Purpose & Disclosure:

            I thought it would be good for the RI Chapter of NASW’s Addiction Committee and for me to write a series of blogs about my reactions to each chapter of Mending A Shattered Heart, edited by Stephanie Carnes, Ph.D.  Cara Tripodi, LICSW, wrote the chapter on boundaries. She presented our seminar on sexual addiction last spring and will be presenting a follow up seminar on March 30^th, entitled "Partners Caught in the Crossfire: Sex Addictions' Impact on Loved Ones"

            I’ve had considerable experience doing therapy, but not with the treatment of co-dependent partners and families.  Therefore, I can approach this blog as a learner sharing my experience and I am hoping this will develop into a dialogue. Reading each chapter and writing a response at least will deepen my understanding.  Hopefully that will generate greater interest in the seminar and greater interest in this issue within the professional community in Southeastern New England. Sexual addiction has not been a common topic for professional seminars in this area.  In her introduction Stephanie Carnes cited an estimate of 1 to 3% incidence in the general population of this form of addiction.

            Of course commenting on this book is not proving to be the simple process I expected.  Although the book was intended to be a guide for the partner who discovers his/her partner is a sex addict, it provides a detailed description of the dynamics involved as well as a procedural guide. Sometimes I find my commentary is getting ahead of the book and sometimes I find myself skipping by important dynamics.  In short this project is a more ambitious endeavor than i was prepared for and another life lesson in humility.  I welcome any assistance offered.