Sexual Addiction Behavior Types (Patrick Carnes)
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According to Patrick Carnes, there are 11 sexual addiction behavior types. This information is important when when working with sexually addictive or codependents or co-addicts of sex addicts. As you will see, sex addiction comes in many forms and types. Anything from the lone web surfer who spends 5 hours a night looking at pornography, to the patron of a prostitute, to the exhibitionist (man in the raincoat), the voyeur, and others.
Sexual Addiction Behavioral Types
1. Fantasy Sex - Sexually charged fantasies, relationships, and situations
o "Sex in the head" - arousal depends on sexual possibility
o The fantasy is preferred over sex
o Fantasies can be all-consuming
o Rarely is sex the goal (unless it's necessary to control an outcome)
2. Seductive Role Sex- Seduction of partners
o Being sexual without being truthful about intentions
o Arousal is based on conquest
o Arousal diminishes after initial contact
o Seduction equals power and control
o Can results in multiple relationships, affairs and/or serial relationships
3. Anonymous Sex -- High-risk sex with unknown persons
o Arousal involves no seduction or costs and is immediate
o Cruising, one-night stands, public baths, peep shows, Craigslist ads, etc.
o No emotional connection
4. Paying for Sex - Purchasing of sexual services
o Arousal is connected to payment of sex
o With time, the arousal is connected to money itself
o Prostitution, phone sex, sexual massages
5. Trading for Sex - Selling or bartering sex for power
o Arousal is based on gaining control of others by using sex as leverage
o Receiving money or drugs for sex
* Making explicit movies/videos, stripping, pimping, and/or drugs for sex
6. Voyeuristic Sex - Visual Arousal
o The use of visual stimulation to escape into an obsessive trance
o Secretive looking or "peeping" to obtain sexual gratification
o Use of pornographic photos, magazines, computer and/or videos to obtain a
fix
7. Exhibitionistic Sex - Attracting attention to the body or sexual parts of the body
o Sexual arousal stems from the viewer's reaction, whether it is shock or
interest
o Exposing oneself to obtain sexual gratification and/or power
o Exposing oneself in public places, at home, in a car
o Wearing clothes designed to expose and titillate
8. Intrusive Sex - Boundary violations without discovery
o "Stealing sex" without the possibility of getting caught
o Sexually touching people in crowds
o Surprising unsuspecting individuals with sexual comments, jokes, and/or
observations
9. Pain Exchange - Being humiliated or hurt as a part of the sexual arousal
o Aroused by sadistic activities, hurting or degrading another sexually
o Or both
* Bondage sex or "S & M" (Sadomasochism)
10. Object Sex - Masturbating with objects
o Cross-dressing
o Uncontrolled use of masturbatory objects: blow-up dolls, latex vaginas,
dildos
o Fetishisms
11. Exploitive Sex -- Exploitation of the vulnerable
o Arousal patterns are based on target "types" of vulnerability
o Force, intimidation, or manipulation may be used
o 30% of male and 14% of female sex addicts have had sex with minors
o Pedophiles are not necessarily sex addicts
o Sex addicts can be pedophiles
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About the Author
Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., LCPC, CADC
Clinical Care Consultants
3325 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Ste 400BrnArlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone:(847) 749-0514
Fax (847) 749-2995
Rossr61@comcast.net
www.Rossr61.snappages.com
www.RossRosenbergTherapist.com
Since 1988, Ross has been an administrator, professional trainer, counselor/psychotherapist, and an administrator in the mental health, social service and/or child welfare fields.
Ross is an established Illinois based professional trainer. Some of Ross’s trainings include
Sex Addiction: from A to Z
Caught in the Web: Cybersex, Romance and Fantasy Addiction
The Continuum of Self: The Attraction betwee
Codependents and Narcissists
Therapy in the 21st Century: Technology’s Influence on Clinical Practice
Over the span of his career, Ross has worked with individuals who struggle with substance abuse, addictions, and co-addictions (Codependency). Ross’s addiction work includes chemical addictions (drugs/alcohol) and process or behavior addictions (sexual addiction, Internet addictions, gambling addictions, and spending addictions. Ross’s addiction services include counseling or all types, assessments, and professional consultation and training. Ross in considered an expert in the field of Sex Addictions and Internet Addictions, for which he provides comprehensive counseling services, training, and consultation.
Ross is well known in the local community for his work with hard to reach and oppositional adolescents. Typical issues with his adolescent clients include ADD / ADHD, drugs/alcohol, school challenges, anger control, eating disorders, self-mutilation, communication problems, and family struggles. Ross's work with teens also includes a family/parent focus, whether it is coaching, counseling / psychotherapy, or support.
Ross's work spans problem type, culture, ethnicity, gender, socio economic status, and sexual orientation. Some areas that Ross specializes in include: Marriage/Marital Counseling, Addictions, Codependency (Co-Addictions), Depression, Anxiety, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), Challenging Teens, Grief and Bereavement, Trauma Survivors (PTSD), Marital and Family Conflict, and LGBTQ issues
Ross's counseling / psychotherapy work with Codependency has enabled his clients to achieve balance, mutuality, and feelings of respect and appreciation in their lives. Balancing the care of others with the equally important ability to care for oneself is the cornerstone of codependency counseling / psychotherapy. Ross’s Codependency services includes individual, family, couples and/or marital therapies.
Ross's work with adult survivors of trauma and abuse enables his clients to break free from lifelong self-destructive patterns. His healing approach addresses "original wounds" (trauma of the past) which, without resolution, perpetuate emotional pain, suffering, and unsatisfying and dysfunctional relationships. This type of trauma counseling / psychotherapy promotes positive/healthy relationships, a heightened sense of well-being, and feelings of safety, control and happiness.
Another service provided is counseling and coaching for clients with ADD/ADHD. Ross provides assessment, diagnostic and a full range of ADD/ADHD psychotherapeutic services. Ross's collaboration with family members, medical, school, and employment personnel, creates a greater opportunity for success in the treatment of this disorder. Other ADD/ADHD services include coaching that addresses the following challenges unique to this disorder: communication, organization and follow-through, relationship and family challenges, work demands, and school demands.
Grief, loss, and death and dying are difficult issues that Ross helps his clients work through. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, job, lifestyle, or one’s health, vitality and even life, Ross guides his clients through difficult and often heart-wrenching times. Embracing diversity / cultural competence has been a cornerstone of Ross's practice
Ross's counseling / psychotherapy style has been described as solution focused, analytical, and educational while also being warm, intuitive, healing, spiritual, and compassionate. Ross's spirituality and metaphysical understanding enables him to reach people with diverse religious and spiritual beliefs. According to Ross, "for every problem, there is a solution; and within a warm and respectful therapeutic relationship lies the power to overcome the most seemingly overwhelming obstacles."
I provide psychotherapy, evaluations (ADD, addictions/substance abuse), supervision, consultation, training, and business coaching. Some of my specialties include: challenging teens, parenting issues, substance abuse, addictions, codependency or co-addictions, ADD, adult survivors of childhood abuse or neglect, trauma survivors, depression and/or anxiety, and grief and bereavement. As an expert in the field of sex addiction and sex co-addiction, I provide a variety of professional services.
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