LifeSTAR Treatment Program

LifeSTAR is recommended for anyone who wants to stop any of the following behaviors:

• Viewing of pornography

• Excessive masturbation

• Infidelity (emotional and/or sexual)

• Inappropriate relationships (chatting, posting profiles, texting, etc)

• Any form of sexual acting out (strip clubs, prostitution, massage parlors, escorts, etc)

We encourage partners to attend the LifeSTAR program so they can receive education and support as they work to overcome the following stressors:

• Feeling powerless

• Isolation

• Anger and resentment

• Difficulty setting limits or boundaries

• Feelings of low self-worth

Addicts and their partners are welcomed into a safe and confidential environment, where they feel supported as they work to understand how the destructive behaviors have affected them individually and as a couple. Addicts and partners are given tools and resources to help them think clearly about their situation and feel empowered to make healthy decisions about the life.

Who attends and format:

Individuals and/or couples will meet with a therapist of their choosing (Brent Cichoski, LPC/CSAT or Jacci Jones, LMFT/LPC) for a series of one-on-one sessions to establish building a treatment plan and gain a better understanding about sexual compulsions and its underlying issues.  It is strongly recommended that married couples attend together, so they can begin the process of education in tandem. However, single adults and those partners/spouses who are not willing to attend are welcome. Sessions cost are $150.00 for the initial intake (75 minutes) and $135.00 for one on one session (55 minutes).  

What should be expected: 

Complete honesty and practicing vulnerability is a critical component in this phase.  Over time, shame and secrecy trap an individual who struggles with sexual compulsions to belief it is impossible to see long term change.  Betrayed partners and spouses can feel isolated and benefit from guidance and understanding the impact of betrayal trauma, so they can reclaim their lives.

This safe environment, working with a therapist, is vital to build hope and provide recovery tools.

What is covered:

Individual sessions are dedicated to educating and introduce task related material and topics that are customized for the individual, which include establishing boundaries, staying out of drama, discussing relapses, structuring a disclosure, relapse prevention, processing shame, the impact on the family of origin, mindfulness, and so on. Workbook material and other exercises covered will help structure a successful long-term recovery journey and prepare you for Phase II.

Phase II "Recovery Group" is a skill-based group with support and accountability to help clients develop solid sobriety and implement successful strategies that will help them live healthier, more productive lives. ALL participants agree to and sign confidentiality statements promising to safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of everyone attending.

Who Attends: - Men and women meet in separate weekly recovery groups.  All LifeSTAR groups are closed, meaning that new individuals are not added without the consent of the members. This ensures safety and predictability in the process.

Pre-requisites: Participants are required to attend and complete Phase I, “Getting Started” before participating in Phase II.

What is the duration: Men’s group meet via Zoom Meetings at 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm every Thursday for 75-minutes.

What is the format: 

Small, continuous groups with sizes of 6 to 8 members.  The men are combined in all men's groups and the women are combined into all women's groups. This phase of the program is self-paced, which means that participants remain within this phase until they have successfully completed the tasks. Most participants are typically in this phase anywhere between a minimum of 6 to 18 months, depending upon individual motivation and growth.

Spouses/Partners Virtual Group Meets: Thursdays, 7:00 pm pm at the Beaverton location.

Cost: $250/month per person for a 4 week month and $312.50 per person for a 5-week month.

What should be expected: 

Continued active participation in the group process is crucial. Deeper and more personal work is done in this phase for both the men and women. The men get to the root of their addiction, become accountable for their actions and sobriety, and form a close-knit support group with the other men in their group. The women focus on deep recovery work from the relational trauma they have experienced. This safe environment and group support is vital as they support one another through recovery. Expect to work hard, present and share what you have learned, and expand beyond your comfort zone. This is where the real recovery work is done!

What is covered: 

This is a "working recovery" approach. Participants will complete and share assignments, holding one another accountable on a weekly basis. These tools and principles lay the groundwork required for lasting recovery. The workbooks and tasks in Phase 2 focus on providing a deeper look at denial, the addiction cycle, fantasies and objectification, relapse prevention, and healthy living. Participants should stay in Phase 2 until they have established a solid sobriety, are implementing an effective treatment plan - including a network of support - and have a detailed understanding of their addictive system. Women in Phase 2 take a deep look at the impact of relational trauma on their emotions, thoughts, and relationships. The primary focus is to help them open themselves back up to life and relationships, so they don't organize their life around the fear of the addiction or being hurt again. The women work to heal the deep pain of betrayal and work to build a life of strength and connection.

Movement into the final phase of the program is discussed with the therapist as the participant completes the tasks. We are less concerned about how long a participant stays in phase two and more concerned about how proficient they become at utilizing tools, maintaining sobriety, and understanding their problem. Growth is the main objective.  Each participant receives a "task" list to complete before moving into the final phase.

The Phase III "Recovery Maintenance Group" involves a commitment to group therapy and is geared toward helping participants maintain their newfound healthy lifestyles.

Who Attends: Men in monthly recovery groups.

Pre-requisites: Participants are required to attend and complete Phase II, before participating in Phase III.

What is the duration: Groups meet via Zoom Meetings at 5:15 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month for 1 hour.

What is the format: Small group therapy and educational environment with group sizes of 10 to 12 members.  The men are combined in all men's groups and the women are combined into all women's groups. Most participants are in this phase for life long growth and self-insight.

Cost: $480 for a four-month block session.  

What is covered: This phase addresses the issues that underscored the addiction in the first place, such as faulty core beliefs, trauma and abuse. Once the compulsive sexual behavior has been stopped and the underlying issues have been addressed, healthy lifestyle changes are reinforced in order to keep the addiction from reappearing. For couples in the program, this is the time to practice their new lifestyle and new way of relating to one another.  In the Maintenance Group, they put into practice all the identity and boundary training they have received in the first two phases.