Faith-based trauma-informed treatment for sexual addiction: A case illustration
Description
Aims. The case illustration aims to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in reducing cravings in Christians who struggle with sexual addiction.
Method. A clergyman with sexual cravings was referred by a pastoral counselling centre to the clinician for de-addiction treatment. Following CravEx protocol (Hase, 2010), the Standard EMDR Protocol remains the guideline for treatment planning, thus addressing past, present, and future, and resulting in maintenance of abstinence.
Results. The results showed that EMDR is effective and efficient in reducing cravings in a clergyman who struggles with lust. During EMDR, client’s negative images, emotions and cognition were decreased and gradually lost their reliability, whereas positive aspects became alive and active.
Conclusions. EMDR may be an effective method for the treatment of sexual addiction in Christians.