Nunnelly, TN (PRWEB) October 17, 2011 – Contrary to popular media portrayals and gender stereotypes, men are not the only ones suffering from sex and love addiction. An estimated 8 to 12 percent of those seeking relationship and sex addiction treatment are women, though many more are likely suffering in silence. As awareness of these problems grows, women are increasingly reaching out for help. Responding to that need is The Center for Relationship and Sexual Recovery (CRSR) at The Ranch, a residential rehabilitation center in Nunnelly, Tennessee, which recently launched the nation’s first structured and manualized all-female residential sex and love addiction treatment program. The CRSR treats women struggling with the full spectrum of relationship and intimacy issues, including those who use sex to gain power over others, are endlessly pursuing “the one,” have anonymous or unsafe sex, get lost in online relationships and porn, have multiple affairs, and engage in other acting out behaviors. In addition to addressing sex, relationship and intimacy issues, CRSR offers comprehensive treatment for common co-occurring disorders, including eating disorders, substance abuse and trauma. “Although women’s sex and relationship problems can assume different forms than that of male sex addicts, the negative consequences of their acting out are just as destructive to their physical and emotional health, families, and careers,” said Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, the internationally known author, addiction specialist and educator who developed both the men’s and women’s relationship and sex addiction programs at The Ranch. Sex and love addiction treatment at The Ranch is highly structured and individualized based on each client’s needs. Following a thorough assessment, an experienced female therapist designs a personalized treatment plan that typically includes daily group therapy, individual therapy, 12-Step meetings and a family program, among other interventions. “The Ranch offers cutting-edge treatment for sex and relationship issues, but it does much more,” said Karen Brownd, the director of the CRSR. “Treatment is a journey of empowerment that allows women to find their own voice – beyond seduction and romance – leading them toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.” Therapy for sex and love addiction addresses acting out behaviors as well as underlying issues that support unhealthy patterns in intimate relationships. Each week, clients have an opportunity to participate in equine, art and other experiential therapies. Because many women sex and love addicts have experienced trauma, often in the form of abuse, neglect or betrayal, CRSR provides gender-specific, trauma-focused therapy with a trauma specialist. Trauma specialists at The Ranch utilize treatment methods that include EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, mindfulness techniques and others. Female clients at the Center for Relationship and Sexual Recovery live in a gender-separate living, eating, recreational and treatment environment with other women who are experiencing similar struggles. In a safe, supportive environment women learn to establish healthy boundaries, build genuine self-esteem and improve their relationships. “What women find at The Ranch is peace,” said Brownd. “The serene atmosphere on the ranch affords women time to look at themselves and the opportunity to do the deep emotional work they need to do to heal from sex and love addiction.”