Partners of Sex Addicts

Discovering that your partner has been hiding compulsive sexual behavior can shake your sense of trust, safety and security. Without the right help, many partners fall through the cracks: the recovery process can seem so focused on the addict that you are left feeling abandoned and betrayed all over again.

Therapy for partners is specialized counseling for you. It offers support, education, and guidance as you cope with the impact on your own emotional and mental health.

Request a Consultation Fees and insurance

Who it's for

Anyone whose partner struggles with compulsive sexual behavior, whether you have just found out or have known for a long time.

Common concerns

  • Feelings of betrayal, shame, anger or sadness
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks or nightmares
  • Feeling constantly on alert
  • Low self-esteem
  • Difficulty trusting your partner and others
  • Trouble connecting in close relationships
  • Sleep problems, appetite changes or headaches

What to expect

Many of these reactions are symptoms of trauma. Partners can experience betrayal trauma, and sometimes post-traumatic stress (PTSD), which is why specialized care with a trained therapist matters.

We start by helping you feel safe and stable. From there we help you understand the trauma, how it connects with anything you have been through before, and how to manage triggers and intrusive thoughts.

How we work

We use a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach that also looks at attachment styles and attachment injuries. You will learn about the nature of your partner's addiction, and about how trauma and addiction affect each other.

A big part of the work is setting healthy boundaries: clear expectations, ways to communicate, and a plan for managing triggers. The aim is to build resilience, regain a sense of control and develop a stronger sense of self, both within the relationship and outside it.

Therapists who offer Partners of Sex Addicts

A therapist on the Waitlist isn't taking new clients right now. You can still choose them in your consultation request.

  • Stevie Cotet

    PhD, LPC-S, CSAT-S, CCTP

    Works with couples and individuals facing betrayal, compulsive sexual behavior and sexual concerns. Author of the Relational Empathy Assessment (REA). Direct, collaborative and accepting.

    Waitlist

  • Moe Hamdan

    LPC Associate, MS, NCC, CCTP-II Supervised by Stevie Cotet

    Works with individuals, couples and adolescents facing compulsive sexual behavior, betrayal and trauma, emotional dysregulation and addiction. Intentionally direct, deliberate and honest.

    Accepting

  • Emma Watts

    LPC Associate, MS, CSAT Candidate Supervised by Stevie Cotet

    Works with individuals and couples facing relationship concerns, sex addiction and its impact on partners, and trauma. Compassionate yet direct, creative and nonjudgmental.

    Accepting

Common questions

Is what I'm feeling normal?

Strong reactions such as intrusive thoughts, feeling on alert, trouble sleeping and anger are common after discovering a partner's compulsive sexual behavior. Many are symptoms of trauma, which is why specialized support helps.

Can I come on my own?

Yes. Therapy for partners focuses on you and your healing, within the relationship or outside it.

Is there help for my partner too?

Yes. We work with people struggling with compulsive sexual behavior, and with couples.

Read about Sex Addiction Counseling

Start with a free consultation

Send a consultation request and we'll get back to you to arrange a free 10–⁠15 minute phone call with a therapist. It's a chance to ask questions and see if we're a good fit.

Request a Consultation

Or call 469-505-3416