Paul Kelner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Treatment for Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors

     Has porn watching or chronic masturbation caused problems in your marriage, relationship or career?

     Are you hiding certain sexual behaviors from your loved ones?

     Are you engaging in sexual behaviors you’ve tried to stop, but can’t?

     If you’ve answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, read on. Help is available!

Your Behaviors

Those who come to me for help, struggle with one or more of the following behaviors:       

                  ·      Compulsive masturbation

·      Chronic porn watching

·      Serial infidelities

·      High-risk sexual behaviors

·      Multiple addictions

·      Problems with intimacy and trust

·      Cybersex, chat rooms, hook-up or dating websites.

Healthy Sexual Behavior and Recovery

Of course, managing your problematic behaviors is essential. However, if you are willing to work hard at recovery, you will not only begin to cope more effectively with the sexual behaviors that brought you into treatment; you will also establish a sense of healthy sexuality that will be key to maintaining a strong, long-term recovery.

 “Sexuality should be an integral and balanced part of our life experience. However, when sex becomes all-consuming, or when we deprive ourselves of healthy sexual expression, our sexuality acts as a barrier filled with shame and self-contempt. It isolates us from attachment with others.

 “Healthy sexual behavior, on the other hand, creates intimacy and closeness. It is characterized by trust, respect, joy and safety.” Dr. Ken Adams, Noted Sex Addiction Therapist, Author & Educator

What is Sexual Health?

Sexually healthy men and women:

ü Interact with all genders in appropriate and respectful ways

How Can I Help You?

I have been working exclusively with men and women who are struggling with these issues since 2008. I was a trainee of Dr. Patrick Carnes, a leader in this field who has been conducting research, treating men and women with compulsive sexual behaviors and training mental health professionals how to help them for more than 30 years. In 2010, I completed my training as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist.

Since 2010, I have been privileged to work with many men and women who have come to me for help with their out-of-control sexual issues. As a result of this experience, I’ve developed a multidimensional treatment approach that can help you:

 v Become aware of the underlying forces that are driving your compulsions;

 v Learn tools and acquire knowledge you can apply right away that will enable you to cope with your compulsive behaviors;

              v Gradually integrate healthy sexuality into your life.

This treatment approach incorporates elements from my sex addiction therapy training with my previous training in Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Motivational Interviewing and Interpersonal Therapy.

I provide treatment that is safe, confidential and respectful.

Services Provided

Individual Sessions

In individual sessions, I will work one-on-one with you in a safe, caring, and confidential environment to develop and put into action a strong recovery program - a program that is tailored to your needs and resources and that will address your particular issues. 

I also can provide information about community support groups, including optional 12-Step or Smart Recovery programs and other mental health resources and professionals who may be supportive to you. I also can arrange an admission to an inpatient treatment program, if that level of treatment is needed either now or later on in your recovery.

I also may recommend specially designed print materials to supplement the work done in individual sessions. These materials can be especially helpful to those in early recovery.

Individual sessions are 50 minutes or 90 minutes.

Group Sessions

Group therapy can be a profound and powerful experience. The first time you realize you are not alone – that others have experienced what you have experienced – you will have a great sense of relief, connection and hope.

Groups develop and maintain a “group consciousness” of sexual sobriety, accountability and personal integrity. Group members discuss their recovery, relationship and family concerns using the facilitator and group members as a sounding board while gaining inner strength, hope and the motivation to do better.

Group sessions meet weekly in the evening and run two hours.

I conduct individual and group sessions at my offices in Rockville and Ellicott City, Maryland.  If indicated, group sessions may be combined with individual sessions to create a powerful treatment experience.

Support for Spouses and Partners

Perhaps the lowest point in a marriage comes when one spouse discovers that his/her partner has been engaging in a secret life that has included compulsive and/or high-risk sexual behavior.

If your spouse’s sexual behavior or infidelities are threatening your marriage and your family, or if you suspect that your spouse is living a ”secret life”, professional support can help you cope with the emotions you are experiencing and work through some of the life-changing decisions you will be facing over the coming months. 

Get Help Now!