In his book "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality," author Peter Scazzero delves into the intriguing concept of using God as a means to escape from God. This paradoxical behavior reflects a common tendency among individuals who seek to avoid facing their true selves and the deeper truths of their spiritual journey.

Scazzero highlights how some people may engage in religious practices, attend church services, and participate in spiritual activities as a way to distract themselves from confronting their inner struggles and unresolved issues. Instead of using their faith to draw closer to God and experience genuine transformation, they use it as a façade to mask their inner turmoil and avoid dealing with their personal growth.

An example that illustrates this concept is the story of Sarah, a devoted churchgoer who actively serves in various ministries within her community. On the surface, Sarah appears to have a strong relationship with God and a deep commitment to her faith. However, beneath the surface, Sarah struggles with feelings of unworthiness and unresolved past traumas that she has been avoiding for years.

Sarah's busy schedule of church activities and religious commitments serves as a distraction from addressing her inner pain and seeking healing and wholeness in God. Instead of allowing her faith to guide her towards self-awareness and emotional health, Sarah uses her religious practices as a shield to run away from her inner struggles.

Peter Scazzero's insights shed light on the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in one's spiritual journey. It is essential to approach our relationship with God with honesty and openness, allowing ourselves to confront our fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities. Only by embracing our true selves and engaging in a genuine dialogue with God can we experience true spiritual growth and transformation.

The concept of using God to run from God serves as a powerful reminder to examine our motives and intentions in our spiritual practices and disciplines. Let us strive to cultivate a deep and authentic relationship with God, allowing His love and grace to penetrate our hearts and transform us from within.

How many times have you experienced the same pattern over and over again? Promised yourself and God that it's the last time only to find yourself back in the same place.  Do you wish it would just stop?
You Can Break Free.

Jaeger Counseling specializes in pornography and sexual addiction counseling. A Sexual addiction often has roots in childhood. Studies have shown that about 80% suffered from some kind of sexual abuse or emotional trauma in their past. It may also stem from early exposure to sex related experiences and or exposure to sexually explicit material.
(The average age a child is exposed to porn on the internet is 8 years old.)These wounds are not always easily seen or known by the person struggling with a sexual addiction. Sexual addiction starts the same way any other addiction does – it serves as an escape mechanism that feels good, and feeds on underlying issues of the addict.
Sexual and porn addictive behaviors can be different for each person that struggles with this. The behaviors for many may not progress beyond compulsive masturbation and habitual use of pornography. For other men and women, a lack of control over such strong urges can lead to dangerous, relationship destruction and reckless behavior, as it would for one who is addicted to anything. 

Men are not the only ones struggling with pornography, sexual addictions and masturbation Why I'm Sharing My Story by Kimberly Johnson

• Behaviors May Include One or More of the Following:
  • Viewing Pornography
  • Compulsive Masturbation 
  • Pornography coupled with Masturbation
  • Hiding porn use or sexual behaviors
  • Several failed attempts to decrease, control or stop sexual behaviors
  • Continuation of sexual behaviors despite negative consequences in marriage, career, personal relationships and finances.
  • ​Sexting
  • Affairs
  • Depression and/or anxiety 
  • Feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment ​
  • Being preoccupied with or persistently craving sex
  • Infidelity
  • Feeling irritable or angry when unable to engage in the desired behavior
  • Visiting strip clubs or adult stores
  • Watching others in a sexual way (voyeurism)
  • Exhibitionism 
  • Phone, text or chatroom sex
  • Sex with anonymous partners​
  • Paying for Sex (prostitutes, massage, escorts)​

Jaeger Counseling believes that the real problem with sexual addiction isn't simply out of control sexual behaviors, it involves underlying "wounds" or traumas that the individual is numbing, medicating or covering up with the sexual addictive behaviors.  The sexual behaviors become a coping mechanism to deal with internal pain, fear of being hurt, fear of being abandoned or shame.
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I have great compassion and understanding for those struggling. I am committed to providing a therapeutic environment that is never shaming, fully accepting and safe for recovery and healing.
​If you are not sure if you have a problem take this free self test.

Pornography and Sexual Addiction Counseling 

In the first counseling session we will begin to gather information about your sexual behaviors, provide information on tools for getting free from those behaviors, begin identifying underlying issues of the addiction and give direction on beginning your journey of healing and freedom from these behaviors.  

If you are struggling with addictive behaviors and have come to a place of wanting to finally get free, don't hesitate!

Call​ me today or schedule online Here to break free. 
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Free Resource: How to Quit Porn, 6 Essential Steps

​If married or in a close relationship, nearly all spouses of those struggling with pornography and sexual addiction behaviors are traumatized by the lies, deception and betrayal.  As a result they are in need of their own support and they need treatment too. Most often, you will both be connected with a counselor to help explore her healing journey.  At the appropriate time, marriage counseling will be a vital part of the healing process. 
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Click here to view information for the spouse or significant other.
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​Did you just find out your loved one has been viewing pornograpy and you are devastated? You want to understand but you are angry? Hurt? Have they been unfaithful?  Or, maybe you knew something about it, but found out it is worse then you thought. If you know someone who needs help overcoming their sexual addiction, you are not alone. There is hope!

You have taken the first steps by recognizing the addiction and choosing to learn more about it. Can there be healing? Can you keep the marriage together? Absolutely. Is there a lot of work to be done? Absolutely.

​First, make a commitment to seek help and support. Decide where you will get that help and support. It is important for spouses of pornography/sex addicts to get counseling. It provides a safe place to share your pain, shock, and grief over the discovery that your spouse has betrayed you. They can teach you to set boundaries in your relationship if your partner is struggling with porn or other related sex addictions.
Addicts often believe that it is something “that everyone does” they do not realize the trail of devastation that is left behind.

​Whether they get help or not, you need to know:

• You did nothing to cause him/her to act out sexually. They are fully responsible for their own decesions and his actions.
• You will feel worse before you begin to feel better. You will go through cycles of hating him and loving him. Know that this is perfectly normal reaction to discovering his sex addiction problem.
• Both of you need to heal. Although it is tempting to focus all attention on getting them help to stop their sex addiction behaviors, do what you can each day to get yourself on a healing path as well.
• Respect their need for privacy as well as yours. There is a great deal of shame and secrecy with a sexual addiction. Family members and close friends may not be your best advocates.
• Only through calm, open, and honest discussion will there be an opportunity to rebuild trust. Let them know how their addiction has affected you.
• That you will need support from those who have been where you are, who fully understand your shock, anger, pain, and sadness. It is beneficial to find support a group, that will provide a safe place for you to share what you are feeling.

You may be feeling guilt, shame, frustration, anger, and deep sorrow. You do not have to face this alone.

I encourage you to seek therapy whether or not they are ready to start recovery. It is important for you to get support for yourself. You can learn about sexual addiction, how it effects you and your family, you can decrease the isolation you feel and learn that you do not have to be ashamed.