Are you or your partner struggling with sexual addiction?
If you’re looking to improve your mental health and quality of life, you might be looking for a CSAT therapist to help begin the recovery process.
In this article, we’ll review where you can find a qualified CSAT counselor near you both online and in person. We’ll also discuss CSAT therapy in more detail, helping you find the support that feels right for you.
Want to skip right to the suggestions for CSAT therapists? Here are our 5 recommended therapy solutions:
Best CSAT therapist near me/online
Below you will find online CSAT therapy services, helping you get access to the best possible counseling regardless of how many CSAT specialists are in your local area.
You’ll also learn how to find the right CSAT therapist near you if you’re looking for in-person help.
| Provider | Good For | Location | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReGain | Quick match with the right couples therapist for you | Online therapy | $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) |
| Online-therapy.com | Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach | Online therapy | $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month) |
| Calmerry | Individual relationship counseling | Online therapy | $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly) |
| TalkSpace | Relationship counseling, marriage counseling, premarital counseling | Online therapy | Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options |
| CSAT counselor directory | Finding a CSAT therapist near you | In-person therapy | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
1. ReGain
Tailored for individuals and couples navigating relationship or marital issues – ReGain is your online relationship therapy solution. Starting at $65/week, you can schedule one weekly live session and message your therapist anytime. Start your path to healthier connections with ReGain – fill out their online assessment form.
- Good for: Quick match with the right couples therapist for you.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks).
- Features: iOS and Android app available, message your therapist anytime, live sessions are scheduled weekly and done via live chat, phone, or video call.
ReGain offers relationship and marriage counseling services. They specialize in individual and couples counseling, and offer dedicated CSAT therapy services. Each sex addiction therapist either has a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, and their CSAT-certified sex addiction therapists also have the appropriate certification from their home state’s official psychologist or counselor board.
2. Online-therapy.com
Discover transformative online therapy with Online-therapy.com. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Online-therapy.com offers individual and couples support starting at $45/week. Engage in sessions via video, voice, or text for maximum flexibility. Fill out their online questionnaire to get started.
- Good for: Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month).
- Features: Unlimited messaging with your therapist, including a daily journal and activity plan, yoga and meditation videos, and tests to see your progress.
Online-therapy.com has a range of therapists and counselors trained and experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is one of the best approaches to manage and overcome addictions. This platform offers two options for your therapy – individual or couples therapy, according to your preferences.
Read our online-therapy.com review here.
3. Calmerry
Embark on a journey of mental wellness with Calmerry. With diverse subscription options, starting at just $50, Calmerry makes prioritizing your mental health simple and accessible. You can message your therapist any day or schedule a live therapy session from the comfort of your home from any device.
- Good for: Individual relationship counseling.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly).
- Features: Message to your counselor anytime, text therapy and video therapy according to the plan you choose, free counselor switching.
Calmerry is an online counseling platform that uses an evidence-based approach to provide mental health care for its clients. All therapists on the platform are licensed, certified professionals. There is a large number of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists on the platform, and CBT is one of the most effective psychotherapeutic approaches for dealing with sex addiction.
Read our comparison between Calmerry and BetterHelp here.
4. TalkSpace
Tailored to individuals, couples, teens, and offering psychiatry services, Talkspace plans kick off at a wallet-friendly $69 per week. What’s more, many health insurances also cover their services, enhancing accessibility and affordability. Complete a questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.
- Good for: Relationship counseling, marriage counseling, premarital counseling.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options.
- Features: Accepts insurance, pick your therapist from a list of recommendations, live video sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist.
With TalkSpace you can choose a therapist after filling out a questionnaire where you can express your needs and preferences. There, you can check therapists’ profiles and thus verify if they are Certified Sex Addiction Therapists before making your choice.
Read our TalkSpace review here.
5. IITAP website (CSAT counselor directory)
- Good for: Finding a CSAT therapist near you.
- Location: In-person therapy.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Online directory, treatment for individuals and families struggling with addiction and trauma.
On the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) website, there is a therapist near me tab. Here you can fill in your location details and the site will show you nearby CSAT therapists. If you’re looking for in-person support and live in a major city, then the IITAP website is a great place to look for trained CSAT therapy providers.
What is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)?
CSAT is a certification program created by Dr. Patrick Carnes, an expert sexual addiction counselor. The certification provides training in trauma, mental health care, and the treatment of sexual addictions.
A CSAT (or “Certified Sex Addict Therapist”) can help you with:
- Personal urges
- Repairing your relationship after cheating
- Working through the trauma of sex addiction or a partner’s sex addiction
- Pornography addiction
- Compulsive behavior
Certified sex addiction therapists often receive their qualifications by completing a training program run by the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP).
Not just any therapist can join the program and become a CSAT. Dr. Patrick Carnes made this training program with the goal of providing support for those struggling with sexual addictions, and IITAP keeps a strict eye on quality.
A mental health professional can only be accepted into the CSAT training program if they are fully licensed, with at least a master’s degree and a minimum of five years of clinical experience.
Why choose online CSAT therapy?
Making an appointment with a good local CSAT counselor can be difficult, depending on where you live. Getting a booking in person might also require taking time off if you work 9-5.
Online CSAT therapy gives the freedom to get help on your own terms. You can choose to address your sexual issues by phone, text messaging, or live video calls, at a time of day that works for you.
Online CSAT counselors can sometimes be cheaper than in-person counselors. Still, prices of online platforms differ, and they aren’t generally covered by your insurance.
The exact price you’ll have to pay will depend on what is included. Basic packages sometimes only include the ability to text message or chat online, while others also include online video or phone sessions.
In general, an online certified sex addiction therapist can be a great alternative to in-person CSAT therapy. However, if you or your partner poses a potential danger to yourself or someone else, you should see a mental health professional that provides services offline.
A physically abusive relationship poses an immediate threat to physical and mental health and must be treated in person. Call emergency services if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
What is sexual addiction?
Sexual addiction is a loaded term that is used frequently in popular culture.
We sometimes hear about people who suffer from impulsive sexual urges and have no ability to control themselves. There are stories of people losing their job for sexting during work hours or being caught using their work computer to watch porn on the job.
Sex addicts may also search for intimacy or sexual connection in the arms of strangers on a daily basis and immediately feel regret after a one-night stand. While there is no inherent problem with masturbation or having casual sex, it can become problematic if addiction develops.
Sexual addiction is a term in psychology to describe compulsive sexual behaviors. Sexual addiction is not the same as having kinks, fetishes, or cheating. It is not a title that should be used to punish women, LGBTQ+ or other marginalized groups for exploring their sexuality.
Masturbating, watching pornography or exploring your sexual needs with multiple partners are often normal behaviors. When you cannot manage or control these behaviors, it may be worth looking for a CSAT therapist.
How is sexual addiction diagnosed?
Although you might recognize one or more of your behaviors on the above list, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has not yet added “sexual addiction” as an official diagnosis in the United States. Researchers cannot currently diagnose it as an addiction.
However, upon reading the DSM, under the section “hypersexual disorder”, you will find a description of a very similar group of symptoms. Using the DSM-5-TR, the latest DSM version, this similar symptom group can be found under the diagnosis “other specified sexual dysfunction”.
While the American Psychological Association (APA) does not currently provide a separate category for these clinical sexual issues, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) recognizes sexual addiction as an official diagnosis, providing a sign that support is needed. The ICD calls it “compulsive sexual behavior disorder”, although they do not consider it to be an addiction.
Recognition of this diagnosis in the ICD is a big step forward for those struggling with compulsive behavior. This is because the ICD is the diagnostic tool of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The problem with not recognizing sexual addiction as a mental health issue is that the suffering of clients and their family can sometimes be ignored by psychologists. A diagnosis helps to give clients, their family, and addiction therapists tools to treat sexual addiction and any associated trauma.
When to seek help for sexual addiction
Seeking help for sexual addiction might be useful if:
- Your sexual behavior is out of control
- What you’re doing has severely negative consequences on your life
- You can’t stop, although you wish you could (and might have tried multiple times)
- What you’re doing is self-destructive or destructive to your family/sexual partners
- You spend too much time on your sexual activity or fantasy
- You neglect social, occupational or other activities because of it, and your relationships are suffering as a result
- You’re highly distressed
- The issue has been going on for at least 6 months
Looking for a “CSAT therapist near me” can help you get on the road to recovery. If you are struggling with sexual addiction, qualified counselors with the proper certifications can treat you online. With the right counseling, you can begin to get treatment and improve your life and relationships.
Still have questions about CSAT counseling, or are you unsure how to find the best CSAT therapist for your specific needs? Contact us, and one of our team will reply as soon as possible.
