Namasté's Sexual Recovery Program
DISCOVERY, RECOVERY, INTIMATE CONNECTIONS
Phase I: Discovery
During Phase I of our sexual recovery program, individuals and their partners identify and process the shock, denial, anger, grief, and mental and physical symptoms related to the out of control sexual behavior that has damaged the relationship. This is often the crisis management/resolution phase of recovery where both individuals in the relationship need extra support in order to comprehend the array of emotions and physical symptoms that they are experiencing. Many couples request an intake together only to find out that they are not stable enough yet to work in couples therapy and both need the support of their own clinician (often an ASAT or CSAT) and group. Therefore, in Phase I each person works with an assigned therapist and attends weekly group to gain mental and emotional stability prior to incorporating couples therapy.
Phase II: Recovery
During Phase II of our sexual recovery program, individuals and their partners start to come to terms with the reality, impact, and magnitude of the out of control sexual behavior that has torn their relationship apart. If both people in the relationship are committed to healing, they are often observed as working diligently on their own recovery via individual therapy and group by incorporating Carnes' Task Based Model (for sex/porn addicts) or the wealth of tools and support provided to partners via Facing Heartbreak (Carnes, S., Lee, M., Rodriguez, A.) including other supplemental resources. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems) model is incorporated into the treatment process to explore family of origin, trauma re-enactment and ego/feeling states that potentially impact one's coping. Disclosure is typically done during this phase of treatment when both parties are stable. We also begin to incorporate once per month couples therapy; communication, boundaries, and the dynamics surrounding intimacy are often addressed during this phase.