Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction

Authors: Douglas Braun-Harvey and Michael A. Vigorito

This groundbreaking book reconsiders popular notions of addictive sex. Braun-Harvey and Vigorito’s sexual health psychotherapy protocol is an innovative treatment approach for men experiencing sexual lives beyond their control. “Out of control sexual behavior” (OCSB) is defined as a sexual health problem in which consensual sexual urges, thoughts, or behaviors feel out of control. As opposed to a clinical disorder, OCSB is framed as a behavioral problem within the normal range of sexual expression. The book provides step-by-step tools for assessment, treatment planning, and implementation stemming from the authors work with hundreds of individual and group therapy clients. OCSB treatment matches individual and group therapy interventions with current motivational interviewing and readiness-for-change research. Further, this approach emphasizes the clinician‚ ethical responsibility to provide the most effective treatment while protecting client sexual rights and welcoming sexual diversity. Rich and varied composite case examples demonstrate clinical sexual health treatment conversations as well as stories of hope and guidance to understand how sexual health is an ally for changing OCSB.