Tom Olsen Therapy

LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST (#136823) 650-200-3791

Group Intensive

Facing the Shadow Group Intensive Facing the Shadow Intensive is designed to get to a freedom plan in weeks rather than months. The intensive is the equivalent of 3 months of traditional therapy but done...

Resources

Emotional or Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Trauma Abuse Spiritual Abuse Adult Children of Alcoholics Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous Food Addicts Anonymous Attention Defiict Disorder vs. Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Anxiety Disorder Mood Disorders Co-Dependents...

About Me

Group Intensive

Facing the Shadow Group Intensive

Facing the Shadow Intensive is designed to get to a freedom plan in weeks rather than months. The intensive is the equivalent of 3 months of traditional therapy but done in 4-6 weeks. The 7 Tasks of Recovery frames the six 1.5-hour sessions (or 9 1hr sessions) so that you can find freedom and integrity without delay.

What we’ll Cover:

Tools to Stop

You will gain tools that can stop unwanted compulsive behaviors, reclaim your life, and win back the trust of loved ones. Through the intensive, you will learn to dismantle your addiction one piece at a time. Stopping sexual compulsivity is the first step to healing how the brain has been impaired by pornography and sexual acting out.

A Plan to Replace

Many people think their lives will automatically change if they only stop compulsive behavior. That is partially true. The key to long-lasting recovery and freedom is to be as thoughtful about how you will replace your destructive behaviors as stopping them.

Set a Solid Foundation for Core Change

Often it is broken thinking that perpetuates the destructive cycles. Broken thinking can even sabotage the recovery process itself. Therefore, it is critical to identify and get in front of any self-sabotage. In the Facing the Shadow Intensive, you will identify broken thinking patterns and replace them with life-producing thinking. We will also identify any wounds from the past or other experiences that may need to be resolved for profound change.

The 7 Tasks:

Breakthrough denial
Understand the nature of the addictive illness.
Surrender to the process.
Limit damage from behavior
Establish sobriety.
Ensure physical integrity.
Participate in a culture of support.

Resources

Emotional or Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Trauma Abuse

Spiritual Abuse

Adult Children of Alcoholics

Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous

Marijuana Anonymous

Food Addicts
Anonymous

Attention Defiict Disorder vs. Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Anxiety Disorder

Mood Disorders

Co-Dependents Anonymous

Sexaholics Anonymous

Sex Addicts Anonymous

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

S-Anon

The Meadows

Co-Dependents of Sex Addicts (COSA)

Al-Anon

Trusted Professionals:

Invia A. Betjoseph, Psy.D, LMFT, CSAT (408) 920-1730
Muna Haddad Farhat, MA, LMFT (408) 508-6248
Jerry Fihn, MA, LMFT, CSAT (408) 566-3683
Ed Gresick, LMFT, ICADC II, CSAT (408) 494-9991
Christine Lee, MA, LMFT (408) 535-0162
A lex Lerza, LMFT, CSAT (650) 263-4248
Marry Anne Fifield, DMFT, CSAT, CAS (408) 486-0110

About Me

I have more than a decade of experience in psychotherapy, and I genuinely understand the challenges that many face when dealing with sexual addiction and relationship issues, especially those that stem from abuse, trauma, abandonment, and neglect. I’m dedicated to supporting men, women, teenagers, and couples as they navigate and resolve their conflicts through compassionate therapeutic counseling.

It’s essential to recognize that while meaningful progress can be made in our sessions together, the real impact of our work relies on how you integrate the skills and insights we discuss into your daily life. True and lasting change happens outside the therapy room, and I’m here to help you apply what you’ve learned in real-world situations. Together, we can work towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND TRAINING:

~ Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)

~ Drug and Alcohol Addiction Studies Certification

~ Couples Counseling – Prepare / Enrich Certification

~ M.A. Marital & Family Therapy at Western Seminary San Jose

~ BS Psychology & Counseling William Jessup University San Jose

CREDENTIALS, MEMBERSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS:

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #136823

International Institute of Addiction and Trauma Professionals ~ Certified Sex Addiction Therapist

Member – California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Therapies

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a collaborative process between a therapist and a person in therapy. Common goals can be to inspire change or improve quality of life. In addition, people may seek therapy for help with issues that are hard to face alone. Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counseling.

Therapy can help people overcome obstacles to their well-being. It can increase positive feelings, such as compassion and self-esteem. People in treatment can learn skills for handling difficult situations, making healthy decisions, and reaching goals. Many find they enjoy the therapeutic journey of becoming more self-aware.

Premarital Therapy

Premarital therapy is key to establishing a healthy baseline when forming a family. I embrace the Prepare/Enrich method, which is the global standard. The prepare/enrich assessment helps couples better understand their relationship dynamics and personalities while understanding how building a life together will impact their relationship.

Group Therapy for Men’s Issues

Group therapy encourages individuals to establish relationships with other members, creating long-term friendships and improved self-awareness. This group of imperfect people can mimic the family of origin issues, allowing these issues to surface and be processed. The group members are reminded they are not alone as they work together to find freedom from addiction, trauma, and other mental health issues using the Facing the Shadow Workbook.

Sex is part of everyday, healthy life, but when sexual activities or thoughts become consuming or habit-forming, it crosses the line into addiction. Sex addicts will continue to engage in sexual behavior despite financial problems, potential arrests, health risks, or broken relationships. Sexual addicts experience tremendous guilt and shame over their behavior because they feel they are not in control and constantly fear being discovered. This complex disorder requires specially trained clinicians to understand these individuals’ unique needs and challenges.

How can someone know if their behavior has moved from a healthy enjoyment of sex to a disorder that needs professional assistance? Indications of problematic sexual behavior include Loss of control of behaviors, Preoccupation with sexual acting-out (hypersexuality), Continuation despite consequences, and significant adverse consequences.

12-Step Recovery Approach

The 12 steps promote self-ownership and responsibility, which is critical to personal development, and they also provide instruction for how to interact with others in a humble, healthy way. Research has proven that connecting with others significantly affects a person’s ability to recover from substance abuse. Both treatment professionals and those in recovery can attest to the power of community in helping individuals maintain sobriety, recover from relapse, and reach their goals.