Research in Progress

   

Intimacy-Focused Therapy for Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviour

 

23rd March 2011

Ethics Approval Number: CEN/11/09/050

 

My name is Karen Faisandier and I am a Massey University student in the School of Psychology (Manawatu campus) conducting this study as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The academic supervisors for this project are Dr Joanne Taylor from the Psychology Department of Massey University, and Dr Shane Harvey from the Massey Psychology Clinic. This project is in collaboration with the nationally available service Sex Therapy New Zealand Ltd (STNZ), which is co-directed by the study’s clinical supervisor Robyn Salisbury (clinical psychologist and sex therapist). 

What is this research about?

This research follows on from my 2010 study which investigated differences in relationship styles amongst New Zealanders with different levels of Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviour (OCSB-commonly referred to as sexual “addiction”). This study found that those reporting higher OCSB also often reported higher anxiety towards or avoidance of closeness and intimacy. Based on this, my current research aims to test a therapy approach for people with OCSB. This will be done by providing up to 12 appointments at the cost of $185 per appointment for 12 men with OCSB. The treatment will involve individual appointments with a clinical psychologist who will work on reducing OCSB symptoms and the underlying causes. Those who participate in the study will complete a 45 minute questionnaire before and after the 12 sessions of therapy; and at one, three, and six months after therapy has finished. OCSB will be measured each week to track the success of therapy. The responses to these questionnaires and the rates of OCSB as therapy progresses will demonstrate whether the therapy approach has been successful in helping reduce OCSB. It is expected that these research findings will help others with OCSB in the future.

What is OCSB?

OCSB can include a wide range of sexual thoughts/feelings/behaviours but usually involves at least one of the following three things:

1) Your sexual behaviour is causing distress to you or your partner.

2) You have tried to stop or cut back on certain types of sex but have been unable to.

3) Your sexual behaviour is negatively impacting on your life

(i.e., social/work/relationships/finances).

 

Who can participate?

If you are a man aged 18 or older, you think you have OCSB, you live in the Auckland or Palmerston North region, and between February and November 2012 you can attend twelve hour-long appointments at the fee of $185 per session (total cost $2220), and are available for follow up contact at 1, 3, and 6 months post therapy, then you are eligible to apply. However, if you have current alcohol or other substance dependence, severe mental health problems including feeling suicidal, or your OCSB involves acts with children then you will not be eligible for this type of therapy, and should instead contact Lifeline on 0800 543 354 if you wish to seek help.

Confidentiality:

You may confidentially contact the researcher at OCSB@live.com to ask questions about the content of the questionnaire and therapy before participating. Any information you provide if you contact the researcher will be securely stored and only accessed by the researcher, the research supervisors, and the treatment provider if you agree to go on and participate. Full informed consent will be sought from all participants of the study, meaning that you will sign a form to show you understand the study and agree to participate. All participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, without having to provide a reason for doing so. Any data collected up until the time of withdrawing may be included in the study. Continued therapy with the psychologist will be available to you at the fee of $185 per session once the 12 appointments are finished.

All participant data will be securely stored in a locked filing cabinet at Massey University for ten years and then destroyed. Data will be presented as part of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology thesis but personal details will be altered to ensure anonymity. The study’s findings will be provided to all participants on completion of the researcher’s doctoral degree in 2013.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Information Sheet and find out more about the study. If you have additional questions about participation please contact the researcher confidentially at OCSB@live.com or contact the supervisors Dr Joanne Taylor on J.E.Taylor@massey.ac.nz, Dr Shane Harvey on S.T.Harvey@massey.ac.nz, or Robyn Salisbury on Robyn.Salisbury@xtra.co.nz

Thank you from the research and supervision team,

Karen Faisandier, Joanne Taylor, Shane Harvey, and Robyn Salisbury

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee, Central Region: 11/09/050. If you have any concerns about the conduct of this research, please email the central_ethicscommittee@moh.govt.nz