Struggling to control sexual thoughts or behaviors can feel overwhelming and isolating.
A Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) has specialized training to help you regain sexual control, rebuild trust in your relationships, and create healthier behavior patterns.
In this guide, we’ve explained how to find a CSAT therapist, so you can get the help you need.
CSAT therapist near me
Below, we’ve explained three of the best places to get connected with a CSAT-certified therapist.
1. ReGain Therapy
ReGain is an online platform that can match you with a therapist experienced in helping people address compulsive sexual behavior.
When you sign up, you’ll complete a short intake questionnaire, where you can outline the issues you need help with, such as sex addiction, mood disorders, or relationship challenges.
You can also specify your preferences in a therapist, such as CSAT qualifications, gender, or religion. You can request an LGBT-affirming counselor as well, if you’d prefer.
If you’re in a relationship, you can invite your partner to join sessions at any stage, potentially after you’ve made some progress one-on-one with your counselor. You also have the option to just attend counseling by yourself.
Therapy is generally conducted via video calls or phone sessions through the ReGain website or mobile app. You can also conduct live sessions via text, which may prove helpful if you struggle to open up over a video call.
One therapy session is included each week with your ReGain subscription, which you can book in at a time that works for you. Plus, you can also message your therapist at any time in between sessions, so you can instantly note down any questions, concerns, or feelings you experience during the week.
ReGain doesn’t accept insurance, so sessions are paid out of pocket. However, financial aid options are available for those struggling with low income or high expenses at the moment.
While pricing varies depending on your state, this platform can often be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy, even if you don’t qualify for their financial aid program.
2. IITAP Therapist Directory
The International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) is a great place to find therapists who hold a CSAT certification.
This directory lists mental health professionals who specialize in sex or porn addiction, including many who are Certified Sex Addiction Therapists.
In addition to sex addiction, IITAP therapists are also experienced in related treatment areas, including sexual dysfunction, trauma, couples counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirming care.
To start, visit the IITAP Find a Therapist page, select the clinical therapist option, and search by city, state, country, or certification (e.g., CSAT). Your search will return a list of CSAT-certified therapists with profiles including their specialties, credentials, contact details, and languages spoken.
Some profiles also link to the therapist’s website, where you can find additional information such as whether they offer individual, group, or couples therapy, and whether sessions are available online, in-person, or both.
However, pricing and insurance details are generally not listed on the IITAP directory, so you will need to contact each CSAT therapist directly to confirm these details before starting therapy.
If you want in-person support, this website is a great place to look for a CSAT therapist. However, more effort is needed to get connected with a counselor, compared to a service like ReGain that can immediately match you with a licensed therapist.
3. Online-Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com connects you with a therapist who conducts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a structured, research-backed approach to help manage a variety of behavioral concerns, including sex addiction.
CBT can also help you manage difficulties with intimacy, sexual well-being, or patterns of behavior you’d like to change.
When signing up, you’ll complete a short intake questionnaire where you can select “sex and sexuality” as your main concern and choose your preferences in a therapist, such as their gender, or whether or not they are LGBTQ+ affirming.
You can also choose how you’d like to connect with your sex therapist, whether through live video sessions, audio calls, or secure text messaging.
Once matched with a therapist, you’ll work through a personalized CBT program. Modules may focus on building insight, developing coping skills (e.g., going for a walk instead of turning to your phone), and creating a healthier, more balanced relationship with sex and intimacy.
Your therapist provides guidance and feedback throughout the process and stays connected via live sessions and/or ongoing messaging, depending on your subscription plan.
It is worth noting, health insurance is not accepted on this platform, and it can be a bit expensive if you choose a plan with regular live counseling sessions included.
How unwanted sexual behaviors are treated in therapy
Many people come to therapy hoping for a complete “cure”—the total removal of urges, thoughts, or behaviors related to sex addiction. It’s understandable, when you’re hurting, you want the pain to stop for good.
But with sexual addiction—as with most other forms of addiction—recovery is typically a lifelong process rather than a one-time fix.
Change is still absolutely possible, and therapy can help address the different ways it may appear, such as compulsive masturbation, pornography use, repeated sexual encounters with consenting adults, cybersex, or visits to strip clubs.
Whatever the pattern, these types of behaviors can lead to secrecy and isolation, often affecting relationships, self-esteem, and daily functioning. The good news is that treatment offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to begin the journey of change.
Treatment for sex addiction is often multimodal, combining different approaches to address hypersexuality.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help you identify sexual triggers, unhelpful thoughts, and compulsive behavior patterns. It also focuses on managing sexual urges and building healthier coping strategies.
Relapse prevention tools—such as anticipating high-risk sexual situations and challenging distorted thinking around sex—are often part of the process. For example, reframing “I can’t stop this” into “I can ride out this urge and choose differently.”
Psychodynamic therapy
For some, psychodynamic therapy helps uncover deeper emotional patterns, past trauma, or unconscious conflicts that may drive sexual compulsivity. For example, linking current urges to unresolved feelings of abandonment.
Mindfulness-based programs
Mindfulness-based programs can also teach you to stay present, manage sexual emotions, and ride out urges without acting on them. For example, noticing the sexual urge and letting it pass without reacting.
30-Task Model
A structured framework, such as Dr. Patrick Carnes’ 30-Task Model, can be integrated into any format of therapy (e.g., individual or group) for sex addiction.
This model moves through stages—from breaking through denial and managing crises to addressing underlying trauma and addictive sexual cycles, and finally fostering healthy intimacy and long-term stability.
Support groups
Support groups such as Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) or Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) provide peer accountability, a space to share openly about sexual struggles, and encouragement from others in recovery.
Couples therapy
Couples therapy can also be vital in cases where sex addiction has damaged trust or intimacy, helping partners heal together and establish healthier sexual behaviors.
What to look for in a CSAT therapist
Finding the right CSAT therapist plays an important role in your recovery.
Therapist profile
First, verify the therapists’ credentials—you can do this through the IITAP directory, which lists therapists who currently hold CSAT certification.
The CSAT credential is a specialized certification from the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), requiring advanced training in treating compulsive sexual behavior.
Make sure your potential therapist is licensed in the state where you live, as this is a legal requirement for providing you with therapy.
When looking for a CSAT therapist, consider not only their credentials but also their approach and skills—do they use methods that fit your needs, and do they have specific experience with treating compulsive sexual behavior?
In individual therapy, you might need someone who combines empathy with knowledge of your condition—someone who can guide you through proven therapeutic frameworks such as CBT or the 30-Task Model.
The therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of your progress, so it’s also worth considering your therapist’s communication style. Some clients prefer a warm, nurturing presence, while others feel more comfortable with a direct, goal-oriented approach.
Most therapists allow you to begin with a short introductory session, to see if they’re a good fit for you. On ReGain, it’s easy to change counselors at any time you’d like.
It’s crucial to choose someone who can make you feel understood, respected, and motivated.
However, watch out for red flags: therapists with no specific experience in compulsive sexual behavior, a judgmental attitude towards your sexual history, an overly blunt manner, or a vague, unstructured approach.
Other factors
Apart from the therapist’s characteristics, it’s also worth considering practical details, such as their availability, and whether they offer online or in-person sessions, depending on which format makes you feel most comfortable.
Also, check the counselor’s fees, as therapy can be expensive, especially when paying out of pocket. See if a counselor accepts your insurance, if you have mental health coverage, and you may want to explore more affordable choices, such as platforms like ReGain.
For directories like IITAP, be prepared to contact therapists directly to confirm pricing and insurance details.
How to know when you need a sex addiction therapist
“Alex never thought his online habits would spill over into real life. He wanted to stop—he’d promised himself many times—but the urge always returned. Admitting the problem felt impossible, and the thought of telling someone face-to-face was even harder.”
If Alex’s story sounds familiar, it might be time to reach out for professional help.
You may benefit from seeing a sex addiction therapist if you find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts, fantasies, or urges that interfere with your daily life. Even when you try to stop, you may notice a loss of control—returning to the behavior despite your intentions.
You might be engaging in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, multiple partners, or sexual activities in unsafe situations. Over time, this can lead to neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.
Sexual behavior can cause relationship problems, such as infidelity or difficulty maintaining stability. Some people experience an escalation in sexual behavior, needing more intense or risky activities to feel the same excitement.
You might also struggle with emotional distress—feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, or depression—and notice withdrawal-like symptoms (such as irritability or restlessness) when you try to cut back or stop.
It’s important to remember that a high sex drive is not the same as compulsive behavior. The difference lies in whether the behavior feels out of control, causes distress, or impacts your life in harmful ways.
Seeking help can prevent further damage, and start you on the path to recovery.
Is online CSAT therapy effective?
If you’ve ever wondered whether seeing a CSAT online is a good idea, you’re not alone.
For many, it may seem awkward or embarrassing to speak with a counselor about sexual challenges, especially in person. Online therapy can make this process a little bit easier.
The good news is that research and real-world results suggest that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person care for many people, especially for one-to-one counseling. Outcomes for addiction treatment delivered through telehealth often match those of face-to-face sessions.
Online CSAT therapy offers benefits that go beyond comfort or convenience—you can access help from anywhere, avoid travel time, and fit sessions around work or family life.
This makes it especially valuable if you live in a remote area, have mobility or childcare challenges, or simply feel more comfortable opening up from the privacy of your own space.
Evidence also shows that online programs for behavioral addictions—including pornography use—can reduce symptoms in the short term.
Online CSAT therapy uses proven methods for managing sexual behavior, such as changing unhelpful sexual thoughts, planning ahead to avoid setbacks, and boosting patient motivation to help them take back control.
That said, online therapy is not perfect for everyone.
If you need closer monitoring, find it hard to focus in virtual settings, or lack a private space, a hybrid model—combining online and in-person sessions—might be a better fit.
The important thing is choosing a format that supports your goals (e.g., symptom reduction) and makes you feel understood, respected, and supported.
Whether online, in person, or hybrid—the right CSAT-certified therapist can help you build lasting change, one step at a time.
Cost of CSAT therapy in the United States
Therapy for sex addiction isn’t always unaffordable—there are options at many different price points. The exact cost will depend on whether you choose in-person or online sessions, your location, and your therapist’s level of experience.
In-person CSAT therapy typically ranges from $120 to $250 per 50-minute session, and you’ll normally have one therapy session a week. In larger cities, or with highly experienced specialists, rates may be higher.
Online CSAT therapy can be more affordable—often between $70 and $150 per week. Platforms like ReGain ($70–$100 per week, billed monthly, with one weekly live session) offer a cheaper way to access sex addiction counseling, though they are not covered by most health insurance plans.
While IITAP’s directory helps you find certified therapists, you’ll usually arrange fees directly with the provider. Insurance coverage varies—some CSAT therapists accept insurance, but many work on a private-pay basis.
If you’re uninsured or your plan doesn’t cover this type of therapy, and you’d struggle to afford counseling, ask about sliding scale fees (also known as financial aid), which involve paying an adjusted rate based on how much you earn. Some providers also offer payment plans or reduced rates for online sessions.
If the cost of ongoing weekly therapy feels high, you could combine less frequent CSAT sessions with support groups (e.g., SAA or SLAA) to keep expenses manageable.
The most important factor is finding an arrangement that supports your recovery while fitting your budget, so you can stay consistent and focused on your recovery goals.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve reached this point, you’ve explored the key steps to understanding and addressing unwanted or harmful sexual behavior—or even sex addiction.
Hopefully, this article has helped you see that this is not about losing your sexuality—it’s about regaining control, building healthier patterns, and restoring trust in yourself and your relationships.
Now, the next step is finding the right therapist so you can begin the journey of healing and growth together.
