Sex therapy
Sex is a very personal thing, and talking about it can be embarrassing. But talking is often the best thing you can do to improve your sex life. It's natural to want better sex and sometimes there are specific psychological or medical reasons for your difficulties.
Our sex therapists are difficult to shock, and are trained in highly effective ways of tackling many issues in a safe and friendly environment. They will help you explore the reasons behind the problem and look at ways of addressing it.
Our psychosexual therapy service is highly successful, with 93% of both men and women who completed treatment reporting a significant improvement in their sexual relationship.
Sex and porn addiction
Sex addiction is a term that describes any sexual behaviour that feels 'out of control'. It's not the behaviour itself that defines it as an addiction but rather the dependency on it to numb out negative emotions and difficult experiences.
As with all addictions, most people with sex addiction will have tried to stop or limit their behaviour on many occasions - but in spite of continuing harmful consequences to self and others, they can't reliably stay stopped.
For example
- Compulsive masturbation
- Compulsive use of pornography
- Having multiple, ongoing affairs
- Exhibitionism
- Fetishes
- Dangerous sexual practices
- Prostituion
- Anonymous sex
- Voyeurism
- Telephone sex
- Chat room/online sex
- Partner sex
- Illegal sexual practices
Sex and porn addiction recovery group
This Recovery Group aims to help men develop strategies to stop the behaviours associated with the compulsion (addiction). It is not intended to replace individual and/or couple therapy or Twelve Step programmes, but rather augment them.
Group work provides a different but very effective way to access support for any form of compulsive behaviour or addiction. The course is not designed as a therapy group but is a course designed to support change through learning more about the effects of the behaviour, understanding personal triggers and developing alternative ways of coping without the reliance on porn or other sexual behaviours. It will mean sharing personal experiences and feelings which is part of the process that leads to change.
How do I take part?
The next group is TBC but will take place on Fridays for 14 weeks between 3-5pm – there is also a weekend – all day Saturday and Sunday halfway through the course. In total there is up to 46 hours of participation. The course costs are £1800 per person, and this can be paid for in several ways including by direct debit over a 10-month period.
The course is facilitated by two trained, qualified, and accredited therapists and is available for up to 8 men to attend. Participants can attend from anywhere but do need to be able to get to the centre of Nottingham for the meetings.
For an assessment to suitability or for further information please contact the centre on 01159584278 between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday or email: info@relate-nottingham.org.uk
What should you do if you think you or your partner has a problem?
First and foremost you need to talk to each other. Many people with addiction go through a period of denial before they feel able to accept that the problem really is an addiction that has got out of control. If you or your partner accepts that there is a problem then you need to find help for both of you.
Talk to us at Relate. Our experienced counsellors will undertake an initial assessment to see if you or your partner would benefit from specialist sex addiction help. For most people suffering from sex or porn addiction, this is the best course of action.
You can ask about getting help and support for yourself either through individual counselling or a group support programme. As well as your local Relate Centre, you can find specialist sex addiction help for addicts and partners through the Association for the Treatment of Sex Addiction & Compulsivity. If your partner doesn’t accept, or believe, that they have a problem then you can still reach out for help and support for yourself.
The problem may not be addiction, but if it’s something that’s affecting your happiness then you can still benefit from talking to a counsellor about how you can move forward.
How we can help
If you're worried about your sex life, there are various ways we can help. Talk to us about your concerns or questions on 0115 958 4278 or email us in confidence at recovery@relate-nottingham.org.uk.