You're here because you want your relationship to feel better. That’s where specialized couples therapy for sexually problematic behaviors can make a real difference.
When sexual compulsivity or sex addiction enters a relationship, it can shake the foundation of trust, intimacy, and connection. You may feel blindsided, betrayed, or unsure if your relationship can survive. Whether you're the partner struggling with compulsive behaviors or the one left reeling from the discovery, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Healing Starts Here
I specialize in working with couples facing the challenges of sexually compulsive behaviors, helping them make sense of the pain and begin rebuilding trust. My approach is rooted in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which allows us to address the deeper emotional wounds that fuel these behaviors and
the relational ruptures they create.
Addressing the Cycle of Disconnection
Sex addiction and compulsive behaviors damage relationships in a way that feels similar to an affair—because, instead of turning toward your partner, you found solace elsewhere. And maybe the partner who didn’t have this escape also began turning away or giving up. Now, you both feel like you’ve lost each other. Through Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy for sex addiction, I help couples turn back toward each other, slow down, and tune in to the feelings that arise before they fall into old coping patterns or shut down completely. Healing starts when you can reach for each other again.
What You Can Expect
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A Safe, Judgment-Free Space – This is not about blame. I want to help you grieve together for something that's been lost. Then we'll build it back up, stronger than before.
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Rebuilding Trust – We’ll work to repair trust with honesty, accountability, and structured support.
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Healing Together – I can help you learn to carry this struggle together. This is the true spirit of interdependence: supporting one another, sharing the burden, and growing stronger as a couple through this journey. You don't have to face this alone.
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Overcoming Isolation – Both of you might be feeling deeply alone—one struggling with shame and secrecy, the other with betrayal and grief. It’s hard to confide in friends and family, but you don’t have to go through this without support.
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A Path Forward – Whether that means working toward healing together or deciding the best path for each of you, I’ll help you find clarity.
Your partnership needs support right now. You don’t have to face this challenge alone—together, we’ll
navigate your path to healing.
Couples Therapy for Compulsive Porn Use in Fairfield, CT
Online in all of MA, CT, VT, FL
When Is Porn Use a Problem?
Maybe "sex addiction" feels like too strong a word, but if excessive porn use is creating distance in your relationship, it’s worth paying attention to. The real issue isn’t just the behavior—it’s what it replaces. When life gets stressful or emotions feel overwhelming, are you turning to porn instead of your partner? Over time, this pattern can create disconnection, leaving your partner feeling shut out and alone.
In therapy, we’ll explore how these behaviors impact your relationship and help you find ways to turn toward each other instead of away. Rebuilding trust and intimacy starts with understanding the deeper needs driving these patterns—and creating new ways to connect.
If You're Here, You're Not Broken—You're Brave.
When sex, secrecy, and pain get tangled up in a relationship, it can feel like everything you thought was solid has cracked wide open.
Maybe you're the one who discovered something you never expected.
Maybe you're the one whose behavior caused the rupture—and you're carrying a heavy mix of shame, regret, and confusion.
Maybe both of you are hurting, scared, and not sure what comes next.
Whatever brings you here, I want you to know: you are welcome here.
This is a space for couples navigating the wreckage of what some call sex addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, or sexually problematic behavior. I don’t get caught up in the labels. I care about what it feels like to be in this with each other. I care about the pain, the longing, the disconnection—and the hope.
Because there is hope. Even now.
My work is grounded in compassion for both partners. I don’t come in to judge, diagnose, or decide who's right. I help you slow down. I help you talk honestly. I help you begin to understand what happened—and why—so you can start the real work of repair.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Therapy for Sex Addiction, Porn Addiction, and Sexually Problematic Behaviors
“Sex Addiction”? Compulsive Sexual Behaviors? Sexually Problematic Behaviors? What’s the Difference?
You may have noticed that I put the term “sex addiction” in quotation marks throughout my site—and that’s intentional.
The American Psychiatric Association does not recognize sex addiction as an official diagnosis in the DSM-5. But that doesn’t mean the pain, secrecy, or relationship distress that can come with compulsive or problematic sexual behavior isn’t real.
People use different language—sex addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, porn addiction, sexually problematic behaviors—to describe similar experiences: a repeated pattern of sexual behavior that feels out of control, often causes emotional harm, and leads to broken trust in relationships.
Sexuality is deeply personal. What one person (or couple) sees as acceptable, another may find deeply hurtful. That complexity is part of what makes this such a sensitive and painful issue for many couples. I help you move beyond the label and toward real, compassionate understanding and healing.
Do I need to be in individual therapy before starting couples therapy for sex addiction or compulsive sexual behaviors?
Not necessarily. However, it’s often incredibly helpful when the partner who’s struggling with sexually compulsive behavior, sex addiction, or excessive porn use is already in individual therapy—or has recently completed it.
Why? Because this therapy space is centered on your relationship. It’s not a substitute for individual work.
In couples therapy, we focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and helping both partners make sense of what happened. That work is often more effective when each person has the support they need—especially the partner doing deep work on behavior change.
Not sure if this applies to you yet? I’m happy to talk it through with you.
Can couples therapy really help with sex addiction or sexually problematic behaviors?
Yes—couples therapy can be a powerful part of healing from sex addiction, compulsive sexual behaviors, or other problematic sexual patterns. While individual therapy focuses on personal insight and behavior change, couples therapy focuses on the relationship impact: broken trust, emotional pain, fear, and the desire to reconnect.
Is watching too much porn the same as sex addiction?
Not always. Excessive pornography use can be one form of compulsive or problematic sexual behavior, but not everyone who uses porn heavily meets the criteria for what some call sex addiction.
The key questions are: Is the behavior feeling out of control? Is it creating distress, secrecy, or harm in your relationship or life? Are you turning toward porn instead of turning toward your partner? If so, it’s worth exploring—not to shame, but to understand what’s really going on.
Is therapy for sex addiction only for heterosexual couples or men?
Absolutely not. People of all genders and sexual orientations struggle with compulsive or problematic sexual behavior. I work with all couples—including queer, non-monogamous, and LGBTQIA+ partners—who are navigating these challenges together.
This space is built on respect, nuance, and the understanding that sexuality is complex. Whatever your identity or background, if you’re seeking help and healing, you are welcome here.
I’m afraid I’ll be blamed or shamed in couples therapy. Will I?
No. That’s not how I work.
You’re not here to be shamed. You’re here because something important in your relationship is hurting—and because you care enough to face it.
In our work together, we make space for everyone’s pain—including yours. The goal isn’t to label you or pick apart your past. The goal is to understand what happened, why it happened, and what healing looks like for you and your partner.
What if I don’t even know why I did what I did?
That’s more common than you think.
Many people who struggle with porn use, compulsive sexual behaviors, or secrecy in relationships don’t fully understand their own patterns yet. That’s okay. Couples therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating a space where real understanding can start.
We work together to slow things down, bring compassion into the room, and begin to untangle what’s been driving the behavior—without shame.
I’ve already stopped the behavior. Why do we need therapy now?
Stopping the behavior can be a powerful first step—but repair takes more than that.
Couples therapy helps both of you make sense of the pain, rebuild emotional safety, and move forward with more honesty, clarity, and connection. It’s not just about what stopped—it’s about what needs to grow.
If you're committed to staying together, therapy gives you tools to actually heal—not just move on and hope it gets better.
And not all couples require 100% abstinence (depending on what the behavior is) but all couples do need honesty and a commitment to stopping relationship injuries.
Is this therapy just going to focus on what I did wrong?
No. We focus on what’s hurting—and what’s possible.
Yes, we’ll talk about the impact of your behavior. But we’ll also talk about your experiences, your shame, your fears, and your hopes. You’re not a villain in this room. You’re a human being with a story—and I care about that story.
Healing happens when both partners feel safe enough to be honest. That’s what we build together.
Can I still come to couples therapy if I don’t think I have “sex addiction”?
Absolutely.
Many people who seek couples therapy around sexual issues don’t relate to the label “sex addiction”—and that’s completely fine. I don’t require a diagnosis or a certain way of seeing things.
Whether you see it as porn overuse, infidelity, secrecy, or something else—what matters is the impact it’s had on your relationship, and the commitment to do something different. That’s enough.
What if I’m scared this will make things worse?
It’s okay to be scared. You’re not the only one.
Conversations like these are hard. But not having them often causes even more pain. Couples therapy gives you both a structured, supportive space to talk honestly and safely—with help.
You don’t have to know how to fix everything. You just have to be willing to show up.
Places for Couples to Eat in Fairfield, CT
Fairfield, CT, offers a variety of excellent dining spots perfect for couples to enjoy a relaxing meal together. Here are some great options:
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The Chelsea – Known for its upscale ambiance and diverse menu, The Chelsea is a local favorite for a romantic dining experience.
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Brick Walk Tavern – This restaurant offers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere, perfect for a cozy meal with your loved one.
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Local Craft Kitchen & Bar – Enjoy over 30 craft beers on tap and a vibrant dining experience that’s perfect for a casual yet enjoyable night out.
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Ryebird Neighborhood Restaurant & Bar – A local gem with delicious nightly specials and a welcoming environment for couples to unwind together.
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Sally’s Apizza – A must-try for pizza lovers, this spot offers thin-crust, coal-fired pizzas in a casual, laid-back setting.
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South Bay – Fairfield – Specializing in seafood with a Mediterranean twist, this restaurant offers a unique and relaxing dining experience.
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29 Markle Ct – Known for its creative cocktails and upscale New American cuisine, this cocktail bar provides a stylish place to relax.
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Boca Grille & Raw Bar at H Smith Richardson Golf Course – With fresh seafood offerings and scenic views, this dining spot creates a romantic atmosphere perfect for a relaxing dinner.
Relax and Recharge in Fairfield, CT: Perfect Spots for Couples
Fairfield, CT, offers a variety of serene locations for couples seeking relaxation and connection. A visit to Lake Mohegan provides opportunities for leisurely walks and nature observation, enhancing your time together. For a romantic beach experience, Jennings Beach offers a large sandy area with picturesque views of Long Island Sound, ideal for sunset strolls. To enjoy a cozy meal, The Pantry serves farm-to-table dishes in a relaxed setting, perfect for intimate dining. Additionally, The Loft offers an upscale dining experience, providing a sophisticated atmosphere for couples looking to celebrate special occasions. These destinations in Fairfield offer diverse experiences to help couples unwind and strengthen their bond.
