Over the last decade or so, the term “sex addiction” has become a hot topic in the media and the therapy world. Men and/or their partners who are disturbed by their porn habits often call themselves “sex addicts.”  The problem with this is that it has caused otherwise normal urges, thoughts, and behaviors to be pathologized.

As a member of AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists), I stand by their statement regarding out of control sexual behavior.

“AASECT recognizes that people may experience significant physical, psychological, spiritual and sexual health consequences related to their sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors. AASECT recommends that its members utilize models that do not unduly pathologize consensual sexual behaviors. AASECT 1) does not find sufficient empirical evidence to support the classification of sex addiction or porn addiction as a mental health disorder, and 2) does not find the sexual addiction training and treatment methods and educational pedagogies to be adequately informed by accurate human sexuality knowledge. Therefore, it is the position of AASECT that linking problems related to sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors to a porn/sexual addiction process cannot be advanced by AASECT as a standard of practice for sexuality education delivery, counseling or therapy.”

Treating out of control sexual behaviors involves CBT to identify, explore, and correct false beliefs about sex.