What is a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT)?

ByRachel McDonald

Choosing a therapist is like choosing a pair of shoes. If you are going on a long hike up a mountain, you need hiking boots, not flip-flops. If you are going to dance ballet, you need ballet slippers, not ice skates. And just like shoes, certain therapists are better qualified to help you conquer certain tasks.

When choosing a therapist, you must first ask yourself why you are seeking therapy, then choose a therapist who is an expert in treating clients with that same challenge. If you are navigating sexual addiction and affair recovery, a fully-certified CSAT will be your hiking boots for the mountain you will climb.

CSATs are highly-trained trauma treatment specialists who help clients work through issues that untrained clinicians may leave unaddressed. CSATs understand the underlying wounds, experiences, patterns, and trauma that can lead to sexual addiction. Those struggling with sexual addiction need an experienced and skilled therapist who understands and can treat the root causes of their addiction and walk them from the helpless cycle of addiction to an enriched, sexually-healthy life with renewed emotional intimacy. Those who have recovered from sexual addiction often say that, while they would never wish their addiction on anyone, they would wish their therapeutic recovery on everyone because of the freedom and strong relationships it produces.

To the sex addict:

You love your partner. You love your family. But do you continue to struggle with sexual addiction, pornography addiction, sexual acting out, and repeated affairs? You feel shame.

Is there hope?

To the partner:

You are the partner of a sex addict. You love them, but their behavior has wounded and traumatized you, leaving you with symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  You are in crisis! You are in shock! You’re wondering if affair recovery is possible. Can your partner stop these behaviors? Is there hope?

CSATs are experts, uniquely qualified to treat clients with sexual addiction. Sexual addiction is just that—an addiction—and one of a CSAT’s goals is to separate the person from the addiction. Not only will this separation allow the person struggling with sexual addiction to begin to heal the loneliness and secret shame often felt, but this distinction can also help the betrayed partner see through the fog of their betrayal trauma.

How does a CSAT treat a couple?

A CSAT is trained to guide couples through structured disclosures (with or without polygraphs) as well as processing the grief and loss caused by the addiction, rebuilding trust, healing from betrayal trauma, and reestablishing emotional intimacy. CSATs also facilitate couples’ renewal and enrichment after healing. Affair recovery is possible.

Partners of those who have recovered from sexual addiction would never choose the darkness of betrayal trauma, but they can rejoice in the outcomes of recovery therapy, including deepened emotional intimacy, healthy boundaries, and enriched relationships.

Why is it important to see a CSAT for sexual addiction?

Clients and couples dealing with sexual addiction who are not working with CSATs often find they only receive a partial solution to their problem. Because of the multi-layer, multi-generational, and multi-trauma nuances of sexual addiction, many professional clinicians are not direct or assertive enough to treat an issue like sexual addiction and do not have the experience needed to deal with this complex issue.

To earn full CSAT credentials, therapists must first be master’s-level clinicians. Then they must complete the CSAT certification process, which is broken into two parts. First, therapists must complete four one-week-long training sessions at the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). These sessions have been designed by Dr. Patrick Carnes, the founder of the field of sexual addiction therapy and recovery, and focus on correctly evaluating and treating sexual addiction. After completing this specialized training, each CSAT candidate must then complete 30 supervised hours of sexual addiction therapy to become fully certified.

The most important quality of a CSAT is their ability to make a client struggling with sexual addiction feel safe by not shaming, judging, or reacting in shock. Because CSATs regularly work with sexual addiction clients, they have heard it all.

Meet Our Certified Sexual Addiction Therapists (CSAT)

The Finding Place Counseling and Recovery has two CSAT-certified therapists, Ryan Russ and Dan Hunt. Both Ryan and Dan personally trained with Dr. Patrick Carnes and earned their CSAT credentials in 2013.

Ryan Russ, LPC, CSAT

Over the past 7 years, Ryan and Dan have each treated hundreds of clients struggling with sexual addiction and have extensive experience treating the partners of sexual addicts for betrayal trauma and affair recovery.

Dan Hunt, PhD, CSAT

At The Finding Place Counseling and Recovery, we understand that many addicts are victims of past trauma. We also know and understand the effects of betrayal trauma on partners. Our Certified Sex Addiction Therapists are also certified trauma therapists trained in EMDR and brainspotting, making them uniquely qualified to treat types of trauma often associated with sexual addiction.

We offer individual, partner, family, and group therapies for sexual addiction both in the office and via teletherapy. We also offer structured disclosure for partners and family members backed by a polygraph test, when needed.

Sexual addiction is often suffered in secret. If you or your loved one is currently struggling with sexual addiction, please contact us for help. You can also visit our website to read testimonials from couples who have successfully overcome sexual addiction.

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    Is Pornography Bad for My Marriage? What Couples Need to Know

    ByEmily Russ

    If you are asking this question, you are not alone. Many couples wonder how pornography fits into their relationship. Some people feel like it is not a big deal. Others feel deeply hurt by it. You may even feel confused because you are not sure what to think.
    The truth is, there is not one simple answer. Pornography affects every relationship differently. What matters most is how it is impacting trust, emotional safety, and connection between you and your partner.
    Why This Question Comes Up in Marriage
    For many couples, pornography becomes an issue when it creates tension or distance. One partner may discover it and feel blindsided. Another may feel judged or misunderstood for using it.
    Even if both partners know about it, it can still bring up hard emotions. You might feel:
    Hurt or rejected
    Confused about what is normal
    Worried about your relationship
    Unsure how to talk about it
    These reactions are more common than people realize. And they deserve attention, not dismissal.
    When Pornography Starts to Affect Connection
    Pornography is not just about what someone watches. It is about how it impacts the relationship.
    In some marriages, pornography becomes a private habit that replaces connection. Instead of turning toward each other, one partner turns away. Over time, this can create emotional and physical distance.
    In other cases, it changes expectations. Pornography often shows unrealistic bodies, reactions, and experiences. This can lead to comparison or disappointment, even if no one says it out loud.
    When this happens, intimacy can start to feel strained instead of natural.
    The Impact of Secrecy
    One of the biggest issues couples face around pornography is secrecy. When something is hidden, it can feel like a betrayal when it comes to light.
    The pain is often not just about the pornography itself. It is about the loss of trust.
    You may find yourself asking:
    “What else do I not know?”
    “Can I trust my partner?”
    “Is our relationship real?”
    These questions can feel overwhelming. They can also trigger deeper emotional responses, especially if trust has been broken in the past.
    Why This Can Feel So Personal
    If you are the partner who feels hurt, you might take this very personally. You may wonder if you are not enough or if your partner is no longer attracted to you.
    These thoughts can be painful, but they are also very human.
    If you are the partner who uses pornography, you may feel ashamed or defensive. You might not have intended to hurt your partner, and now you feel stuck between your behavior and their pain.
    Both experiences matter. Both deserve to be understood.
    The Role of Shame and Silence
    Many couples avoid talking about pornography because it feels uncomfortable. It can feel easier to ignore it or hope it goes away.
    But silence usually makes things worse.
    When there is no conversation, each person fills in the gaps on their own. Assumptions grow. Resentment builds. Emotional distance increases.
    Shame can also keep couples stuck. One partner may feel ashamed for their behavior. The other may feel ashamed for being upset about it.
    Shame shuts down connection. Honest conversation opens the door to healing.
    What Healthy Conversations Can Look Like
    Start with curiosity instead of blame. This can often be challenging for a partner because of the intense betrayal they may be experiencing. Try focusing on how each of you feels rather than trying to prove a point.
    You might explore questions like:
    “How is this affecting our relationship?”
    “What do we need to feel safe and connected?”
    “What moral standards are important to each of us?”
    These conversations can feel vulnerable, but they are an important step toward rebuilding trust and closeness.
    When It Becomes a Bigger Concern
    Sometimes pornography use may start to interfere with daily life or the relationship in noticeable ways.
    This can include:
    Using pornography to cope with stress or emotions
    Feeling unable to stop or cut back
    Losing interest in real life intimacy
    Spending increasing amounts of time on it
    Keep secrets from my partner
    When these patterns show up, it may be a sign of a deeper struggle that needs attention and support.
    When to Seek Help
    If pornography is creating tension, confusion, or distance in your marriage, seeking therapy from a qualified specialist (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) is key and will feel different than just talk therapy alone.
    At The Finding Place Counseling in Little Rock, Arkansas, we offer couples therapy as well as sexual addiction recovery therapy. We understand that in order to treat the marriage, you also have to treat the underlying issues in each partner. Our team of therapists work together to provide exceptional therapy and gameplans for couples navigating pornography addiction, unwanted sexual behavior, and betrayal trauma.