What is IITAP?
The International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals provides CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) training and certification. The Certified Sex Addiction Therapist program was founded and is run by Dr. Patrick Carnes. The International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals is an organization that was created to provide premier training, certification, and resources for sexual addiction practitioners. Through IITAP, those suffering from a sexual addiction or compulsive behavior have access to certified practitioners, resources, treatment options, and referrals. Stefanie Carnes, Ph.D., CSAT-S is the current President of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. Sex addiction, as defined by IITAP (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals), is any sexually-related compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one’s work environment. Like an alcoholic unable to stop drinking, sexual addicts are unable to stop their self-destructive sexual behavior.
Click HERE to go to the IITAP website
What is a (CSAT) Certified Sex Addiction Therapist?
A CSAT receives extensive training in the field of addiction therapy. A CSAT is a highly-trained trauma treatment therapist who helps their clients work through their underlying wounds, experiences, patterns, and trauma that contributed to the sexual addiction. A CSAT can assess the level and type of sexual dependence, sexual and trauma history, family dysfunction, and other addictions, along with addiction interactions that may be present. CSAT Training is based off of Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D.’s assessment tools and 30-task model treatment methodology.
Seeing a CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) is important in the context of porn or sex addiction for several key reasons:
1. Specialized Training
CSATs are therapists who have undergone rigorous, specialized training specifically in the assessment and treatment of sexual addiction (including compulsive pornography use). Unlike general therapists, they are trained to recognize the unique dynamics, trauma, and neurological patterns involved in these behaviors.
2. Accurate Assessment
Many people struggle to determine whether their behavior constitutes an addiction or something else (e.g., high libido, moral conflict, trauma response). CSATs use validated tools like the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) and other assessments to provide clarity and a path forward.
3. Trauma-Informed Approach
Sex and porn addiction are often rooted in early trauma, attachment wounds, or emotional dysregulation. CSATs are trained to address these underlying issues, not just surface behaviors. This leads to deeper healing rather than short-term behavior modification.
4. Structured Recovery Process
CSATs use the Patrick Carnes model, which includes:
- 30-task model for recovery
- Partner-sensitive treatment
- Relapse prevention
- Support group integration (like SAA, SA, or 12-step alternatives)
This structured approach has been shown to improve outcomes in long-term recovery.
5. Partner-Sensitive Treatment
Many partners of sex/porn addicts experience betrayal trauma, and CSATs are trained to support both the addict and the partner, individually and together. This is crucial for relationship healing, which is often neglected in generic therapy.
6. Accountability and Boundaries
CSATs help clients build healthy sexual boundaries, develop accountability systems (often with sponsors or groups), and break cycles of secrecy and shame, which are central to addiction maintenance.
7. Integration with Support Groups
They often help clients connect with group support, such as:
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
- Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)
- SMART Recovery
- 12-step or non-12-step alternatives
Therapy alone often isn’t enough for long-term sobriety from compulsive sexual behavior—group support and community are vital.
In Summary:
A CSAT brings the expertise, tools, and empathy necessary to help someone not just stop compulsive behavior, but also heal emotionally, rebuild relationships, and understand the root causes of their addiction. Seeing a CSAT can be a game-changer compared to working with a general therapist or trying to quit alone.
List Of Tests That May Be Assigned On Iitap’s Recovery Zone
1. SDI – V4 (Sexual Dependency Inventory V4)
2. IPAST Revised V2 (Inventory for Partner Attachment, Stress & Trauma (Revised V2))
3. MAWASI-R (Money and Work Adaptive Styles Index – Revised)
4. PTSI-R (Post-Traumatic Stress Index- Revised)
5. ECR-R (Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised)
6. SDMI (Sexual Digital Media Inventory)
7. PSS (Partner Sexuality Survey)
RECOVERY ZONE – CLIENT LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS
1. Click here to go to the client login page.
2. Input Therapist/Practice Name – “Susan Zola”
3. Input your Assigned Identifier which I will provide to you.
4. Click login.
5. If you have a test to complete, it will appear under the assigned test section. You can click “Start Assessment” to start taking the test.
