Addictions - Sexual Family Systems

Addictions - Sexual

Sexual addiction relates to any sex-related compulsive behaviors that are performed regardless of the consequences to the individual, his or her family, friends or work environment. Sex becomes a priority, ahead of everything else, and at all costs. It also refers to a dependency or compulsion relating to sexual acts and it can dominate the individual's life.

People with sexual addiction will spend a lot of time thinking about sex, masturbating compulsively, having multiple affairs, using pornography consistently, and performing unsafe sex. It can also take on a darker side when it involves rape or molestation, incest, sexual harassment, voyeurism, and using prostitutes.

Therapists can assist with sexual addiction by examining the person's behavior and sexual history. Many people with sexual addictions may have experienced abuse as children or adolescents and a therapist will explore those issues to help the person identify his or her thought patterns and danger zones.   

Support groups have been shown to be effective in dealing with sexual addiction, though establishing a support network and accountability circle.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist to address your sexual addiction you may want to search through the list of names below to find a therapist who will be right for you.

Family Systems

Family Systems therapy is a type of counselling specific to helping interpersonal relationships within a family system. Family Systems counselling is facilitated by marriage and family therapists who work with the various family combinations, including siblings, couples, parent and child, or step families.

The principle of family systems counselling is to help each individual to first learn to understand his or her own emotions, and how to manage interpersonal relationships effectively, as that influences all future relationships. Once family members understand themselves and the emotional system within the family, it is easier to be flexible in relationships with family  members, marriages, community, school and other relationships.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Family Systems Therapies, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Denise Carter

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Life can be complicated no matter what your age is. Managing life transitions such as becoming a teenager or young adult, a parent, or change in any life routine can be difficult. You may be experiencing stress, anxiety... Read more

Julia Hewko

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Hello, my name is Julia, and I am a Counsellor helping clients with a variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, parenting support, postnatal mental health,... Read more

Kate McKay

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hello and welcome! I'm Kate (she/her), Registered Clinical Counsellor and owner of Coastal Calm Therapy. Pregnancy, fertility, and the postpartum period has become infinitely more complex in our current world, and I... Read more

Katelyn Bonetti

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, I’m Katelyn (she/her). We all have times when we feel overwhelmed by unexpected changes in relationships, family life, careers or health - times when strong emotions are difficult to manage alone.... Read more

Heather Gretton

Ph.D., R.Psych
Sorry, Dr. Gretton is currently not accepting new clients. My virtual office is open with Telepsychology/Video/Online Options during COVID-19.  Please contact me for more information about my general... Read more

Adrienne Johnson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am passionate about helping clients who are facing challenges in transitions, relationships, or who are exploring questions about their life’s meaning and purpose. I also have experience working with anxiety,... Read more

Clover Zeng

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Clover, with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC. She works with clients at where they are and walk side by side with them until they reach the happy... Read more
    • Online booking
Hi I’m Laurie, and I understand how lonely it can be to feel that there are things you can’t talk about with anyone in your life. I have experience working with folks who have dual diagnoses of mental health... Read more

Paige Mowbray

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Online booking
I am described as warm and down-to-earth, with a highly relational approach and trauma-informed perspective I specialize in grief /loss and trauma I worked for many years in the nonprofit sector with individuals... Read more

Adrienne Wang

Ph.D., R.Psych
We all have the potential to make meaningful changes to lead the lives we desire.  I specialize in helping adults with various concerns such as obsessions and/or compulsions, chronic worrying, social anxiety,... Read more

Krista Sao

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people who have a desire for change but are unsure where to start. If you want life to be more fulfilling, but you feel held back by fear, guilt, or shame. You’ve engaged in new behaviours but... Read more

Lephuong Ong

Ph.D., R.Psych
Insight and Therapy:  It takes great courage and insight to make the decision to engage in therapy to examine and address the concerns that have been troubling you. Though it may seem daunting, therapy... Read more

Chyanne Smith

M.A., RCC
My goal is to support you in achieving the goals you bring into our sessions. I operate from a biopsychosocial perspective, meaning I will demonstrate consideration for your physical, emotional, social, and... Read more

Joanna Nicholson

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Since 2017, I have been working in an oncology setting within the health care system. I understand that navigating illness can be incredibly lonely. Feelings of grief and depression are common reactions to health-... Read more

Drew Harms

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, my name is Drew and I am a dedicated therapist who works with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, couples counselling, women's issues, children's play therapy, teen issues and perinatal mental... Read more

Rawda Tomoum

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
My areas of focus: Couples stuck in fighting, withdrawal, and disconnection, who feel alone, unheard, and misunderstood in their relationship no matter what they do to make it work. Individuals struggling ... Read more

Joanne Schwartz

M.S.W., RSW
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
I can help you achieve: Relief from negative thinking, anxiety and depression. Better coping mechanisms to help you overcome addictive or destructive behaviours. Balance in your day-to-day life. I aim to... Read more

Mila Skeeles

M.A., CCC
Like many people, I grew up in an environment where we didn’t talk about our struggles and emotions. From an early age, I learned to keep the difficult things inside and deal with my emotions on my own. Although I... Read more

Allison Bates

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Allison understands how difficult it can be to address issues that may have been lingering for some time. It is truly an honor to walk with you through these struggles and find real solutions. Counselling can... Read more

Michal Regev

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Michal Regev is a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been counselling individuals, couples, and families since 1990, and has trained psychologists and counsellors in... Read more

Adrienne Moya

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome, I'm Adrienne, owner of Camas Mental Health. Camas offers therapy services with a specialization in supporting reproductive mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan through... Read more

Summy Pajouh

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
Summy is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Counselling Art Therapist who graduated with a Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy from Adler University. Summy has experience providing individual and... Read more

Stephanie Gillingham

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Stephanie (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker who lives and works as an uninvited guest on the stolen territory of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) people. Stephanie... Read more

Michele Maurer

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
Appointments Available In-office and Virtually You invest yourself in your relationships. Individuals, couples and parents have done their best to cope throughout the pandemic, and it's taken a ... Read more

Alexandra Vittes

M.S.W., RSW
I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2003, and am currently a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers.  I was trained in both... Read more

Virlyn Collantes

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
About Me I offer individual and couples therapy whether in-person or virtual sessions. I am a fervent advocate for addressing the root causes of individuals' and couples' issues and firmly believe that every... Read more
    • Online booking
Simone is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 5 years of experience working with clients from varying populations and backgrounds including members of LGBTQ2SIA+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent communities. Simone... Read more

Judith Setton-Markus

M.Ed., R.Psych
Judith Setton-Markus is a Registered Psychologist licensed with the College of Psychologists of BC #1712. She is also a Psychoanalyst and Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychotherapist, a member of the Western Branch... Read more

Ksenia Belova

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people desiring stronger, deeper and more fulfilling relationships with themselves, and with other people. If you're struggling to feel well and to live the life you want, you may feel cut off from your... Read more

Ruth Skutezky

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Is anxiety getting in the way of living your best life? Are you feeling disconnected from your partner, arguing more, or even having doubts about your future together? Are you a new parent, struggling to adjust to this... Read more