Addiction & Compulsive Behavior Therapy
Healing Beyond Shame, Finding Freedom
Addiction is often misunderstood as simply “lack of willpower.” In reality, it is about coping with pain, shame, and disconnection. At Let’s Talk Openly, we believe healing means moving beyond secrecy and judgment into empowerment, resilience, and choice.
Our Approach
Our clinical team is grounded in the work of Dr. Thuydy Nguyen’s doctoral project: A Trauma-Informed Group Curriculum for Compulsive Sexual Behaviors: Addressing Trauma, Shame, and Religious Influence. This research project combined evidence-based modalities with real-world application in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
The approach we carry forward is:
Trauma-Informed & Shame-Resilient → Exploring the roots of behavior with compassion and context.
Non-Pathologizing → Addiction is understood as a coping strategy, not an identity.
Evidence-Based & Holistic → Blending CBT, attachment theory, somatic grounding, motivational interviewing, and shame resilience practices (drawing on Brené Brown, SAMHSA, and current sexology research).
Sex-Positive & Inclusive → Honoring diverse identities, relationships, and values without judgment.
What to Expect in Therapy
First Session
Understanding your story, clarifying goals, and identifying immediate coping tools.
Who We Work With
Individuals seeking support for substance use or compulsive sexual behaviors
Couples navigating the impact of addiction on trust and intimacy
LGTBQ+ clients and professionals balancing identity, stress, and recovery
Anyone seeking an alternative to rigid, “one-size-fits all” or abstinence-only models
On-going Work
Developing strategies to manage urges and triggers
Building shame resilience and emotional regulation skills
Strengthen intimacy and trust in relationships
Addressing and reclaiming agency
Take the Next Step
Healing from addiction starts with courage and you don’t have to do it alone!
Group Option
Clients may also access Healing Beyond Shame, our group program, designed to integrate both stabilization and long-term growth.
Join Healing Beyond Shame Community
Healing doesn’t happen alone, it happens in connection. Beyond individual therapy, we invite you to be part of Healing Beyond Shame (HBS), a growing community for individuals, couples, and professionals seeking shame-resilient, trauma-informed support..
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