Life Healing Center Introduces First-Ever Inpatient Care for Partners of Sex Addicts

Life Healing Center, a comprehensive behavioral health and addiction treatment facility located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will soon introduce a first-of-its-kind residential care treatment program for partners of sex addicts, the "ALMA" program. The inaugural session of ALMA will run from March 10-22, 2013. The two-week ALMA program will be separate and distinct from Life Healing Center's existing 35-day sex addiction treatment program.

"We are very proud to announce this exclusive new program that addresses the underserved needs of partners of sex addicts," said Mary Young, Executive Director of Life Healing Center. "As a pioneer in the field of sex addiction treatment, we felt a special responsibility to introduce this very necessary aspect of treatment for the sake of the spouses and significant others of our clients and non-clients alike."
Developed by Life Healing Center Clinical Director, Dr. Kenneth M. Adams, Ph.D., CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist), ALMA is a therapeutic, residential program designed to begin or continue the healing process for spouses or partners of sex addicts. The program is especially helpful for those in acute distress or others who are burdened by longer-term chronic distress, says Dr. Adams. The program is facilitated in a "respectful, caring, and validating atmosphere," and completely separated from clients in Life Healing Center's sex addiction treatment program.

"Partners and spouses of sex addicts are traumatized by the discovery, deceit, denial, and disclosure of a secret sexual life that has violated the implicit or explicit trust in the partnership or marriage," said Dr. Adams. "In addition, they often have been 'gas-lighted' by being told that they were crazy, too jealous, and somehow responsible. Often times, the partners feel it is their fault. They are left confused, shamed, hurt, angry, self-critical, and anxious."

ALMA is designed specifically for spouses to 1) provide support and relief from emotional pain, 2) validate feelings and experiences as credible, 3) assist in reclaiming their reality, judgment and power, and 4) start a self-care plan with "non-negotiables" for any future involvement in an ongoing relationship.
ALMA is offered once per month on the serene healing grounds of Life Healing Center. By assuring that the program has the same participants for the entire two weeks, clients are able to bond to one another and are protected from being re-traumatized by new testimonials of betrayal. Additional supportive therapies such as yoga, psychodrama and art therapy are available to support the recovery and healing process.

Therapists involved in the ALMA program work closely with referring therapists before, during, and at discharge of the client's stay to assure that the healing process is integrated with outpatient work.
Dr. Adams will be discussing the program at the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Symposium in Scottsdale on Friday, February 15th. To register for this portion of the Symposium, or for more information, contact Life Healing Center at (800) 949-7406.

This year, Life Healing Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary providing treatment of trauma and addictions. It launched the first gender-specific residential programming for sex, love and relationship addiction in 2007. Life Healing Center offers clients an individualized treatment experience to address issues such as trauma, PTSD, substance abuse, grief/bereavement, love/sex addiction, dissociative disorders and codependency. The Center's therapeutic model combines individual and group therapy and a 12-Step philosophy with holistic, mind-body-spirit elements such as fitness and meditation. The unique Life Healing Center experience can be attributed to its highly qualified staff, a specialized approach to wellness and recovery, and the serene natural environment of the foothills of New Mexico.

Life Healing Center is a member of CRC Health Group, the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. CRC offers the largest array of personalized treatment options, allowing individuals, families and professionals to choose the most appropriate treatment setting for their behavioral, addiction, weight management and therapeutic education needs. CRC is committed to making its services widely and easily available while maintaining a passion for delivering advanced treatment. Since 1995, CRC programs have helped individuals and families reclaim and enrich their lives.