In San Jose, California, thousands of adults struggle with compulsive sexual behavior. National studies estimate that sex addiction impacts 3% to 6% of U.S. adults, or roughly 10-20 million people.
This behavior often involves harmful secrecy and sequences that can harm one’s mental health and relationships. Fortunately, help is available through Dr. Invia – an LMFT and CSAT (certified sexual addiction therapist) in California.
This guide is designed to help you gain a better understanding of sex addiction and find the support you need to take control of your life. Book a FREE, confidential consultation with Dr. Invia today to find the right support you need.
Compulsive sexual behavior is driven primarily by the pursuit of physical sensation, which differs significantly from love addiction's excessive emotional dependence, or pornography addiction's reliance on hypersexualized imagery.
Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, where a person is dependent on the substance, compulsive sexual behavior involves repeated behavioral patterns; however, both addictions target the brain's pleasure and reward center.
Here’s a tabular comparison to better understand the difference:
Category | Sex Addiction | Love Addiction | Porn Addiction |
Core Focus | Physical Encounters | Romantic Intensity | Visual Stimulation |
Primary Driver | Compulsive Acts | Emotional Craving | Escapism And Ritual |
Common Behavior | Risky Sexual Behaviors, Multiple Partners | Unhealthy Relationship Cycling | Excessive Consumption |
Substance Link (causing the behavior) | Less Direct | Less Direct | Less Direct |
Treatment Focus | Impulse Control, Trauma | Self-worth, Impulse Control, Boundaries, Trauma | Habit Disruption, Impulse Control, Reality Connection, Trauma |
Learn more about recognizing porn addiction patterns in our guides: The Complete Guide on Porn Addiction and Porn Addiction Signs.
The acceptance of sex addiction as a diagnosis is still debated. The DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association) does not list it as a mental health condition; however, it is recognized by the World Health Organization’s ICD-11 as Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD).
Many therapists acknowledge Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) with these persistent patterns:
The lack of universal agreement does not diminish the real suffering caused by compulsive behavior. For a deeper exploration of symptoms, see our article: Am I a Sex Addict?
Compulsive patterns typically arise as a way of coping with stress, trauma or emotional pain, but unfortunately, they can spiral out of control. The consequences often ripple outward, affecting many areas of life:
This cycle of compulsivity creates profound loneliness in all areas of life, which makes the need for compassionate support more necessary.
Before beginning therapy, many clients expressed that they felt stuck, like one of our patients, a professional in the Bay Area, who felt they were about to lose everything.
With consistent support and commitment, we begin to see meaningful change and transformation unfold over time.
Some of the benefits to expect include:
Keep in mind that progress is unique for everyone, but change is possible. You can find more success stories of professionals who found relief through our client reviews.
Successful recovery usually results from a combination of professional support and your personal commitment to healing. Here are some treatment options for sex addiction in California:
Therapeutic methods like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (CBT) can help with your triggers and provide coping skills. Methods like EMDR are also very useful in processing trauma, while activities such as Mindfulness offer a good approach to reducing impulsiveness.
While not the main treatment, it may be used to manage co-occurring depression or OCD symptoms if present. However, this requires professional psychiatric (medical doctor) consultation for proper use.
Alongside therapy, you can also strengthen your recovery by using stress-reducing practices, setting healthy boundaries, and engaging in support groups (e.g., SAA).
Ultimately, a therapist will determine which solution or combination of methods is best for your situation. Contact Dr. Invia for a Confidential Sex Addiction consultation today.
San Jose Counseling is led by Dr. Invia, a sex addiction therapist in California who holds dual certification as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
This qualification enables Dr. Invia to offer specialized insights into both compulsive behaviors and relational healing, helping individuals regain control and couples rebuild love after emotional damage.
With the help of a carefully selected team of professionals, we offer:
We walk alongside you, using proven strategies to create lasting change, right here in our community. Contact San Jose Counseling for specialized help today!
For families affected by addiction, Family Systems Therapy helps to address relational patterns that exist. Typically, when trust is broken, Betrayal Trauma Therapy is recommended. However, the approach depends on your specific conditions, which is why you need professional consultation first.
Costs will vary depending on the session length and insurance coverage. We accept most PPO plans and offer sliding-scale fees for self-pay clients. Contact us for a personalzed estimate on what these costs could look like based on your situation.
"Family therapy" focuses on addressing deeper relational patterns or mental health concerns clinically. On the other hand, "counseling" often refers to a family dealing primarily with a situational issue (e.g., family conflict related to parenting). While both modes involve guided conversations, therapy offers more structured interventions.
Therapy success depends on your readiness, therapist-client compatibility, and consistency. A co-occurring issue or condition such as untreated trauma or a medical condition may impede progress. Sometimes, a different therapeutic approach is necessary if the previous process yielded no result.
Dr. Invia A. Betjoseph is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC 44618.
As a psychotherapist, a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and a Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), he provides Psychotherapy, Counseling, and Sex Addiction Treatment for Sexual Addiction and Pornography or Porn Addiction.
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