Samantha Smithstein, Psy.D. (PSY19074), Co-Founder, Director

Pathways Institute for Impulse Control

415.267.6916    www.impulsecontrolcenter.com    pathwayshelp@gmail.com

The Pathways Institute for Impulse Control works to help people gain control of their lives by helping them stop their compulsive sexual behaviors.

Sexually compulsive behaviors, also known as sex addiction, can be expressed in a variety of ways. The sexual behaviors are frequently secretive and shameful and can lead to deception, loss of relationship or divorce, isolation and feelings of loss of control, and often escalate in intensity. In spite of this, the individual finds themselves returning to the behavior again and again.

Sexually compulsive behaviors can be expressed in a variety of ways. Sex Addiction/Sex Addicts Pornography addiction, On-line chats or “dating” sites, Infidelity, Prostitution or sexual massage, Frequent casual encounters, Sex in public, Purposeful bumping into others, Exhibitionism, Compulsive masturbation, Child pornography, Attraction to children or teens, Sexual harassment, Fetishes, Sexual Offending, are only a few of the many behaviors that can fall into this category.

The Pathways Institute for Impulse Control also works to help the partners and families of individuals with compulsive disorders.  Impulse disorders do not occur in a vacuum; partners and families suffer the painful and often traumatic impact of their loved one’s addiction.  Partners and family members are denied intimacy, communication, security and the ability to experience healthy dependency.  All too often unhealthy relating patterns occur as partners and family members attempt to manage and try to control their loved ones addiction out of fear and anxiety. These attempts rarely help and leave the partners and family members resentful, depressed and anxious.

We work to create a non-judgmental, non-shaming and safe environment so the individuals struggling with a sexual addiction can begin to trust in themselves and fully accept their problems, free to move beyond the secrets into a meaningful and fulfilling life, and so their partners and family members can fully understand impulse disorders and how to create new healthy ways of relating.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

This Program Will Help Individuals

Stop acting out in their sexual behaviors;

• Identify high -risk situations that trigger the impulse to act out sexually and develop strategies for overcoming them.
• Restore, repair and gain stability and intimacy in family and personal life.
• Repair job related problems or revise career plans that have been neglected due to sexual behavior.
• Explore and understand the roots of their sexual behaviors, including stressors, trauma, mood disorders, etc..
• Begin to have deeper and more meaningful relationships with themselves and others based on a more authentic expression of the self.
• Identify unmet needs and to learn how to meet them in a healthy way, ultimately leading to deeper and more intimate relationships with themselves and others.
•  Resolve criminal or other legal problems by providing the court or attorneys with expert assessment and/or treatment.
• Become part of a supportive network of people who have had compulsive sexual behaviors and overcame it.
• Define and implement life-style changes that increase self confidence. 

Why Seek Treatment?

Individuals with compulsive sexual behaviors don’t know why; often these behaviors will feel mysterious to those who have them, and will cause the person to feel out of control.

They don’t understand how to stop the behaviors.

They experience shameful feelings that prevent them from talking about their problem in order to get help to correct the problem.

They don’t understand the consequences of their actions on society, others in their lives or themselves.

They end up in jail or prison often suffering from undiagnosed and treated mental illness.

They are unaware of mental health problems such as impulse disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders.

They are unaware of available cognitive behavioral and psychotherapeutic treatment options.

They are unaware of available psychiatric medication that may benefit them.

For many people, these behaviors are about a longing for connection or an escape from stress or unhappiness. Often these behaviors can be a search for a way to feel soothed, connected, loved or comforted.

In spite of these longings, the behaviors frequently are secretive and shameful and can lead to deception, loss of relationship or divorce, isolation and feelings of loss of control.

Recovery requires compassion and a willingness to look inside one-self with honesty in order to understand the meaning these behaviors have had in your life.

Individuals can learn to employ new behaviors in order to resist their impulses. They learn to accept responsibility, new ways of coping with the underlying psychological and emotional triggers, create a relapse prevention plan, and repair relationships. New behaviors combined with psychological understanding are the foundation of relapse prevention.

Samantha Smithstein, Psy.D., (Co-Founder, Director) is a clinical psychologist with a private practice conducting psychotherapy and assessments in San Francisco, California, and has worked with individuals and their families on sexual behaviors for years. She works with individuals, couples, and children, on issues related to relationship, attachment, and trauma. She also specializes in issues related to other addictive or compulsive disorders. She has extensive experience in forensic psychology, working with and evaluating people who have been arrested, charged, or convicted for their sexual behavior.

Pathways Institute for Impulse Control Staff
Pathways Institute staff members are professional licensed therapists and therapist interns specializing in the treatment of impulse disorders including sexual addiction.

All inquires are strictly confidential.

Insurance reimbursement may be available.