Renowned Addictions Expert Debates The Myth of Sex Addiction at International Conference for Sexual Educators and Therapists
Internationally noted author, educator and tech/sex/addiction specialist Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, will debate about the book, The Myth of Sex Addiction, at the 47th Annual Conference of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) May 12, 2015 – Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, senior vice president of clinical development for Elements Behavioral Health and founder of The Sexual Recovery InstituteSM in Los Angeles, has been invited to debate the concept of sexual addiction on June 5, at the annual conference of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). The conference, to be held June 3-7 in Minneapolis, is expected to draw 800-1000 experts in sex education and sex therapy along with interested social workers, psychologists, sociologists, nurses and physicians.
The debate pits Weiss, author of Always Turned On: Sex Addiction in the Digital Age, Cruise Control and Sex Addiction 101, against David Ley, PhD, author of the highly controversial The Myth of Sex Addiction. They will debate whether hypersexual behavior disorder exists, and if so, whether it should be classified as an addictive disorder. Weiss will draw from more than three decades of clinical research and expertise to argue in support of the classification, while Ley, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based clinical psychologist, will argue the opposing view.
“This is going to be a lively exchange on an important topic,” says Weiss. “Given the widespread problems that people are having with all types of addiction, including out-of-control online porn use and other compulsive behaviors that are seriously affecting quality of life and quality of relationships, it’s essential that those of us who work in the arena of human sexuality can enjoy an open exchange of ideas and opinions,” he says. “This is one of many timely discussions that we, as therapists, need to have; it’s more important than ever to have accurate assessment and treatment strategies available related to sexual problems evolving in the digital world and in real life.”
Weiss has developed sex addiction and intimacy disorder programs at mental health and addiction treatment centers across the U.S., including The Ranch SM treatment center in Tennessee and The Right Step® facilities in Texas, and later in 2015 will open additional programs at COPAC SM treatment center in Mississippi and the Brightwater Landing SM program in Pennsylvania.
The conference will offer more than 50 presentations and panels on clinical techniques, research applications and educational approaches in the field of sexual science. The event will be held at the Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, visit the conference website.
About Robert Weiss
Robert Weiss is widely considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on sex and technology addictions along with the intimacy disorders that often underlie these problems. A media expert to CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Network, ESPN, The New York Times, USA Today, NBC News and the Today Show, among others, Mr. Weiss also has provided clinical training and program development for the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. military, and behavioral treatment centers throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
About The Sexual Recovery InstituteSM
Since 1995, the Sexual Recovery Institute has been one of the nation’s premier outpatient programs for men and women struggling with relationship, love and sex addiction. Based in Los Angeles, California, the institute offers confidential, affordable and gender-specific programs that encourage healthy sexuality and intimacy, including two-week intensives and individual, group and couples treatment. For more information, call (855) 893-5987 or visit www.sexualrecovery.com.
The Sexual Recovery Institute is a member of Elements Behavioral Health, an owner of a series of behavioral health programs located throughout the United States. The Elements Behavioral Health® family of programs offers comprehensive, innovative treatment for substance abuse, sexual addiction, trauma, eating disorders, and other mental health disorders. Through its programs, the company is committed to delivering clinically sophisticated treatment that promotes permanent lifestyle change, not only for the patient but for the entire family network. For more information, visit elementsbehavioralhealth.com.