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Dr. Michael Johnson
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Degrees
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Bachelors Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (1980)
Masters Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (1983)
Ph.D. Degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia (1989)
Advanced Training in Ericksonian Hypnosis (1998)
Life Coaching Training from the Life Coach Training and Therapist University (2005)
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My Expert Service
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A behavior becomes an addiction when the addict can’t stop despite negative consequences, mood alteration occurs, the addict is in denial, the behavior is chronic and escalating, and withdrawal symptoms appear when the behavior is stopped. Compulsive sexual behavior involves these five elements.
1. Can’t stop despite negative consequences: Sex addicts may suffer the loss of valued relationships, employment, money, and even legal consequences, yet continue to "act out" their addiction.
2. Mood alteration: Sexual excitement and behavior are mood altering. The difference between non addicts and addicts is that addicts use the mood-alteration to deal with difficult emotions and situations.
3. Denial: Sex addicts rationalize, minimize, and excuse their compulsive behavior: The addict distorts reality without realizing it. Denial justifies continuing the behavior. Usually, only significant, negative consequences fracture the denial.
4. Chronic and escalating acting out: Sex addiction is not a phase; it is chronic. The addict needs increasing "quantity" to fill the need. The increased dose may be achieved by intensified behavior, more frequent behavior, or both.
5. Occurrence of withdrawal symptoms: Research with sex addicts finds that they often have many of the same withdrawal symptoms as alcohol and drug addicts. These include sleeplessness, intrusive dreams, high levels of anxiety, irritability, and roller coaster emotions.
In summary, it is clear that compulsive sexual behavior has all the elements that make up an addictive disorder.
The seeds of sex addiction are sown in childhood and often include ingrained ritualistic patterns that are hard to break without help. Shaming experiences involving sexuality along with other abuse set the stage for the development of addictive sexual behaviors in adolescence. "Feeling bad" comes to be associated with "feeling good".
The good news is that recovery from sex addiction can be successful, especially if the addict follows the tested methods of addiction recovery: going to 12-Step meetings, working with a therapist, and sometimes entering a treatment program.
The Impact on Intimacy & Trust
When sexual addiction emerges in a relationship, a crisis occurs for couples. Typically, partners of addicts have "gut instincts" about relationship issues and sex. Partners often spend months or years trying to get the addict to share their inner world. Addicts cover their guilt and shame by turning the tables and making their partners feel "crazy". This fosters mistrust and deception. One partner is preoccupied with sexualizing their world while the other is preoccupied with the addict’s thoughts, feelings, and activities. Often both partners withdraw emotionally and physically.
Typically, co-sexual partners want to know everything. The addict wants to say, "I’m sorry, let’s start over", and distance from their sexual acting out behavior. Exposure of the addiction surfaces great shame and guilt. This is difficult for partners to understand.
Co-partners often experience abandonment, betrayal, and rejection. They feel hurt and angry. Statements like, "How can you say you love me" or" our whole marriage has been a lie…" are common. Initially, the addict’s discovery of their sexual addiction and efforts to change carry little weight for the partner. Communication is strained, and both partners feel misunderstood and alone.
However, many couples feel relief in naming the problem – sexual addiction. The "addiction model" offers hope and provides a foundation as couples acknowledge issues of betrayal, trust, and emotional and physical safety. By understanding the causes and consequences of sexual addiction, couples can rebuild trust, as well as develop a healthy sense of self and sexuality.
I have been working with sex addicts for nearly 10 years. While not everyone I work with gets completely sober, many do, and nearly everyone improves in meaningful ways.
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Experience & Qualifications
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Bachelors Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (1980)
Masters Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (1983)
Ph.D. Degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia (1989)
Advanced Training in Ericksonian Hypnosis (1998)
Life Coaching Training from the Life Coach Training and Therapist University (2005)
I am a license psychologist in Texas (25085). I have worked in private practice for 20 years and have operated my own private practice since 1994.
I also taught in colleges and universities for 20 years. The courses I taught included abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, personality theories, the psychology of humor, and personal development.
courses for 20 years
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Available Modes Of Communication
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Contact
Dr. Michael Johnson
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