30-Minute Consultation for Sex Addiction
Simply launching into sex addiction counseling, especially if you have never pursued therapy before, can be intimidating. And for good reason. The very act of reaching out to someone you don’t know for help requires a healthy dose of vulnerability and courage, two traits that men with a sex addiction can struggle with.
An initial meeting to get a feel for counseling
Many men feel anxiety at the thought of talking about their sexual behavior with someone, even if that someone is a trained therapist and Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (or CSAT). They may fear being judged, or told they are crazy, or they simply may not want to face the shame and regret over their choices as well as the heartache they have caused their wives and loved ones. Before talking with a therapist, prospective clients may wonder: Is there hope for me? Is sex addiction real or just an excuse? Will my therapist think I’m sick in the head? Will I be able to trust him? What will the process be?
It is for all these reasons that I am happy to offer prospective clients a zero-pressure free 30-minute consultation, either in-person, via telehealth, or phone call to discuss the possibility of therapy. It’s a great way to get a feel for what counseling will be like and figuring out if you can comfortable enough opening up about parts of your story that you may have shame over.
During the consultation I may conduct a brief assessment on the presence of addiction. For example, if you have tried to stop the unwanted sexual behaviors before and if they have escalated over time. I may also ask you about depression and anxiety symptoms, which are very common at the beginning of treatment. Other issues discussed are your relationship status if applicable, goals for counseling, and other issues, like work, living situation and previous therapy.
The consultation is also a time for me to share about my approach to treating sexual addiction. I will introduce the books and materials I use with clients as well as my general ten-fold structure for treatment and the modalities and interventions I utilize. Any remaining questions that prospective clients have at this point are answered to better determine if Threshold Counseling is a good fit.
What’s the consultation for?
Next steps: paperwork & first session
If, for whatever reason, your goals for therapy are not within Nick’s wheelhouse, he may refer you to another counselor with the specialties and training that better align with what you need to get you headed in the right direction.
At the end of the consultation, you can decide to move forward with counseling or you can postpone decision-making if you’d like to speak with your wife or partner first or you want to consult other therapists. If you do end up choosing Threshold Counseling, you can simply call or email Nick to request to schedule your first session. Regardless, there is zero pressure.
Next steps are scheduling your first session (which you can do at the end of the consultation) and completing the informed consent and other paperwork. Paperwork must be read and signed anytime before your first session, which Nick sends to you electronically to your email. Inquire further if you have any other specific questions (or see the Frequently Asked Questions page).
Skipping the consultation
Although 90% of Threshold clients start with a consultation, it’s not required. Many decide to jump into the work after a simple phone call or because they were referred by a trusted professional, pastor or colleague, which is absolutely fine. The consultation is there for the taking, but it’s optional.
A word to parents of minors
Many parents seek out sexual addiction help for their son. If that’s you, you may be wondering if I work with minors. Yes, I do. And the consultation is a great way to explore if Threshold Counseling could be a good fit for your family.
As a parent, you of course want to make certain that your son is working with someone that is aligned with your values and can offer him the support and guidance he needs. So please, bring your questions to the consultation and we can explore the therapeutic option together. I am also happy to just meet with the parents initially, or to have your son present as well. Inquire with me if you have any questions.
Let’s look at the schedule
Scheduling the free 30-minute consultation for a sexual addiction is the best way to determine whether or not treatment at Threshold Counseling makes sense for you and what you’re looking for. If you have any further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact me at your convenience via phone or email. I’d be happy to chat with you.