Shmuel Skaist Verified by Lit Path

I work with couples recovering from compulsive sexual behavior, pornography, and infidelity, where one partner is working on their own recovery and the other is carrying the trauma of betrayal. Early sessions focus on stabilizing the relationship and, when it is the right step, preparing for a formal therapeutic disclosure (with polygraph support where appropriate) so that trust is rebuilt on the truth rather than on guesses. From there we move into rebuilding the relationship itself, drawing on the Developmental Model (Couples Institute), PACT (Levels 1 and 2), and the Gottman Method (Levels 1 and 2), with the betrayed partner’s healing held as a central goal rather than an afterthought.

Ages

Young Adult (18-20), Adult (21-64)

Approach

Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy

I offer small therapy groups for people in recovery from compulsive sexual behavior and pornography, and new groups form when there is enough interest to run one. My approach is shaped by Yalom’s process-group model, where the group itself does much of the work: members find they are not alone, practice honesty in the room, and get real feedback from people who understand from the inside. I also run mixed groups that are not addiction-specific, for people working through the ordinary hard things in life — loss, transitions, loneliness, difficult relationships — who want the same honest, supportive room to do it in.

Ages

Adult (21-64)

Approach

Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy

I work with men and women who are struggling with compulsive sexual behavior and pornography, as well as out-of-control spending and cannabis use. As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and a Certified Multiple Addictions Therapist I use IITAP’s task-centered approach, which means sessions are practical and structured: understanding what drives the behavior, building real sobriety, and working through the shame, isolation, and relationship damage that come with it. I am also APSATS-trained to work with betrayed partners individually, so a partner who needs their own space to process the trauma, make sense of what happened, and decide what comes next can do that work with me.

Ages

Young Adult (18-20), Adult (21-64)

Approach

Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy

Family sessions are for adult family members, including young adults, who are living with the aftermath of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma in their family, whether the person in recovery is a spouse, a parent, or an adult child; these sessions are not for children. A discovery or disclosure lands on the whole family, so sessions give everyone a safe place to say what they are feeling, ask the questions they have been afraid to ask, and understand what recovery and healing realistically look like. The aim is a family that can talk about what happened without secrecy or blame, with clear boundaries and a workable path to rebuilding trust at each person’s own pace.

Ages

Young Adult (18-20), Adult (21-64)

Approach

Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy