Therapists’ Assessments in Treating “Sex Addiction” and Their Relationship to Clients’ Gender, Relationship Status, and Exclusivity Status

• Published in: Journal of marital and family therapy Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 537 - 553
• Main Authors: Reddick, Geoffrey T., Heiden‐Rootes, Katie M., Brimhall, Andrew S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-2017
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Behavior, Addictive; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Psychotherapy; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners
• ISSN: 0194-472X; 1752-0606
• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12210

A total of 208 therapists and therapists‐in‐training were surveyed to better understand if clinical assessments and recommendations regarding “sex addiction” changed based upon a client's gender, relationship status, or exclusivity status. Using clinical vignettes, this study examined the clinical assessment and recommendations of licensed mental health providers (n = 92) and mental health providers in‐training (n = 116). Results indicated that professional ratings differed based on relationship exclusivity and gender; specifically, female nonmonogamous behavior was rated more negatively than male nonmonogamous behavior, while male monogamous behavior was rated more negatively than female monogamous behavior. Recommendations for treatment varied, with higher addiction ratings leading to greater odds of recommending individual, group, and community support over relational therapy. Clinical and training implications are discussed.
Video accessible by clicking here.
Video accessible by clicking here.