Sex Addiction

How it shows up

There’s a real difference between enjoying an active sex life and feeling dependent on sexual activity for emotional relief. Signs that point toward a more compulsive pattern include:

• Seeking frequent casual sex or having affairs, even in a committed relationship
• Excessive use of pornography that interferes with daily life
• Wanting to stop but feeling unable to
• Using sex as a distraction or coping mechanism for stress
• Needing more frequent encounters to get the same “high”
• Feeling guilt or shame afterward, or spending excessive time planning encounters
• Missing work or important events because of it

This pattern can affect anyone, and it can stay dormant for years before something triggers it.

How hypnotherapy helps

Hypnotherapy for sex addiction focuses on the addiction itself along with whatever tends to trigger it — a stressful day, a specific place, a particular emotion. During sessions, you’ll work through what those triggers are and learn to recognize the moment before the compulsive response kicks in.

Deep relaxation techniques are used to reduce the tension that often fuels the urge, making it easier to replace old, automatic thought patterns with healthier ones — and to plan out different responses for the moments when temptation shows up.

What a session looks like

Every client starts with a free, private consultation. Sessions after that are $150, available at Pattie’s Scottsdale office or remotely by Zoom for added privacy and comfort.

Common questions

Is this confidential? Yes — sessions are private, and many clients find the remote Zoom option adds an extra layer of comfort for a sensitive topic.

Does this address porn addiction too? Yes — porn and love addiction are addressed using a similar approach, since they share the same underlying compulsive pattern.

Will my partner need to be involved? No, this work focuses on your own patterns and triggers, though it can support healing within a relationship over time.