There is effective help for men dealing with sexual addiction in Portland, OR by Christian counselors. We'd like to share with you some beginning information about 'sexual addiction.' In our approach we prefer the term 'sexual brokenness' to 'sexual addiction' because the opposite of addiction is being 'sober,' whereas the opposite of 'sexual brokenness' is 'sexual wholeness.' The goal of healing, for us, is not an endless goal of sobriety, but for a man to enjoy a healthy masculine strength via a sexuality that is shared with his wife in complete celebration for both partners.

Sexual brokenness involves unwanted thoughts and sexual behaviors that fall short of God's intention for authentic human sexuality - which in itself is a wonderful spiritual gift. Oftentimes these unwanted thoughts and behaviors become persistent patterns that are impossible to stop by sheer will-power, or what we call 'white-knuckling it.' Recent scientific research has shown that conscious choice alone cannot stop these patterns from happening because they are deeply established in the brain as favorite neuro-pathways. This means the brain seeks pleasurable experiences despite the consequences of painful inner conflict; broken relationships or marriages; and deeply felt shame.

The most devastating part of sexual brokenness for men isn't necessarily the viewing of pornography; visiting strip bars; or using prostitutes; or what is called 'sexual acting-out,' although each activity violates a sacred trust and can be harmful in unforeseen ways.

The most destructive part of these activities is lying to oneself and then to one's partner. The foundations of complete mistrust become firmly established. Any chance of recovery is shattered by self-deceit and irrational thinking.

At the heart of sexual brokenness resides an excruciating sense of shame. What most men don't realize is that there is a difference between a healthy sense of shame and unhealthy sense of shame. To these men, all shame is the same. Yet there are differences in shame. A God-given healthy sense of shame permits a man to realize, through personal pain, that a relational injury has happened. That personal hurt should form the basis of repair in a marital relationship. But if unhealthy shame is present, the man cannot make use of the personally experienced sense of pain to repair relationship but rather, feels totally defective and chooses to avoid or deny all pain and returns to the very activity that causes the break in relationship in the first place - a repeat of sexual brokenness through shameful enactments.

The simple reality is that a man cannot heal himself in these matters! We wish we could say otherwise. Put differently, if you believe you will simply stop your unhealthy patterns by yourself one day in the future you are deceiving yourself and delaying a truly healthy relationship with your wife. At Portland Christian Counseling and Oregon Christian Counselors we are dedicated to helping you move from sexual brokenness to sexual wholeness. Give your wife the gift of sexual purity that you both deserve. And we have helped very many men do so. Repair of sexual brokenness is possible. Dr. Rob Piehl and colleagues remind you that God desires health, wholeness, and holiness for you and your family.

Please feel free to give us a call at (503) 750-1701 or go to PortlandChristianCounseling.net or OregonChristianCounselors.com