Sex and porn addiction rarely happen in isolation. In fact, many people in Portland who struggle with compulsive sexual behaviors are also living with unresolved trauma—whether from childhood, past relationships, or other painful life experiences.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I keep doing this, even when I hate how it makes me feel?”—trauma may be a piece of the puzzle.

At our Portland therapy practice, we specialize in helping clients uncover the emotional roots of their sex and porn addiction. Whether you’re dealing with betrayal, abuse, neglect, or emotional abandonment, our therapists provide trauma-informed care both in person and through secure Zoom sessions.

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What Is Trauma?

Trauma isn’t always the result of one major event. It can also come from a series of small, painful experiences that impact your emotional safety over time.

Examples include:

• Childhood neglect or emotional invalidation
• Sexual abuse or early exposure to sexual content
• Growing up in a chaotic or unpredictable household
• Rejection, bullying, or betrayal by a caregiver or partner
• Religious or cultural shame around sex or identity

These experiences can shape your sense of worth, safety, and identity—and lead to patterns of coping that may include sexual behaviors, fantasy, or compulsive porn use.

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How Trauma Fuels Sex and Porn Addiction

Many people turn to sex or pornography to numb emotional pain or escape difficult feelings. The behaviors may feel pleasurable in the moment—but they’re often driven by a deeper need for comfort, control, or connection.

You may be using these behaviors to:

• Avoid feelings of loneliness, fear, or worthlessness
• Regain a sense of power or control
• Distract from anxiety or depression
• Fill emotional voids caused by childhood trauma
• Cope with shame or unresolved grief

Over time, these coping mechanisms can become addictive—creating a painful cycle of escape, regret, and secrecy.

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The Role of Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out

If trauma is fueling your addiction, simply trying to “quit the behavior” often isn’t enough. You need to understand and heal the underlying emotional wounds.

That’s where therapy comes in.

At our Portland-based practice, we provide trauma-informed sex and porn addiction counseling that helps you:

• Identify the root causes of your behavior
• Learn how trauma shaped your emotional patterns and triggers
• Build healthier coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills
• Restore your sense of safety, control, and self-worth
• Reconnect with yourself and others from a place of wholeness

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What Trauma-Informed Therapy Looks Like

We know how hard it is to open up about your past or your behaviors—that’s why we create a safe, nonjudgmental environment for healing. Whether in-person or on Zoom, our therapy is built on trust, compassion, and respect.

You’ll learn to:

• Recognize trauma responses in your body and mind
• Understand your addiction through the lens of survival, not shame
• Use mindfulness and grounding tools to stay present
• Set boundaries and build secure relationships
• Find long-term healing, not just symptom relief

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You’re Not Alone

Many people in the Portland area are silently battling the double burden of trauma and addiction. But here’s the truth: healing is possible.

When you begin to address the pain that led to the addiction, everything begins to change—from your thoughts and emotions to your relationships and choices.