Sex addiction is becoming more visible during these times of online dating sites, porn websites, Facebook and SMS technology.
It is becoming increasingly easier to meet new people online and to develop a relationship with them without even meeting them.
Some of these online liaisons can lead to fulfilling and meaningful relationships while others can lead to risky flings or cyber sex.
Whilst most of my clients who present with sexual addiction issues tend to actually engage in physical sexual activity with other people, an increasing number are having what they refer to as online flings.
Online flings often take the form of explicit sexual conversations with strangers via online (text) chat, video chat and sometimes telephone conversations and participants often exchange erotic photographs of themselves.
These online flings can be very destructive should the people involved be already in offline relationships. Most clients who present for counselling because of a reported difficulty in stopping such flings, have been found out by their partners and are genuinely trying to stop.
In many cases, these clients show addictive traits to their behaviour as would a heroin addict or a problem gambler. Therefore I tend to help them by educating them around addiction, the stages of change model and different ways of treatment.
I also look at what difficult feelings of memories such behaviour might be helping them to avoid. Therefore, treating both the symptoms and the cause can lead to clients stopping their addictive behaviour and moving forward with their lives without shame or guilt.
About Amima Counselling
At Amima we believe that mental and emotional issues should be treated with the same level of openness as physical health. We aim to remove the stigma attached to receiving treatment for mental or emotional issues.
We deliver lasting results with real benefits. We provide our clients with the tools to defuse and prevent situations. We improve the lives of our clients and the lives of those around them.
For inquiries or bookings, please call 3514 9170 or visit our website at www.amima.com.au.
