From Crisis to Connection: Dr. Stefanie Carnes - Responding to sexual offenses - Episode 101

In this episode I interview Dr. Stefanie Carnes, an internationally recognized expert on treating sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. We talk about the difficult subject of responding to sexual offenses. Even though sexual addiction is a serious issue, sexual offending directly violates another person and involves illegal activities. Sexual offenses can include behaviors such as eroticized rage, voyeurism of family members, revenge porn, marital rape, touching while asleep/unconscious, exhibitionism, child sexual abuse images, etc.

Specifically, we discuss:
The difference between addiction and offending behaviors
The impact on partners and kids
The necessary steps each person needs to take in these situation
What the healing journey looks like when there have been significant boundary violations Examples of what long-term healing looks like
Resources for both offending and betrayed partners 

Stefanie Carnes, Ph.D., CSAT-S is the President of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals, a training institute and professional organization for addiction professionals, and a senior fellow for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare where she works with sexually addicted clients and their families. Dr. Carnes is the clinical architect for Willow House: Relationship Healing for Women struggling with sex, love and intimacy disorders, and works closely with the staff of Willow House and Gentle Path to bring her unique expertise to the programs and to aid the clients who suffer with intimacy and relationship disorders. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an AAMFT approved supervisor. Her area of expertise includes working with patients and families struggling with multiple addictions such as sexual addiction, eating disorders and chemical dependency. Dr. Carnes is also a certified sex addiction therapist and supervisor, specializing in therapy for couples and families struggling with sexual addiction. She presents regularly at conferences at both the state and national levels. She is also the author of numerous publications including her books, Mending a Shattered Heart: A Guide for Partners of Sex Addicts, and Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts, and Facing Addiction: Starting Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs. She currently co-facilitates Module 2 in the Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) Training.

Websites:

Sexhelp.com

https://iitap.com 

Books:

Courageous Love

Mending a Shattered Heart

Facing Heartbreak