Phone Therapists for SA

Here’s a list I compiled this month when contacting and looking into therapists who provide phone/skype therapy for sex addicts. I am posting this for Barbra and Jo, but obviously may be helpful for anyone living in remote locations and foreign countries that often lack adequate SA treatment options.

If anyone has any personal experience with these therapists, or know of any more, please share.

None of this is an endorsement. Even therapists who say they use the trauma model can still be bad. Also included are some non-trauma ones, for the sake of it, because of what Dr. Minwalla said to Barbra earlier – accountability, getting through to them, etc is most important.

John Watterson, Ph.D – Texas
http://www.johnwatterson.com

“I do treat sexual addiction and I do have one current patient who moved to Japan and we have had phone sessions and periodic updates via email. It’s something that I would be open to trying provided the patient was open to doing some additional reading and possibly online Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings also. Let me know more about the situation.”

Trauma model — According to Penny, “John Watterson: PhD, Addiction Specialist, my husband’s counselor. Every. Bit. As. Good. As. Omar., but on a weekly basis. Very, very special counselor. Gets trauma model completely. Gets through to these guys. “

Michael Dunn, MA, LMFT, MAC, CSAT – Georgia
http://www.cloverleafcounseling.com

“I do. I have a form they need to fill out that explains the SKYPE features and how the program works. I have three current SKYPE clients. Two live in foreign countries. I hope this helps!”

Trauma model — From site, “Cloverleaf Counseling offers a unique approach to help the spouse/partner. It is our understanding that the symptoms expressed by partners/spouses are very much trauma-based, which results from the hurtful impact of relationship with a sex/love addict. The following list was developed by Dr. Omar Manwala [sic] of Institute of Sexual Health in Beverly Hills, CA…” Then on the sexual trauma page, they include “partner of a sex addict” under list of categories where sexual abuse occurs. Posarc.com link also listed.

Additional info — “Before Michael was a counselor, he worked for four years for a local police department in the Vice Unit and Sex Crimes Unit. He gained a greater appreciation for the understanding of why addiction is a powerful addiction.”

EDITED TO ADD: Minwalla gave Dunn a thumbs down.

Dr. Bill Bercaw, PsyD, CSAT, CST – California
http://www.drsbercaw.com

Site says: “Because of the shortage of properly trained therapists in this specialized area of treatment, we offer coaching via Skype and phone.”

Trauma model — From site: “YOU HAVE SUFFERED A TRAUMA: You may be familiar with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is most widely associated with soldiers returning from combat and bringing their battlefield horrors home with them. Symptoms include hyper vigilance (always on guard), flashbacks (unwanted thoughts and images), elevated anxiety, reactivity, Insomnia, nightmares, etc. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because you have suffered your own trauma. It is very real and well-documented that people in your position- having recently discovered your spouse’s or partner’s secret sex life- often meet criteria for PTSD. You are NOT going crazy, it IS that serious, you are NOT alone, and there ARE things you can do to help yourself.”

They list 3 important books for partners to read, but it’s only Stefanie Carnes type stuff, they don’t include ‘Your Sexually Addicted Spouse’.

Lili thanks Dr Bill Bercaw on POSARC. She has recently put up a video series of interviews with him. Red flag though: in one interview on concerns about NPD, he gave a vague answer on the issue. See full series here:
http://posarc.com/resources/media/videos/227-interview-with-dr-bill-bercaw-4

EDITED TO ADD: Minwalla gave Bercaw a thumbs down.

Aaron Alan, MFT, CSAT – California
http://www.foundryclinicalgroup.com
http://www.aaronalan.com

“To answer your question, yes we do offer phone/Skype sessions under certain circumstances. It’s generally considered a higher quality of care to see a qualified therapist in person, if at all possible. If you live in an area where there are none within a reasonable distance, or if you are disabled and unable to attend therapy in person, and phone/Skype sessions are the only viable alternative, then that’s a different scenario and phone/Skype sessions could be warranted.”

Trauma model — Not likely. Mentions a lot of co-addict stuff on website, mixed with partners experience trauma.

Additional info — Past experience was at SRI. Said he worked under Omar Minwalla back then, if ever considering him it may be better to ask Omar what he knows about this guy. Understands partner’s need for polygraph use, but doesn’t seem to believe in accuracy/reliability.

Michael Barta, Ph.D, CSAT-S – Colorado
http://www.cosexualrecovery.com

Site says: “Dr. Michael Barta, Founder and Executive Director of The Colorado Sexual Recovery Center in Boulder, Colorado offer patients the convenience of Sex Addiction Treatment and Counseling via the telephone. This is a perfect option for people that travel or live outside the Boulder/Denver area. This is also a useful way to remain accountable in your recovery. After an Initial Consultation and Assessment, Dr. Barta will provide you with a treatment plan to stop your sexually compulsive behaviors and then work with you to stay away from sexually troublesome situations. The Colorado Sexual Recovery Center also allows clients to “Skype-in” for treatment. With this enhanced technology you can be virtually anywhere that there is an internet connection and still receive expert counseling. We currently have clients throughout the country.” Also “Two-Day Intensive Option – 6 hours on 2 consecutive days, includes: Individual therapy, education about sex addiction, spousal/partner involvement, and long-term planning for continued sobriety. The weekend format can be done at our facility or through SKYPE”

Trauma model — From site: “Spouses walk through our doors feeling hurt, angry, confused, heartbroken and alone. What they are actually experiencing is trauma.” Works alongside a partner CSAT therapist  “who is part of a larger, national movement lead by sex addiction experts to more effectively treat the wives and partners of sex addicts. We now know that trauma is what a spouse experiences when she/he first finds out about a partner’s “acting out.”

Additional info — Recovering SA and alcoholic. 12-step enthusiast. Very dubious stats: “Our center holds a 97% success rate. Since opening CRSC has had a 99% success rate in helping couple’s recover from sexual addiction and the wounds of infidelity”.

Ken McGill, PsyD, LMFT, CSAT – Texas
http://www.drkenmcgill.com

Site says: “Phone sessions could be scheduled for those with meeting or distance challenges in reaching the office.”

Trauma model — Very unlikely. He was director at Gentle Path at Pinegrove and “personally mentored” by Carnes.