Specialized Therapy for Deep Recovery

When it comes to porn and sex addiction, many people focus only on the surface behaviors — the compulsive sexual acting out, the secrecy, the cycle of shame. But at the core of many addictions lies something deeper: unresolved trauma.

At our Portland-based porn and sex addiction therapy center, we recognize that true, lasting recovery often requires healing trauma, not just managing behavior. Whether you’re located in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, or anywhere in Oregon, our in-person and online therapy services are here to help you break free from addiction at its roots.

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How Trauma and Sex Addiction Are Connected

Sex and porn addictions aren’t just about “too much desire” or “lack of willpower.” They’re often about trying to numb emotional pain, regulate overwhelming feelings, or fill unmet attachment needs — all of which are common after trauma.

Common types of trauma linked to addiction include:

• Childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Neglect or abandonment by caregivers
• Emotional invalidation (growing up feeling unseen, unheard, or unloved)
• Bullying, humiliation, or chronic social rejection
• Sexual assault or harassment
• Attachment trauma (insecure or disrupted early relationships)
• Religious trauma or moral shame conditioning

When trauma isn’t processed properly, it can leave deep wounds. Over time, compulsive sexual behavior and pornography use can become a way to cope, escape, or temporarily “feel good” — even though it ultimately leads to more pain.

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Signs That Trauma May Be Fueling Your Addiction

You might be dealing with unresolved trauma if you:

• Feel emotionally numb much of the time
• Struggle with self-worth, shame, or inner criticism
• Experience flashbacks, intrusive memories, or dissociation
• Use porn or sex to self-soothe intense emotions like fear, loneliness, sadness, or anger
• Find that no amount of porn, hookups, or sexual experiences actually makes you feel fulfilled or connected
• Fear real intimacy even though you crave it
• Engage in risky sexual behaviors despite knowing the consequences

If these patterns sound familiar, you’re not broken — your brain and body are trying to survive. Healing is absolutely possible.