Joanna Benfield
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
As a leading expert on sex and porn addiction, I work with individuals struggling with compulsive sexual behaviours, as well as with partners and couples. Based in Harley Street, London prior to the pandemic, I now offer online treatment programmes and therapy to clients worldwide.
Sex is a natural, normal and enjoyable part of our lives, but sometimes it can become something that feels out of control, damaging and destructive. Sometimes people find themselves addicted to porn, watching it for hours every day, and as a result their work and their relationships suffer. Others become addicted to having sex with strangers or with escorts. They find themselves spending huge amounts of money, putting themselves and their partners at risk of sexually transmitted diseases and damaging their relationships. When sex feels like it has become out of control, then it is time to seek help.
I provide an innovative treatment programme for sex addicts, based upon a range of therapeutic approaches which have been proven to work. Sex addiction is usually a maladjusted way of managing difficult emotions, and I help clients to understand why they are using sex in a compulsive manner, so that they can get to the bottom of their addiction. I work with them on a programme designed to reduce and ultimately stop harmful sexual behaviour and to redevelop a healthy relationship with sex.
As an experienced psychosexual and relationship therapist, I have worked with hundreds of clients struggling with sexual addiction and sexual dysfunction. My training includes an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy. I am a BACP Registered member. I am also a supervisor.
Please note that, at present, I am seeing all clients online and by telephone.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (with distinction), a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Counselling (with distinction), as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Coaching. I am also trained in person-centred counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and brief solution-focused therapy. I also have a Diploma in Supervision.
As a prominent expert in my field, I am often approached by the media for advice on sex and relationship issues. I have been featured in Marie Claire, Men's Health, Women's Health, Top Sante, Glamour, Look and Woman magazines, as well as BBC Radio Five Live's 'Men's Hour'. My first book, 'Three in a Bed: Conversations with a Sex Therapist', was published by Harper Collins in January 2016. In 2017, I co-edited the 'Routledge International Handbook of Sexual Addiction' and I have written a number of published academic papers on the treatment of sex addiction. Currently, I am in the process of writing a self-help book on sex addiction, which can be used alongside therapy.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£150.00 per session
Additional information
I charge £150 per 50 minute session. Payments can be made by PayPal or by bank transfer in advance. Please note that the full session fee applies for sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice.
When I work
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Online sessions:
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 2pm-6pm
Saturdays: 10am-4pm
