DR. ALEX KATEHAKIS ON SEX ADDICTION
June 29, 2021
Hosted by Dr. Patricia Halligan
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Dr. Alexandra Katehakis, world renowned Sex Addiction Therapist and Director of the Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles shares a wealth of information today. What is Sex Addiction? Is it real, or just an excuse for bad behavior? She believes that compulsive sexual behavior is a way of masking very deep pain and extreme emotion dysregulation that typically originates in childhood. Dr. Katehakis explains that most sex addicts suffer from an early Attachment Disorder. Case presentations are discussed to highlight the complicated sexual arousal template that develops in the face of early childhood trauma and how shame, humiliation and fear are all fused with sympathetic arousal. The resulting compulsive sexual behavior is sometimes an attempt at self-soothing and sometimes a manifestation of trauma repetition-compulsion. “Shame is both the cause and effect of the Sex Addiction itself.” Dr. Katehakis discusses her most significant contribution to the field…long term psychotherapy for long term change and making the Carnes model a sex positive one. Her ultimate goal for her clients is a healthy sex life and healthy intimate connections. We underline the importance of group therapy as a vehicle to develop a capacity for intimate connecting with others and shame reduction. Other topics of conversation are the difference between sex and love addiction, the impact of sex addiction on the partner, the effect of the hundred billion dollar porn industry on our children and on the sexual functioning of young men, and what kind of conversations parents should consider having with their children about sex and pornography.
RECOVERY…THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
RECOVERY: THE HERO’S JOURNEY provides best practice information and support to people struggling with Substance Use Disorders/Process Addictions and Prescription Drug Dependence. We confront the stigma surrounding Opioid Use Disorder and Benzodiazepine Dependence, understanding that both are the direct result of an overprescribing epidemic. We discuss Buprenorphine, a first line, long term treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. We validate people struggling with Benzodiazepine Dependence (ie-Xanax/Klonopin), and offer resources and a recovery plan.
Experts explore Eating Disorders, Sex Addiction, PTSD, and the effects of today’s Cannabis on teens and young adults, offering guidance and resources to individuals struggling with these issues and their families. This podcast gracefully combines interviews with experts in the field and patient stories of recovery and redemption. The show is about connection, reclaiming personal integrity and hope.
Dr. Patricia Halligan
Dr. Patricia Halligan is an Addiction Psychiatrist, who specializes in the treatment of patients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders, Prescription Drug Dependency and Process Addictions. She completed a residency in Psychiatry at Cornell-The New York Hospital, followed by a Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1998. Dr. Halligan is double board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and is a trained CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist). Believing in the healing power of connection, she trained at the Center for Group Studies in NYC and runs modern analytic group therapy for people in recovery.
Dr. Halligan has been prescribing Buprenorphine in her private practice since 2003 and continues to be a strong advocate for patients with Opioid Use Disorder throughout the Opioid Epidemic. She has spent the last two decades in the trenches of two tragic epidemics caused by the overprescribing of both Opioids and Benzodiazepines.
Aware that the lack of addiction training in medicine has largely contributed to both epidemics, she has resolved to devote some time to teaching. She creates CME accredited addiction education videos and training workshops for health care providers. Dr. Halligan decided to create this show to support people who are taking the hero’s journey into recovery and their families. You’ll hear interviews with experts surrounding best practices, and embrace the elimination of stigma.