CSAT Therapist in Chicago

CSAT stands for Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. It is a specialist certification administered by the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP), with training and supervised work focused on assessing and treating sexual behavior concerns.

My LCPC license and CSAT certification serve different purposes. LCPC is my professional counseling license; CSAT identifies additional training in this area. A credential can help you narrow your search, but you should also feel able to ask questions, understand the proposed treatment, and speak openly with the person you choose.

Learn about IITAP’s CSAT certification, or read about my background and approach.

You may be looking for someone who can hear the specifics without making you explain why they matter. Perhaps you have tried to stop a behavior, made promises you meant to keep, or found that secrecy is taking up more of your life. You may want a therapist who can talk directly about sexual behavior while also understanding your emotional life and relationships.

Specialized training gives us a focused starting point for assessment and treatment planning. It does not mean every client has the same problem or needs the same approach. We will consider what is happening, what you want to change, and whether my practice offers the level of support you need.

Some clients come because of pornography use that feels difficult to control. Others want help with recurring sexual behaviors, secrecy, infidelity, or patterns that conflict with the life and relationships they want. Related work may include shame, emotional disconnection, anxiety, or trauma.

Compulsive sexual behavior generally refers to persistent difficulty controlling sexual urges or behaviors that cause significant distress or interfere with life. Frequency alone does not tell the whole story. We need to understand your experience, its impact, and the context—not assign a label from a checklist.

For more about these concerns, visit pornography and unwanted sexual behavior therapy. Mayo Clinic also offers an overview of compulsive sexual behavior.

First, make room for an honest conversation.

We begin with what brings you here and what feels most urgent. You do not need to arrive with a polished account of your life. Early sessions help us understand the behavior, your attempts to change it, the effect on relationships, and the support you already have.

Then, understand the pattern and set goals.

We look at what happens before and after the behavior, including emotions, situations, and relationship experiences that may be relevant. Together, we identify what change would look like in practical terms and discuss how to work toward it.

Work on present choices and what lies underneath.

Therapy can include recognizing triggers, responding differently to difficult feelings, developing boundaries, and practicing more honest communication. When relevant, we also explore trauma and earlier experiences. We revisit the plan as we learn more; there is no preset timeline or promised outcome.

I aim to offer a warm, direct relationship where you can talk about your behavior without being reduced to it. Understanding how a pattern developed is part of the work. So is taking responsibility for choices and their impact.

We can examine the difference between “I did something harmful” and “I am beyond help.” Accountability can involve noticing avoidance, being clearer about boundaries, and following through on changes you choose. Shame does not need to be the tool that drives the process.

Sexual behavior concerns often affect more than one person. I also work with relationship patterns, couples, and people navigating broken trust. Support after betrayal centers the affected person’s needs and choices; it does not presume reconciliation.

If you are considering couples therapy, we will discuss the appropriate format and clinical roles before starting. One therapist working with an individual is not automatically the right therapist for that person’s partner or couple.

If Christian faith matters to you, faith can be included in ways that fit your goals. There is also room for doubt, spiritual hurt, or choosing not to discuss religion.

All Far More Therapy sessions take place by telehealth. Chicago is a primary community I serve, and adults elsewhere in Illinois can work with me as well. You will need a private space and a reliable internet connection.

Online care may make specialized support more accessible, but fit still matters. We will discuss whether teletherapy and outpatient care are appropriate for your needs. Learn about online therapy in Illinois.

Individual counseling is $175 per session; couples counseling is $225 per session. I am in network with several insurance providers. Your benefits, deductible, and the service provided affect what you pay.

Coverage is not guaranteed simply because a therapist has a CSAT credential. We will clarify payment and any coverage questions before beginning. See insurance and fees for current details.

Do I have to identify as a “sex addict”?

No. You can seek help for a behavior you want to understand or change without adopting that identity. We can discuss the language that fits your experience and what an assessment does—and does not—mean.

Can I work with a CSAT for pornography use?

Yes. Pornography and unwanted sexual behavior are central areas of my work. You do not have to wait until a relationship or another part of your life is in crisis to ask for a conversation.

Is CSAT the same as sex therapy?

CSAT names a specific certification focused on sexual addiction and related behavior concerns. “Sex therapy” is a broader term that can encompass other sexual health concerns. Ask any prospective therapist about their training and experience with the particular issue you want help with.

Can we talk before I decide?

Yes. A consultation is a chance to explain what you are looking for, ask about my approach, and discuss fit. You can share only enough to get that conversation started.

The online men’s sex and pornography recovery group begins January 13, 2027, meeting Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM Central. This approximately 16-week closed cohort is limited to 8 men and uses Facing the Shadow.

Individual screening is required, and participants must be located in Illinois. You can explore whether group therapy fits alongside your individual work.