What is “Sex Addiction”?
Sex Addiction (or compulsive sexual behaviours) describes a preoccupation with sexual thoughts and behaviours that can become all-consuming, causing a negative impact on a person’s mental, physical or financial health.
Like other compulsive patterns, out-of-control sexual behaviours often develop as a way of coping with difficult situations or feelings. You might find yourself using sexual thoughts and behaviours for comfort, escapism, excitement or temporary relief.
Over time, what started as a coping mechanism can develop into something that feels impossible to change on your own.
Sex Addiction vs Compulsive Sexual Behaviours
In the therapeutic context, Psychotherapists, Psychosexual and Relationship therapists and other professionals in the field are moving away from the term “addiction” when it comes to treating out-of-control sexual behaviours.
While “sex addiction” is the common label for such experiences, professional bodies such as the DSM-5 do not recognise compulsive sexual behaviours as an addiction.
For those who engage in out-of-control sexual activities, these behaviours tend to be understood as rooted in underlying experiences of anxiety, depression or trauma and other mental health challenges, rather than rooted in the addiction itself.
High Libido or Sex Addiction?
The pattern becomes problematic when a dependency develops.
You spend increasing amounts of time thinking about sex or engaging in sexual activity. You need more to feel the same emotional high. Afterwards, you might feel low, detached, isolated—which leads back to the very behaviours causing the problem, because you need to block out those negative feelings. What develops is the feeling of being trapped in a cycle that becomes increasingly hard to break.
The secrecy and shame that often accompany these patterns make it difficult to face the reality of what’s happening and seek help. But you’re not alone in this, and the problem is treatable.
Support for Compulsive Sexual Behaviour
Seeking help for compulsive sexual behaviour or sexual addiction takes courage, and it’s one of the most important steps you can take towards making positive changes.
Many people struggle with these patterns, and reaching out doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means you’re ready to make a change.
If you are struggling with compulsive sexual behaviours or sex addiction, you might recognise some of these signs…
- Repeatedly engaging in sexual behaviours despite harm to yourself, your relationships, or other areas of your life
- Time lost to pornography or sex that interferes with work, study, parenting, or other responsibilities
- Escalation in frequency or intensity to achieve the same effect
- Failed attempts to cut back and persistent preoccupation or cravings
- Secrecy, shame or ongoing conflicts in your relationships
- Taking financial risks or facing potential legal exposure
Let’s clear up some common myths:
Myth: “It’s just a high libido.”
Fact: This isn’t about sex drive. It’s about loss of control and negative consequences. Key signs include distress and feeling unable to stop certain behaviours despite wanting to.
Myth: “Therapy means celibacy forever.”
Fact: We focus on helping you develop a healthy, values-aligned approach to your sexuality. Our aim is safety first, but the long-term goal is a fulfilling intimate life that aligns with what matters to you.
Myth: “I should be able to handle this myself.”
Fact: These patterns are often deeply rooted in psychological and emotional needs. Professional support provides us with the tools to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and what motivates our behaviours. Therapeutic support can make meaningful change possible.
How Compulsive Sexual Behaviour can show up
These patterns can take different forms, and we work with the full range of compulsive sexual behaviours:
- Compulsive pornography use or masturbation
- Compulsive dating, hook-ups, or anonymous encounters
- Paid sex or escort services
- Cybersex, sexting, or obsessive flirting online
- Risky behaviours such as unsafe sex or public encounters
Often, these patterns don’t exist in isolation. We commonly see co-occurring issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, OCD traits, or substance use.
Understanding the full picture—including what’s driving the behaviour—is essential to effective treatment.
Pornography as a Compulsive Sexual Behaviour
A regular or compulsive pattern of porn use that causes distress or negatively impacts your daily life can also be understood as a compulsive sexual behaviour.
While the use of pornography can be a healthy expression of sexuality for adults, use of pornography that is out-of-control or compulsive can result in feelings of shame, isolation or self-criticism.
Therapy for porn addiction or compulsive use of porn encourages clients to explore their relationship to pornography with curiosity and without judgement, helping clients to reach a more integrated, congruent relationship with their sexuality.
Our therapeutic approach
At Mind and Body Works, our therapists work from an empathetic, sex-positive, non-judgmental and non-moralistic perspective.
Initial session
Your first session allows you and your therapist to get to know one another and to see if it feels like a good fit.
You will have the opportunity to discuss your background, what’s been happening for you, and what you hope to achieve through therapy.
Modalities we draw on
Therapists at Mind and Body Works use an integrative approach, which means they can tailor their approach to best fit your needs. Some of the therapeutic modalities our psycho-sexual therapists work with to treat sex addiction and compulsive sexual behaviours are:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for working with triggers, urges, and habit loops
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for exploring values, managing shame, and working with cravings
- Trauma-informed therapy and EMDR when past experiences are relevant
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for exploring the past and the unconscious to understand the possible origins of negative behavioural patterns
We can support you in taking the next steps towards longer-term therapeutic supports, too:
- Relapse prevention and skills training to build long-term stability
- Integration with 12-step or SMART Recovery approaches, if that’s something you’re interested in (entirely client-led)
A recovery plan
Together with your therapist, you will be able to develop a personalised plan that includes:
- Clear boundaries and a safety plan
- Practical strategies for device and technology management, including blocking tools if helpful
- A roadmap for healthy sexuality—not just abstinence, but a positive vision for intimate connection
- Lifestyle foundations: sleep, self-regulation, stress management, meaningful connection, nutrition, and movement
Recovery isn’t just about stopping certain behaviours. It’s about understanding what psychological and emotional needs were being met through those behaviours, and finding healthier, more positive ways to meet those needs in your life.
What to expect
First session (50 minutes): We’ll discuss your goals, history, immediate concerns, and initial steps forward.
Between sessions: You will put into practice the tools and exercises that come up for you in therapy. This might include urge-surfing tools, trigger-tracking strategies or other methods of self-regulation.
Typical time-frame: Weekly sessions for 8–12 weeks initially, tapering as stability builds. This is flexible and depends on your specific needs and goals.
Confidentiality: What you share is confidential, with clear legal limits around risk to yourself or others.
Online therapy: We offer secure video sessions. We’ll help you prepare a private space and ensure you feel comfortable with the format.
How long therapy takes will depend on your specific strengths, needs, and therapeutic goals. Some people see meaningful gains within weeks; deeper work may take longer. It begins with acknowledging there’s a problem and taking the courage to seek help.
What our therapists have to say:
“Instead of focusing on suppressing desire, I work with clients to understand what sits beneath their sexual behaviours and what these behaviours may be trying to communicate or soothe. Together, we explore a person’s emotional and relational world – their needs, desires, and values, and what it means to live with a sense of integrity and connection.”
– Psychotherapist, Sex therapist and Couples therapist offering sessions in-person, in Dublin at Mind and Body Works
“I work collaboratively with clients to explore the personal and relational factors that influence their sexual urges and behaviours, as well as any underlying emotional experiences or past traumas that may contribute to patterns of out-of-control sexual behaviour.”
– Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist working online with Mind and Body Works
Support for partners and couples
Compulsive sexual behaviour or sex addiction not only affects the individual, but also affects partners and relationships. We offer support for partners that includes stabilisation, boundary-setting, education, and trauma-sensitive care.
For couples, we can work on disclosure planning, rebuilding trust, improving communication, and addressing intimacy. We understand that this is complex, painful work, and we approach it with care and respect for both partners’ experiences.
Options include:
- Individual therapy for the partner
- Couples therapy
- Referrals to specialist support groups
Fees, insurance, and access
Session fees: The cost of your session depends on the therapist you choose. For individual sex therapy, the rate per session ranges from €80 – €110. For couples therapy the rate per session ranges from €90 – €130.
Insurance: Contact your insurance company to enquire about your specific policy. Our therapists will provide receipts for reimbursement.
Payment and cancellations: Cancellation policies vary by therapist (typically 24–48 hours’ notice). Please ask your therapist about their specific policy so you’re clear from the start.
Accessibility: We have locations in Dublin and Galway, and we offer online therapy throughout Ireland. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know.
Ethical and safety notes
We take a harm reduction stance and respect diverse sexual orientations and expressions. Our approach is non-pathologising, non-moralistic and non-judgmental.
If you’re in crisis: If you’re at immediate risk of harm, please contact your GP, attend A&E, call 999, or contact a local crisis line.
Safeguarding and legal boundaries: We cannot support ongoing illegal activity. If safeguarding concerns arise, we have clear legal obligations we’ll discuss with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is sex addiction “real”?
The term “sex addiction” is contested and is now more commonly referred to as Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder. Whether it’s called sex addiction or sexual addiction or out-of-control sexual behaviours, what matters is whether the behaviour is causing distress, harm, and loss of control. If you think you may be experiencing something like this, we are here to help.
How is this different from a high sex drive?
Compulsive sexual behaviour shows up through loss of control, distress, and negative consequences, not by how often you think about or want sex. The key is whether the behaviour is causing harm and whether you feel unable to stop.
Do I have to be abstinent?
No. We prioritise safety first, and for some people a period of abstinence can be helpful to break patterns and gain clarity. But the long-term aim is healthy, values-based sexuality that enhances your life rather than undermining it.
How long does therapy take?
Many people see meaningful changes within weeks. Deeper work, such as addressing underlying trauma, attachment patterns, or co-occurring mental health issues may take longer. We tailor therapy to your goals and go at the pace that feels manageable for you.
Can therapy be anonymous?
We maintain strict confidentiality. We’ll outline what information we need to collect and what you can choose to share. For online sessions, some therapists can work with first names only if that feels safer for you.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ clients?
Yes. We work with people of all ages, genders, races and sexual orientations. Our couple’s therapists are experienced in working with clients in same-sex relationships, heterosexual relationships, as well as polyamorous or open relationships.
What if I relapse?
Relapse is part of the recovery journey for many people, and it’s an important learning opportunity. We respond without shame, review what happened, update your plan, and strengthen your skills and accountability. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means we adjust and continue.
Do you offer kink-aware therapy?
Yes. We take an affirmative, non-pathologising approach. Consensual kinks are not problems to be fixed. We address behaviour when it’s out of control or causing harm, always within the context of your identity and values.
Additional support:
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous Ireland provides a Twelve Step Group-oriented approach. For more information, see www.slaaireland.org.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by compulsive sexual behaviour or sex addiction, you don’t have to face it alone. Our therapists at Mind and Body Works are here to help. We are based in Dublin and Galway, or online anywhere in Ireland.
Get in touch when you’re ready. We’ll be here.
