Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025You’re in the right place to find help for sex addiction in New Orleans. Explore trusted therapists, treatment programs, and support tailored to your needs. We make it simple to connect with local care, start recovery, and regain control with compassionate, confidential support.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
650 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Rashida Taylor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in New Orleans, Louisiana. They treat Sex Addiction, Paranoid Personality, Polyamorous relationship.
Rashida is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Lousiana
Sex addiction, sometimes called compulsive sexual behavior, is a pattern of sexual thoughts and actions that feel hard to control even when they cause stress or harm. People may find themselves preoccupied with sex, using it to cope with difficult emotions, or needing more frequent or risky experiences to feel the same relief. Common signs include failed attempts to cut back, secrecy, guilt or shame, and problems at home, work, or school. It’s not about judging desire; it’s about when sexual behavior feels out of control and gets in the way of a balanced life. Anyone can be affected, including people here in New Orleans.
Awareness matters because understanding the basics helps reduce stigma and opens the door to support. Recognizing early signs can protect relationships, emotional well-being, finances, and health, especially when stress and celebration are part of daily life in our city. Noticing patterns—like compulsive urges, escalating behaviors, or neglecting responsibilities—can be a first step toward change. Learning more also helps friends and family respond with care instead of criticism. If this sounds familiar, know that help is available and you’re not alone.
Sex addiction can affect anyone—people of any age, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, or background. While all communities are impacted, some groups may experience it more often, such as those with trauma histories, high stress, co-occurring mental health or substance use challenges, or limited access to supportive relationships; men may report it more frequently, though people of all genders can be affected. Experiencing these struggles does not define your worth, and you are not alone. Help is available, and seeking support is a strong, positive step.
If you’re in New Orleans and noticing patterns around sexual thoughts or behaviors that feel hard to manage, you’re not alone. Noticing early signs can help you decide what kind of support might help. Small steps toward clarity are a strong start.
- Frequent, persistent sexual thoughts or urges that feel intrusive or hard to control
- Repeated attempts to cut back that don’t last or lead to distress
- Spending excessive time planning, pursuing, or recovering from sexual activities
- Continuing behaviors despite harmful impact on relationships, work, finances, or health
- Using sexual behavior to cope with stress, loneliness, anxiety, or difficult emotions
- Feeling guilt, shame, or secrecy around behaviors, including hiding them from others
- Escalating risk-taking to get the same relief or excitement
You’re not alone. Sex Addiction is a complex health issue influenced by many factors. Understanding these contributors can reduce shame and help you find the support you deserve.
- Biological
- Family history or genetic vulnerability
- Differences in brain reward chemistry (dopamine, serotonin)
- Hormonal changes or medical conditions affecting libido
- Psychological
- Past trauma, neglect, or attachment wounds
- Co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Low self-worth, shame, or difficulty managing emotions and stress
- Environmental
- Early or repeated exposure to sexual content
- Easy, constant access through technology
- Relationship conflict, isolation, or limited social support
Feeling overwhelmed by the ways compulsive sexual behaviors may be affecting your day-to-day life is understandable—and you’re not alone. Many people in New Orleans face unique pressures, from busy service-industry schedules to a lively nightlife and festival season. This section can help you recognize common challenges and take the next step toward relief and support.
- Work and school: Trouble focusing, missed shifts or classes, or performance dips—especially with late hours in hospitality or during festival seasons.
- Relationships and family: Strain from secrecy, broken trust, or conflicts that make home life feel tense or disconnected.
- Emotional well-being: Cycles of shame, anxiety, depression, or guilt that make it hard to feel present and hopeful.
- Physical health: Sleep disruption, exhaustion, sexually transmitted infections, or neglecting medical care.
- Finances and legal issues: Overspending, risky situations, or consequences that create stress with bills or housing.
- Daily routines and time: Losing hours online or seeking behaviors, showing up late, or canceling plans around cravings.
- Community and social life: Avoiding gatherings or, conversely, feeling triggered by nightlife, parades, or large events like Mardi Gras.
Recovery is possible. With compassionate care and a clear plan, you can regain control, rebuild trust, and move toward a healthier, more connected life.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you spot patterns and triggers, build coping skills, and create a practical relapse-prevention plan.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based approaches: Teach you to ride out urges, reduce shame, and make choices guided by your values.
- Medication support (e.g., SSRIs or naltrexone, when appropriate): Can lessen obsessive thoughts and strong urges; prescribed and monitored by a medical professional.
- Peer support groups (e.g., SAA, SLAA, SMART Recovery): Offer connection, accountability, and proven tools from others in recovery.
- Couples or Family Therapy: Improves communication, sets healthy boundaries, and supports healing for you and your loved ones.
- Lifestyle and digital safety plan: Uses trigger management, blocking software, structured routines, sleep, exercise, and stress reduction to support lasting change.
Starting sex addiction therapy often begins with recognizing patterns that are causing distress, then exploring options that feel safe and workable. Use the MiResource directory to research and compare providers by therapy approach (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic, CSAT/12‑step–informed), insurance accepted, real-time availability (evenings or weekends), language (English, Spanish, Vietnamese), and neighborhood in New Orleans. Consider practical fit: if you live in Uptown, Garden District, or Mid-City, a provider near the St. Charles or Canal streetcar lines may simplify travel; if you’re in Marigny/Bywater or Treme, check Rampart–St. Claude bus/streetcar access; if you’re in Algiers, the ferry to Canal Street/CBD may help. Factor in parking challenges in the French Quarter and CBD, or choose telehealth to skip I‑10 traffic.
Once you’ve compared a few options, book a first session through MiResource or the provider’s site, verify insurance or sliding-scale fees, and note whether they offer in-person or virtual care. Before the appointment, jot down goals and questions, then discuss a follow-up plan—often weekly at first—with times that fit your commute or routine. Set reminders, complete any intake forms, and, if needed, join a waitlist while scheduling a backup option so you can begin and maintain steady progress.
New Orleans offers community-based support for people navigating sex addiction, from peer-led groups to hospital-based programs, all complementing MiResource’s therapist directory with entry points close to home in the French Quarter, Uptown, Mid‑City, and beyond:
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) — New Orleans meetings and sponsors (citywide, commonly in the French Quarter, Uptown, and Mid‑City);
- Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) — local meetings and fellowship (citywide, including Uptown and the CBD);
- University Medical Center New Orleans Behavioral Health — assessment and referrals to specialized care (Mid‑City, near Canal Street and the BioDistrict);
- Ochsner Psychiatry & Counseling — outpatient therapy and group referrals across the metro (Uptown near Ochsner Baptist and in the CBD);
- NAMI New Orleans Helpline & Support Groups — education, referrals, and family support (citywide with an Uptown office).
If you’re struggling with compulsive sexual behavior and need immediate support in New Orleans, help is available right now. You can talk to a trained counselor 24/7, get a local crisis team dispatched, or go to an emergency room for safety and stabilization. You’re not alone, and reaching out now can help you stay safe and get connected to the right care.
- If you’re in immediate danger or can’t stay safe, call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer.
- For confidential support anytime, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline); they can help de-escalate and guide your next steps.
- Contact the Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) 24/7 Crisis Line at 504-826-2675 to access New Orleans’ mobile crisis response and local resources.
- If you prefer in-person help, go to the nearest ER: University Medical Center New Orleans, Touro Infirmary, New Orleans East Hospital, or Ochsner Baptist (or your closest emergency department).
Spending time in nature can offer calm, structure, and healthier routines that support recovery from sex addiction by lowering stress, easing rumination, and creating space for mindful breathing and reflection. Green spaces also provide a judgment-free setting to practice grounding skills and build consistency—whether through short walks, gentle exercise, or quiet time by the water. Even brief outdoor moments can interrupt urges, boost mood, and make it easier to choose supportive behaviors. Start small, go at your own pace, and return to the spots that make you feel steady.
- Take a 20–30 minute walk beneath the oaks at Audubon Park, then unwind by the river at The Fly (Audubon Riverview).
- Explore shaded trails in City Park—Couturie Forest and Scout Island are great for quiet, mindful strolls.
- Bike or walk the Lafitte Greenway for an easy, well-lit route that connects neighborhoods and adds routine.
- Breathe by the water at Crescent Park in the Bywater or along Woldenberg Riverfront Park by the French Quarter.
1. How do I know if I need professional help for Sex Addiction?
If sexual thoughts or behaviors feel out of control, cause distress, or you’ve tried to cut back without success, it may be time to seek help. Signs include difficulty focusing at work or school, pulling away from friends or partners, persistent worry or guilt, or changes in sleep and appetite. You might also notice secrecy, risky situations, or spending more time and money than you intend. Reaching out to a therapist or a specialized program can provide tools, support, and a plan—you don’t have to figure this out alone.
2. What’s the first session of Sex Addiction therapy like?
Your first session is a comfortable introduction where you and the therapist get to know each other and talk about what brings you in. You’ll share relevant personal history and current concerns, including specific sexual behaviors, urges, or patterns that feel out of control or interfere with daily life, relationships, work, or self-esteem. The therapist may review symptoms, triggers, and coping habits to understand how the cycle develops and what has already helped. Together, you’ll set clear, realistic goals for treatment and discuss a plan so you know what to expect moving forward.
3. Are there lifestyle changes that can help with Sex Addiction?
Yes—many people find lifestyle tweaks make recovery feel more manageable. Regular exercise can lower stress, boost mood, and reduce urges by giving your brain healthy dopamine hits and a routine. Good sleep and balanced nutrition stabilize energy, focus, and impulse control, making it easier to follow boundaries and therapy goals. Mindfulness practices (like breathing, meditation, or grounding) help you notice urges early, ride them out, and choose coping tools—working hand in hand with professional treatment.
4. Can Sex Addiction affect physical health too?
Yes—compulsive sexual behaviors can impact the body as well as the mind. People may notice sleep problems, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or heightened risk of STIs and injuries, often fueled by chronic stress and shame. The mind-body connection means emotional distress can show up as real physical symptoms and worsen existing health concerns. Addressing sex addiction in therapy can reduce stress, improve habits and boundaries, and often leads to better sleep, energy, and overall physical well-being.
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.
