Find a Therapist for Sex Addiction in Ithaca

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

If you’re in Ithaca and seeking help for Sex Addiction, deciding to reach out is a big step. This page explains the condition and helps you find local therapists, with options that fit your schedule and travel needs.

  • Michael Roman, Psychiatrist

    Michael Roman

    Psychiatrist

    Remote only

    Michael Roman is a Psychiatrist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat Sex Addiction, Gambling Concerns, Men's Issues.

    Dr. Roman is fully licensed to practice medicine in Connecticut, NY, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, with the authority to prescribe all psychiatric meds

    View profile
  • Kristina Aran, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Kristina Aran

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Pre-Licensed Professional

    136 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016

    Kristina Aran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York, New York. They treat Sex Addiction, Alcohol Use, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality.

    Integrative psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and students seeking trauma-informed, affirming, and personalized mental health care.

    View profile
  • Dana Wang, Psychiatrist

    Dana Wang

    Psychiatrist

    274 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016

    Dana Wang is a Psychiatrist in New York, New York and has been in practice for 12 years. They treat Sex Addiction, Family Caregiving Stress, Burnout.

    Dana continues to be a passionate advocate for minority mental health and emotional wellness.

    View profile
  • Dr. Rachela Elias, Psychiatrist

    Dr. Rachela Elias

    Psychiatrist

    274 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016

    Dr. Rachela Elias is a Psychiatrist in New York, New York and has been in practice for 18 years. They treat Sex Addiction, Psychosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

    Compassionate psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression to help you create meaningful change in your life.

    View profile
  • Zelik Mintz, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Zelik Mintz

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Academy of Certified Social Workers License (ACSW)

    120 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201

    Zelik Mintz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Brooklyn, New York and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Sex Addiction, Polyamorous relationship, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.

    I provide a safe nonjudgmental environment that allows the people I am working with to experience and express their true selves.

    View profile
  • Sarah Fraser, Psychologist

    Sarah Fraser

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Sarah Fraser is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat Sex Addiction, Performance Anxiety, Career.

    I welcome clients of all sexualities, gender identities/expressions, and relationship structures.

    View profile

Understanding Sex Addiction

Sex Addiction is a recognized condition. It refers to a mental health concern that should be treated seriously, not as a personal weakness. In practical terms, it is something that can affect daily life and deserves support and care.

Common Signs and Symptoms

This section outlines common signs of sex addiction to help readers notice concerns early and decide whether it may be worth talking with a professional. These signs can look different from person to person, and having one or two does not necessarily mean there is a problem. If the pattern feels distressing, hard to control, or affects daily life, support may be helpful.

  • Feeling unable to cut back on sexual thoughts or behaviors, even after trying
  • Spending a lot of time planning, seeking, or recovering from sexual activity
  • Using sexual behavior to cope with stress, loneliness, anxiety, or low mood
  • Continuing the behavior despite problems in relationships, work, school, or finances
  • Hiding sexual activities or feeling strong shame, guilt, or secrecy around them
  • Needing more frequent or intense sexual experiences to feel satisfied
  • Feeling restless, irritable, or preoccupied when trying to stop or reduce the behavior

Why This Happens

Sex addiction often develops from a mix of biological, psychological, and social influences rather than a single cause. Some people are more vulnerable because of temperament, brain reward pathways, or a family history of addictive or impulsive behaviors. Emotional distress, trauma, and difficulty regulating stress can also play a major role. Over time, repeated use of sexual behavior to cope can make the pattern harder to control.

  • Biological factors: genetic vulnerability to addiction; differences in impulse control and reward processing; co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD.
  • Psychological factors: trauma or abuse history; using sexual behavior to cope with stress, loneliness, or low self-esteem; difficulty managing urges, emotions, or boundaries.
  • Environmental factors: early exposure to sexual content or behavior; relationship conflict or social isolation; easy access to sexual stimuli or opportunities.

How Treatment Works

Getting professional help can provide coping strategies that make urges and triggers easier to manage day to day. It can also help you make sense of your experiences in a way that feels less overwhelming and more manageable. Over time, treatment may reduce the impact on work, school, relationships, and other parts of daily life. In Ithaca, telehealth can be especially helpful when winter weather and hilly terrain make travel harder, and it can reduce stress about parking or getting across town. It may take some patience to find a good fit because insurance acceptance varies and sliding-scale clinics can have waitlists, but steady support can still make a meaningful difference.

Finding the right provider in Ithaca

To find the right Sex Addiction therapist in Ithaca, start by searching for therapists who specifically list experience with sex addiction. Use filters to narrow by insurance, availability, and treatment approach so the options match your practical needs. Because insurance acceptance varies and sliding-scale clinics can have waitlists, it helps to compare several providers at once. Personal fit matters too, since you want someone whose style feels comfortable and supportive. MiResource makes comparing options easier, especially when you are balancing travel, scheduling, and telehealth.

Local Care Logistics in Ithaca

If you’re looking for a therapist for sex addiction in Ithaca, it can help to focus your search near neighborhoods such as Collegetown, Downtown Ithaca, South Hill, Fall Creek, and Cayuga Heights. These areas may be easier to reach if you rely on bus transit or walking, though steep hills, winter weather, and limited parking can still affect travel and timing. Demand can rise around Cornell University and Ithaca College during semester peaks, end-of-semester stress, and other campus calendar changes, so appointment availability may be tighter when student schedules are busiest. If travel is difficult, telehealth may be a practical option during winter or when roads are less reliable. You may also want to check providers in areas with easier access outside central Ithaca if commuting from nearby communities is part of your routine.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in Ithaca

If you’re looking for support for Sex Addiction in Ithaca, Tompkins County Mental Health Services, NAMI Finger Lakes, and 211 Tompkins/Cortland can be good places to start for navigation help, referrals, and community-based support. Cornell University and Ithaca College can also be starting points for students through campus counseling or student support services. Sliding-scale clinics may exist but can have waitlists, so telehealth can help reduce winter travel burdens and scheduling barriers. Many services are easier to reach around downtown and campus areas, but hilly terrain, winter weather, limited parking, and bus or walking access can affect how people get to appointments.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Use emergency services right away if sex addiction leads to immediate risk of harm, suicidal thoughts, inability to stay safe, or behavior that feels out of control and urgent. Call 988 or 911 if there is a crisis, and use Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County (607-272-1616), Tompkins County Mental Health Crisis Line (607-274-7000), Tompkins County Mobile Crisis Team, or Cayuga Health Crisis Intervention Services if you need urgent help in Ithaca. If it is safer to go in person, the nearest emergency departments include Cayuga Medical Center, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, Schuyler Hospital, and Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Hilly terrain, winter weather, bus transit, walking, and limited parking near campuses and downtown can affect how quickly you get there.

  1. Watch for a crisis: thoughts of self-harm, feeling unable to stop unsafe behavior, severe distress, or loss of control that makes it hard to stay safe.
  2. If the situation is immediate, call 988 or 911 now; if you can use a local option, contact Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County (607-272-1616), Tompkins County Mental Health Crisis Line (607-274-7000), Tompkins County Mobile Crisis Team, or Cayuga Health Crisis Intervention Services.
  3. If you need urgent in-person care in Ithaca, go to the nearest emergency department: Cayuga Medical Center, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, Schuyler Hospital, or Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
  4. Expect a safety-focused evaluation first, with questions about current risk and immediate support needs before next steps are arranged.

Common Questions About Sex Addiction

Q: When should someone in Ithaca see a therapist for sex addiction? A: Consider seeing a therapist if sexual thoughts or behaviors feel hard to control, cause distress, or interfere with work, school, relationships, or daily life. It can also help if you have tried to cut back on your own and keep returning to the same patterns. Reaching out sooner may make it easier to address shame, stress, or other concerns that may be contributing. If travel is difficult because of weather or transit, telehealth may be a practical starting point.

Q: What should I do if the first therapist is not a good fit? A: It is okay to keep looking if you do not feel understood, respected, or comfortable. You can share your concerns directly and see whether the therapist adjusts their approach, but you do not have to stay if the fit still feels wrong. A different therapist may have more experience with sex addiction, compulsive behaviors, or related issues. Finding a good match often takes a little time.

Q: Can virtual therapy help with sex addiction? A: Virtual therapy can be a useful option for many people with sex addiction. It may be especially helpful if winter travel, parking, or busy schedules make in-person visits harder. Some people find it easier to talk openly from home, while others prefer face-to-face care. The best choice depends on your comfort, privacy, and treatment needs.

Q: What should I ask when choosing a therapist for sex addiction? A: You may want to ask about their experience treating sex addiction or compulsive sexual behavior. It can also help to ask what therapy methods they use, how they handle confidentiality, and whether they offer in-person or virtual visits. If cost matters, ask about insurance, sliding-scale options, and scheduling flexibility. Their answers can help you decide whether they are a good fit for your goals.

Q: Does therapy for sex addiction help over time? A: Therapy may help people understand triggers, build coping skills, and make changes that support better control over their behavior. Over time, it can also address related issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship stress, or shame. Progress is often gradual, and setbacks can happen along the way. Regular treatment and follow-up can improve the chances of lasting change.

Local Resources in Ithaca

MiResource can help you search for clinicians in Ithaca, NY who treat Sex Addiction. You can filter by insurance, specialty, and availability to find someone who fits your needs.

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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