Sex can be a beautiful thing.

Like most things, though, it makes a great servant but a terrible master. When sex becomes the thing you live for it can become downright poisonous. Defined as any sex-related compulsive behavior, sex addiction can take a serious toll on your family, friends, and career.

The only surefire way to avoid these negative consequences is to get help. Keep reading to learn how to escape compulsive sexual behavior and get back your mental health.

Sex addiction 101

Sex addiction wears many hats — and can go by many names. It’s often called hypersexuality, sexual dependency, and sexual compulsivity.

Regardless of its title, though, sex addiction is marked by compulsive sexual behavior that overtakes the addict’s life. Sex addicts prioritize sex over their friends, family, career, and life goals. They may be likely to compromise on their morals, ethics, and spiritual beliefs.

While no behavior is a sure sign of sexual addiction, sex addicts usually exhibit several of the following telltale symptoms:

• Compulsive masturbation
• Compulsive porn use
• Prostitution use
• Exhibitionism
• Voyeurism
• Casual sex
• Anonymous sex
• Relationship-jumping
• Sexually acting out

• Intrusive sexual thoughts
• Repeat sexual affairs
• Other sexually compulsive behaviors
• Dangerous or unprotected sexual activity

Sex addiction is increasingly being referred to as “chronically problematic sexual behaviors,” a more specific term that leaves room for wide-ranging activities.

Sex Addiction: does it impact mental health?

Sex addiction can most definitely impact your mental health.

In fact, sexual addiction and mental health go together from the beginning. Sexual addiction is most accurately diagnosed when diagnostic tests are carried out by a professional. Bonus points if your mental health professional is a CSAT, or certified sex addiction therapist.

These types of therapists will be able to evaluate one’s level of sex addiction based on more nuanced factors, including:

• The inability to quit harmful sexual behavior despite harmful consequences
• The neglect of important social activities due to sexual behavior
• The use of sexual fantasy as a coping mechanism

Is sex addiction similar to drug addiction?

It sure can be. Sex addiction is similar to drug addiction, eating disorders, and other types of addictive behaviors.

Certified sex addiction therapists and/or licensed professional counselors can help you decide which of the following treatment options are best:

• Couples therapy (for partners of sex addicts)

• Online accountability partners
• Online sex addiction therapists
• Sex addicts anonymous

All this aside, let’s take a closer look at how online sex addiction therapy works. This new form of therapy is accessible, affordable, and effective! Here are the details.

5 best sex addiction therapists

• BetterHelp
• TalkSpace
• Regain.us
• BrightSide
• Cerebral

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the most popular online therapy platform of all. Its 20,000+ therapists serve patients throughout all 50 US states. BetterHelp offers a wide variety of mental health services — including assistance with sex addiction.

The only significant downside to BetterHelp is that it doesn’t offer prescriptions. There are plenty of other ways to break free from sex addiction and improve your well-being, though.

TalkSpace

TalkSpace offers simple pricing structures that are designed to fit almost any budget. This online therapy platform accepts insurance, too. TalkSpace’s therapists are fully licensed and equipped to help with behavioral addictions of all sorts. Talkspace might turn out to be hugely helpful to your mental health journey.

Regain.us

Regain.us is unique in that it focuses on online couples therapy. It’s a great choice for couples whose relationships have been damaged by porn addiction, sex addiction, and other types of sexual dysfunction. Consider Regain if you or your loved ones have experienced traumatic stress from sex/love addiction.

BrightSide

While there are many online therapy platforms that offer, well, therapy, Brightside is one of the few platforms that can also prescribe psychiatric medication. Users can choose between the therapy-only plan or the therapy+medication plant. One of the only real drawbacks to Brightside is that they don’t yet have a mobile app for on-the-go users.

Cerebral

Cerebral’s online therapy platform can also prescribe psychiatric medications online. This company’s therapy options are on the pricier side, but at least they’re adjustable. Monthly costs typically range from $85-$325+ per month depending on whether you’d like to work with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Cerebral does accept insurance, though, which means your out-of-pocket costs might not be as high as you’d think. Cerebral also has a level of mobile app access that most other online platforms do not.

Online sex addiction therapists: a great way to get the help you need

Dealing with sex addition isn’t easy — but therapy makes it possible! Take the leap if you need to heal from sexual dysfunction. An online therapist can provide some much-needed advice, suggest treatment programs, or even prescribe medication.