It’s All A Lie: Helping Couples Heal from Sexual Addiction and Betrayal Trauma
Heather Seguin, LMFT
Summary:
Sex and porn addiction have gotten a lot of media attention, but what does it really look like? We’ll discuss the dynamics of sex addiction and how it impacts committed relationships. We will focus on distinguishing sex addiction from hurtful behaviors as well as understanding the traumatic impact on betrayed partners. You’ll be able to use the acronym PATHOS to identify addictive behaviors, help partners create boundaries to rebuild trust, guide each partner to an appropriate support network, and alleviate some of the shame that permeates these couples. Many couples choose to stay together and, when both are committed to recovery, develop stronger relationships than they’d had previously. You will learn how to hold hope for them through that journey.
Objectives:
Participants will learn how to:
1. Use PATHOS criteria for assessing sexual addiction
2. Normalize traumatic impact of betrayal for partners of sex addicts
3. Utilize the Boundaries Script for couples to rebuild safety
4. Combat toxic shame and connect couples with 12 step support
Bio:
Heather Seguin is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist in Upland, CA. She has practiced psychotherapy since 2007 and specialized in sex addiction and partner trauma since 2013. Heather specializes in couples, having completed level 3 of the Gottman Method training and is also training to be an AASECT certified sex therapist through the Buehler Institute.