Because sexual addiction is more than a statistic

Redeeming Sexuality and Intimacy Conference

April 11 - 13, 2019

Hyatt Regency Houston TX

Headlines including statistics like the NBC online post, “Sex addiction may affect 10 percent of men, survey finds. Women make up 40 percent of those affected, the researchers found *” are fairly common across news outlets and social media. However, for the most part, awareness of what life is like for the millions struggling with sexual or porn addiction, as well as for those impacted by their relationship with their ‘addicts’, is limited, judged and far too often lampooned. As in all complex relational and societal issues, statistics alone do not… indeed cannot…capture the emotional, physical, social, financial and spiritual impact experienced as a result.

Instead, gaining awareness and understanding begins by becoming educated about those complexities, sharing and listening to stories, and walking alongside another on the long road of recovery (for the addict) and healing (for the spouse/partner, family and friends).

So how might attending the Conference help build awareness and increase understanding? Because C-SASI brings speakers and presenters who are experts in their niche to bring clarity and insight into those complexities, while the schedule provides opportunities to network. Connecting and gaining understanding is the heartbeat of the Redeeming Sexuality and Intimacy Conference.

As a coach and trainer, my primary commitment and focus remain centered on equipping and supporting those going through ADOH peer facilitator training. At the same time, I am also committed to - and focus on – the work of Christian Sex Addiction Specialists International (C-SASI) along with the other dedicated, experienced and dearly loved volunteer board members.

C-SASI is a non-profit, Christian organization with a mission of equipping Christian therapists/clinicians; life coaches; pastors/ministers; lay church leaders and peer facilitators with the resources they need to effectively and ethically help those whose lives have been impacted by sexual addiction and sexual brokenness. You can find out more about who we are, our mission/vision and values on our website.

There’s still time to register and here are two more reasons why …

My New Zealand colleague, friend and fellow C-SASI board member, Lisa Taylor, describes why she’s looking forward to the conference:

“Because as Dr. Barbara Steffens says, ’we are strong together.’ The Conference is an excellent place to be with your peers and feel the love and support of others who have ‘been there’. It also an amazing opportunity to see some of the leaders in the partner trauma field: learn from them, benefit from their care and wisdom. For those who feel they may have a calling to someday minister in this area, this is an excellent opportunity to talk to those who are already seeing their ashes turned to beauty... and understand more about how that's come to be.

Lisa is also one of our Conference workshop presenters:

Managing tech-based Environmental Triggers

"While many of us have been trained in how to help sex addicts with their trauma and/or attachment wounds, we are often less comfortable helping them navigate environmental triggers—especially when those triggers involve technology. Today internet porn, cybersex, sexting, etc. are at the finger-tips of most eight-year-olds. The average teenager understand more about how to use technology for a sexual hit than most of us adults do about how to prevent this. In this presentation Lisa (with a little help from her software programmer husband) will show you how to guide clients, or their spouses/parents in making technology as safe as possible for those who are looking to recover from porn and/or sex addiction."

Lisa is also the author of Beyond Betrayal: How God is Healing Women and Couple's from Infidelity. In addition to covering a wide range of topics herself, Lisa's guest posts/interviews are not to be missed. Discover more about Lisa's New Zealand specific and international work in the Beyond Betrayal Community.

Another colleague and friend, Catherine Etherington, describes why she’s traveling from Durham (the United Kingdom) to attend: "The conference is an opportunity to get refreshed. This mission (Redeeming Sexuality and Intimacy) is a big one and requires us to pour out of ourselves all the time – and this is an opportunity to pour back in, to be reminded of your passion for the afflicted and to renew hope and energy to your ministry, whether church, business or ministry based."

Catherine, Head of Partner and Spouse Development at The Naked Truth Project (UK), is another Conference workshop presenters and I have the joy and honor of joining her and our colleague, Fran Hopwood in presenting:

Spectrum of Spiritual Experiences within Relationships Impacted by Sexual Betrayal

"In this presentation, Cat, Donna and Fran will explore and address some of the more common experiences faced by those seeking recovery from sexual sin, and their partners. We will unpack some of the factors that influence our positioning on that spectrum, such as images of God, spiritual abuse, theological teaching and the quality of supportive Christian relationships. In concluding, we will suggest ways in which we, as Christians, helping professionals, and church leaders can positively engage with anyone journeying this continuum and increase the likelihood of an outcome that strengthens faith, understanding of God and relationship with Him."

The conference you don't want to miss in 2019!

I'm already looking forward to gaining more insight and understanding, connecting with colleagues, friends and peers and hope to see you there. To learn more about the conference (and register) head to the C-SASI website conference page.

*Quote is from a November 9, 2018 NBC online post written by NBC News and Today's senior writer, Maggie Fox. "Sex addiction may affect 10 percent of men, survey finds. Women make up 40 percent of those affected, the researchers found." An embedded eight-minute video interview with NBC's Left Field contributor includes an interview the contributor and a sex addition therapist. May (or may not) be triggering for some.