WHAT IS ADOLESCENT PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR?

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There is no clear line that separates normative from problematic sexual behavior. Sexual behavior in adolescence occurs on a continuum, from typical, to concerning, to problematic.

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Problematic sexual behaviors include a wide range of behaviors:

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• Self-touch or self-stimulation that causes physical harm or damage, is excessive, and/or occurs in public in spite of interventions,

• Non-intrusive and repetitive sexual behaviors such as preoccupation with nudity, surreptitiously looking at others when they are naked, frequently showing private parts to others, preoccupation with pornography,  sexting, offensive sexualized language,

• Sexual touching without permission or consent, such as poking, rubbing or squeezing,

• Sexual interactions with others that are developmentally inappropriate or illegal,

• Distributing youth produced sexual images, such as through texting,

• Sexual contact with animals, and 

• Coercive or aggressive sexual behaviors.

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MY APPROACH TO TREATMENT OF PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN  ADOLESCENTS

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My training and experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Sex Therapist and Sex Offender Treatment Provider enable me to effectively counsel and educate adolescents, and their families, about such important aspects of sexual behavior as sexual health, boundaries, consent, assertiveness, emotional regulation, empathy, communication and other social skills and healthy relationships.

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I help young people understand the motivations for their problematic sexual behaviors. We examine their emotional, social and identity needs that their behaviors are meant to satisfy. I provide education, guidance and practical interventions to help them manage these behaviors effectively. I also offer coaching and support to caregivers to help them better understand their children and their children's behaviors.

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If you are concerned about sexual behaviors that an adolescent you care about is engaging in, please contact me to schedule your free phone consultation with me.

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