Treatment for Compulsive Sexual Behavior & Intimacy
The term “sex addiction” is commonly used to describe compulsive or problematic sexual behavior, but it is not a formal clinical diagnosis. After reviewing the available research, the DSM-5 did not recognize sex addiction as a diagnosable condition. Despite this, many individuals and couples experience real distress related to sexual behaviors, emotional intimacy, and relationship functioning.
Dr. Waldron approaches treatment using an integrative, evidence-informed model that draws from Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB) frameworks, self-regulation theory, attachment theory, and a trauma-informed lens. Humans are inherently sexual beings, making complete abstinence from all sexual behavior an unrealistic and often unhelpful goal.
Instead of focusing on stopping behavior alone, treatment centers on understanding what drives the behavior including unmet emotional needs, attachment wounds, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Therapy helps clients move toward sexual health, improved emotional intimacy, and a more balanced relationship with desire and connection. Although there is no single diagnosis for these challenges, they are frequently rooted in struggles with emotional closeness and vulnerability.
Individual, Couples, and Group Therapy for Sexual Health & Intimacy
Dr. Waldron helps clients develop the insight and skills needed to live an authentic, values-driven life one they can feel proud of. We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, and group therapy for those seeking support with compulsive sexual behaviors, intimacy concerns, and relationship challenges.
Through therapy, clients learn to:
Identify long-standing patterns that interfere with intimacy and sexual well-being
Strengthen emotional regulation and self-awareness
Build healthier attachment and relational skills
Create deeper emotional connections and more meaningful relationships
Our goal is not shame or suppression, but healing, connection, and lasting change.
Groups are Virtual and Facilitated
by Dr. Michele Waldron, Psy.D, CST-S, PMH-C
We offer a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to problematic sexual behavior and intimacy challenges for individuals and couples throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Treatment focuses on understanding the underlying causes of behavior not just stopping symptoms and developing practical skills that support long-term healing, emotional growth, and healthier relationships.
Skills are taught within the context of a healing relationship or partner, recognizing that meaningful change happens through connection, accountability, and emotional safety.
Emotion Regulation, Empathy, and Healthy Intimacy
Many men were not raised to identify, express, or regulate emotions and some were actively discouraged or punished for having them. As a result, difficulties with emotional awareness and vulnerability often contribute to challenges with empathy, intimacy, and sexual behavior.
A central focus of treatment is emotion regulation skills, including the ability to:
- Identify and tolerate difficult emotions
- Increase empathy and emotional responsiveness
- “Hold space” for a partner’s experience
- Develop healthier emotional and physical intimacy
These skills are foundational for building secure, connected relationships and lasting sexual health.
Dr. Waldron uses the Gottman Method to help clients learn how to be a healthy, emotionally attuned partner. The Gottmans have the only researched treatment on treating couples post-affairs (betrayals). Dr. Waldron completed this specialized training. These skills are essential whether a relationship continues or ultimately ends.
Most clients in treatment choose to remain in their relationships, with both partners actively engaged in:
Healing from past harmful behaviors
Rebuilding trust and emotional safety
Creating a relationship worth staying in
Couples therapy is conducted in a non-adversarial, supportive environment designed to facilitate healing, accountability, and genuine reconnection not blame or shame.
A Long-Term, Meaningful Treatment Process
Changing deeply rooted and often automatic patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors takes time. This is not a quick-fix model. Most clients engage in treatment for 2–3 years, allowing space for sustainable change, emotional growth, and relational repair.
Clients typically participate in:
One weekly therapy session (individual or couples)
One to two therapy groups per week
Group Therapy for Connection & Community
Group therapy provides a safe, structured environment where individuals can give and receive support, practice emotional intimacy skills, and reduce isolation. Groups often become a space for intentional community-building, where members learn how to be vulnerable, accountable, and emotionally present with others.
Participants may also choose to gather socially outside of the group setting, further strengthening connection and support.
Support for Partners Experiencing Betrayal Trauma
We also offer specialized support for partners who may be experiencing Betrayal Trauma. Healing after betrayal is complex and deeply personal. Our partner support group provides a compassionate space focused on the partner’s healing not managing or fixing the relationship.
This group helps partners:
Reclaim their voice
Set and maintain healthy boundaries
Process trauma responses
Focus on their own emotional well-being
Dr. Waldron provides individual therapy, couples counseling, and group therapy for clients throughout MA and NH, offering evidence-based care grounded in compassion, accountability, and long-term healing.
Support group
For adult men with out-of-control sexual behavior. This is an open forum to discuss challenges that come up. It is also an opportunity to practice emotional connection and get feedback on skill implementation. Participants talk to one another outside of the group in a supportive and social role. Generally, groups are every other week, but members can attend multiple support groups if needed.
Partners support group
For adult women whose partners are struggling with out-of-control sexual behaviors. It is a place to talk freely without worrying about judgment, stigma, or managing another person’s reaction/emotions. This is an open forum for participants to bring up topics and receive support/feedback from one another. Participants may talk to one another outside of the group in a supportive and social role.
Skills Group
For adult men struggling with out-of-control sexual behaviors and/or substance use. The skills are a simplified Dialectical Behavior Therapy approach to teach coping strategies to manage what is underlying the out-of-control sexual behavior and to safety plan around managing difficult situations. Members and their partners are encouraged to complete the elearning together because the language used in the materials can be an effective tool for emotion regulation as a couple.
ADHD Support group
For adult men with out-of-control sexual behavior and/or substance use challenges. This group meets monthly to discuss issues specific to these topics such as understanding symptoms, executive functioning strategies, relationship challenges, safety planning around behaviors, understanding the impact of the diagnosis from childhood, and topics that participants bring to the meeting.
