The Effectiveness of Brief Multimodal Experiential Therapy in the Treatment of Sexual Addiction

The authors assessed treatment outcomes in 38 self-identified sex addicts who participated in a brief residential, multimodal experiential group therapy treatment program. Participants completed psychological and sexual symptom measures prior to treatment, immediately following treatment, and six months after treatment. Significant reductions in overall psychological distress, depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and preoccupation with sex and sexual stimuli were reported by participants immediately following treatment and were stable at 6-month follow-up. Significant reductions in anxiety, intrapsychic conflict regarding sexual desire, and shame felt as a result of acting out on sexual desires were reported by participants from posttreatment to 6-month follow-up. The clinical implications of the present study, limitations of the study, and directions for further research in this area are discussed.