Q: WHAT IS OUT OF CONTROL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR (OCSB)?
A: Out of control sexual behavior (OCSB) is a non-diagnostic term used to describe men and women who experience significant difficulties regulating their sexual thoughts, behavior, or urges.
Diagnostic labels include compulsive sexual behavior, sex addiction and hypersexual behavior. Currently, scientific consensus has not formed around one diagnosis or etiological understanding of this problem. Rather, research suggests a variety of interrelated factors that contribute to sexual behavior dysregulation. The term "out of control sexual behavior" is used to avoid diagnostic-sounding labels that assume an etiology or a psychiatric disorder that is not established or officially recognized.
Through extensive study and treatment experience, Mr. Vigorito co-developed an assessment and treatment protocol in collaboration with Doug Braun-Harvey at The Harvey Institute. OCSB is defined as a sexual health problem in which an individual's consensual sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors feel out of control.
Q: WHO DOES MR. VIGORITO TREAT FOR OCSB?
A: Heterosexual, gay and bisexual men in the DC Metro Area.
Q: DOES MR. VIGORITO ONLY TREAT CLIENTS WITH SEXUAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
A: No. Mr. Vigorito provides individual and couple counseling for people concerned with a variety of issues that interfere with one's overall health and wellness. Mr. Vigorito has assisted clients concerned about depression, anxiety and mood disorders, chemical dependency, relationship problems, coming out issues, grief and loss, and sexual dissatisfaction.
Q: HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS OUT OF CONTROL?
A: One basic measure is to ask yourself if you have had limited success stopping the specific sexual behavior that concerns you. Often times, "out of control" describes the feeling people experience when there is something about their sexual urges, thoughts and behaviors they dislike or wish were different. If this describes you, you might benefit from discussing your concerns with a sexual health professional.
Q: ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES I SHOULD LOOK FOR?
A: For many men, their sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors are in direct conflict with their sexual health, their sexual values, or generates problems in various life areas. Consequences may include:
- Repeated, distressing and intrusive sexual thoughts, fantasies and urges
- Repetitive harmful, embarrassing or humiliating consequences from sexual behavior
- Harboring significant secrets or double life from spouse/partner, family or employer
- Preoccupied thoughts of sex or planning next sexual activity
- Continued sexual behavior despite recurrent negative consequences
- Sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies (or risk thereof)
- Negative consequences such as problems with relationships, occupation, finances, physical and mental health, and drug and alcohol recovery
Q: WHAT IF I THINK MY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS PROBLEMATIC OR OUT OF CONTROL?
A: For people concerned about their sexual health, Mr. Vigorito recommends scheduling a 50-minute consultation.
People rarely have opportunities to discuss sexual behavior concerns in a safe, respectful and informed environment. At the initial meeting, you have the opportunity to discuss your concerns in a relaxed, confidential setting and ask the questions you want to know to feel confident in your decision. There is no commitment to schedule additional appointments and there will be no charge if we decide to not work together.
Q: HOW DO MEN WITH PROBLEMATIC OR OUT OF CONTROL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR MAINTAIN THEIR SEXUAL HEALTH?
A: The first step is identifying what is motivating you to change your sexual behavior. Research suggests that change is most effective when it comes from you. Therefore, the consultation always includes questions about what distresses you about your sexual experiences (i.e. your motivation for change) and your vision of sexual health (i.e. your treatment goals)?
Mr. Vigorito clarifies your motivation and goals, evaluates the various factors that contribute to OCSB, and provides recommendations to address your sexual health obstacles. During the consultation, Mr. Vigorito reviews a set of screening criteria that are common sexual health disruptors. If any of those disruptors are present, improvements in those health domains will likely benefit your sexual health and help you regain sexual behavior control.
After the screening criteria are evaluated, a comprehensive sexual health assessment may be recommended. The assessment is designed to help you understand the individual factors leading to OCSB and to develop targeted treatment interventions to address those factors.
Treatment recommendations will address the contributing factors in any of these three areas:
- Strategies to improve your self control and ability to regulate emotional states (including sexual urges)
- Strategies to change relationship behavior patterns and improve empathy capacity
- Strategies to improve your erotic literacy and integrate your eroticism into your identity and relationships.
Recommendations vary depending on your unique clinical picture. Improvements in these areas can occur through individual and group psychotherapy as well as auxilary services.
At the conclusion of an OCSB assessment, you create a Sexual Health Plan (SHP). Much of therapy focuses on helping you maintain your SHP boundaries and deconstructing the events surrounding your boundary crossings.
Q: WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OCSB?
A: Your options could include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Treatment coordination with other treatment providers
- Couples consultation for treatment recommendations and summary
- Referrals to auxilary services include, but are not limited to couple therapy, psychiatric or medical consultations and mindfulness practices
Q: DOES MR. VIGORITO ALSO WORK WITH PEOPLE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR SEXUAL FUNCTIONING?
A: Yes, Mr. Vigorito also works with men dissatisfied with their sexual functioning, including dissatisfaction with sexual pleasure, achieving and sustaining erections and orgasm control. An assessment is recommended to help determine if the contributing factors of your sexual dissatisfaction are biologically or psychologically rooted. Referrals to a sexual medicine provider may be necessary to identify and treat biogenic sexual dysfunction.
Q: DOES MR. VIGORITO TAKE HEALTH INSURANCE?
A: Mr. Vigorito is not an in-network provider with any health insurance company. Mr. Vigorito will submit claims to your insurance electronically so you can receive reimbursement for services based on your out-of-network benefits.
Q: What are the cost for services (good faith estimate notice)
A:
50-minute session - individual: $225.00.
50-minute session - couple: $250.00.
90-minute group therapy session: $110 for Sexual Health in Meth Recovery; $105 for Sexual Health Group Therapy for Men
Good Faith Estimate Notice You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION NOT LISTED HERE OR WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
A: To schedule a consultation appointment for counseling or request a training, please call (619) 459-1688 or email Mr. Vigorito.