DSTT Informational Justice Clarification Statement, Dr. Omar Minwalla, 2023
This clarification is to help people better understand how Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) is not the same as current treatments for infidelity, compulsive sexual behavior, or sex
addiction. DSTT subsumes traditional treatment approaches and expands the field by illuminating
blind spots, clinical errors, missing pieces, and ethical deficits in these current psychological treatments.
Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) is:
- Not a co-responsibility for infidelity model of treatment.
- Not a single diagnosis of compulsive sexual behavior disorder.
- Not the sex addiction model (i.e., it is not a single-diagnosis addiction concept only).
- Not a betrayal trauma treatment, betrayal recovery, or a partners of sex addicts trauma model. Deceptive sexuality trauma (DST) is different and distinct from betrayal trauma.
- Not a model that endorses, but refutes the concepts of co-sex addiction, prodependence/ prodependency, and/or codependency to treat survivors of psychological abuse or the abusive-injured relationship.
- Not a model that endorses, but refutes the concepts and the proposed treatments for sexual anorexia and/or intimacy anorexia.
- Not a model that endorses, but refutes the application of the Karpman drama triangle to victims of psychological abuse or to abusive-injured relationship(s).
- Not a problem sexuality diagnosis, and refutes attempts to modify human sexual arousal or to medicalize faith-based ideologies or misinformed moral judgment.
- Not a model that endorses, but refutes attachment-based treatments for intimate partner abuse, and instead utilizes a restorative justice model to treat abusive-injured relationship(s).
- Not a model that avoids the treatment of abuse, victimization, or trauma according to psychological practice guidelines and ethical responsibilities articulated clearly by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Dr. Minwalla’s voice, teachings, grounded theory, and Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT), are explicitly not the same as any of the above. Instead, DSTT may subsume, or encompass as a subordinate some parts of these models, as is relevant for advancing the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of infidelity, compulsive sexual behavior disorder, and sex addiction.
Important Note: Dr. Minwalla and DSTT support the health-promoting functions and conditions found by many men, and any person, in twelve-step programs, including important human vulnerability, voices, and fellowship. While DSTT does not rely or depend on recovery-based spiritual programming, DSTT does not oppose, but honors patient self-determination.
The Gigantic Elephant in the Room
Naming, or not naming, chronic patterns of abuse, violation and harm in intimate relationships due to deceptive sexuality.
Published on: February 10, 2020
Shedding Light on Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD)
Compulsive sexual behavior and sex addiction is not just a sexual problem but an Intimate partner and domestic abuse problem.
Published on: February 14, 2020
The Secret Sexual Basement
An educational metaphor to facilitate a foundational understanding of deceptive sexuality and the clinical term, deceptive, compartmentalized sexual-relational reality (DCSR).
Published on: March 23, 2020
What Up Dude?
Is it sex addiction or actually unhealthy masculinity and sexual entitlement? Gender pathology as a significant missing piece in understanding compulsive sexual behavior and sex addiction disorders.
Published on: April 28, 2020
Cheating is Domestic Abuse?
How we have all been indoctrinated into the normalization of integrity abuse disorders in intimate relationships and family systems.
Published on: March 26, 2015
Integrity-Abuse causes Psychological Harm
In this recent conversation with Anne Blythe of Betrayal Trauma Recovery, Dr. Minwalla discusses complex trauma shaping and damage to the second brain which can occur during the covert phase of a Secret Sexual Basement.
Published on: December 7, 2021
Entitlement, Integrity, and Personality Templates:
Fundamental Concepts from The Secret Sexual Basement white paper.
Published on: November 30, 2021
A Call to Action: Co-Sex Addict or Abuse and Trauma Survivor?
Time for professionals to recognize their diagnostic mislabeling of the intimate partner or spouse.
Published on: March 25, 2015
An Interview with Dr. Omar Minwalla: 'The Secret Sexual Basement'
Cheating, infidelity, and compulsive sexual behaviors are often a deceptive sexuality problem. In his exclusive interview on Tell Me How You’re Mighty: Real Talk About Cheating – Podcast with hosts Tracy Schorn and Sarah Gorrell, Dr. Minwalla talks about trauma and the conventional victim-blaming discourse around infidelity, as well as the role of sexual entitlement, and treatment.
Published on: October 17, 2023
Trying to Turn the Titanic Around: “Get on the Bus, or Get off the Bus”
The professional evolution from the co-sex addiction model towards a betrayal trauma model among sex addiction professionals: Interview with Dr. Stephanie Carnes.
Published on: October 25, 2019
Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST): A Clinical Model
Published on: May 3, 2022
White Paper: Ten Steps to Building a Secret Sexual Basement
New White Paper 2025 by Dr. Minwalla! The Blueprint for Deceptive Sexuality: Ten Steps to Building a Secret Sexual Basement A Guide (for Men) to Understanding Infidelity as Abuse.
Published on: November 03, 2024
Gaslighting and Deceptive Sexuality
This article delves into the concept of gaslighting as a form of psychological abuse, specifically focusing on its application to deceptive sexuality, which includes infidelity, sex addiction, and compulsive sexual behavior. It explores deceptive compartmentalized sexual or relational realities (DCSR) as a form of covert psychological operations that manipulate reality.
Published on: June 29, 2024
Male Socialization as a System of Psychological Violence
This article explores the concept of complex trauma shaping, drawing from Judith Herman’s foundational work on complex trauma, and presents educational metaphors that illuminate this process.
Published on: May 31, 2024
Dishonesty is Abuse?
This article introduces, defines, and provides a description of the proposed clinical term, integrity-abuse disorder (IAD), a specified type of psychological abuse disorder related to agendas of dishonesty, deliberate deception, and the intentional psychological manipulation of victim reality.
Published on: April 30, 2024
Cheating is a Dishonesty Problem, Not Just a Sex Problem
This article begins by examining the prevailing views on infidelity and compulsive sexual behavior, which predominantly center on sexual and relational acts or behavior. It then shifts focus to the concept of deceptive compartmentalization and its significant impact on both infidelity and compulsive sexual behavior or sex addiction, defining it as a form of psychological abuse that is frequently underrecognized or downplayed, yet highly comorbid with both infidelity and sexual compulsivity.
Published on: March 30, 2024
Sexual Compulsivity or Sexual Entitlement?
Sexual compulsivity is “a lack of control” problem, and sexual entitlement is an “I don’t want to control” problem. One is an impulse control issue, and the other represents an unhealthy psychology and belief system.
Published on: February 16, 2024
The Secret Sexual Basement:
The Traumatic Impacts of Deceptive Sexuality on the Intimate Partner and Relationship
Dr. Minwalla articulates the traumatic impacts of deceptive sexuality on the intimate partner and the abusive-injured relationship. This reviews specific injuries and trauma symptoms in three phases of abuse and trauma. This paper is a deep-dive into better understanding the experiences of victims of deceptive sexuality, based on 20 years of listening to human voices and stories in clinical practice.
Published on: November 29, 2021
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Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma: A Clinical Model
This is a clinical description of the Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Model, and provides education on the foundational parts, which are Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES), Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD), and the traumatic impacts (DST).
Published on: January 3, 2022
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DSTT Clarification Statement
This paper is important informational justice, meaning that it helps everyone be more clear about this model and how it is unique and different from other treatments, in order to help people better understand as they seek resources. DSTT is not the sex addiction model and is not a betrayal trauma model for deceptive partner abuse and trauma.
Published on: August 26, 2022
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‘Sexual Sobriety’ Leaves Victims Untreated
The focus of traditional sex addiction-compulsivity treatment models tends to be on diagnosing and stopping specific sexual behaviors, termed “sexual sobriety.” This is the original article that was published in 2015 the national Psychologist and is no longer in print. It was one of the original pairs that challenges the field.
Published on: March 31, 2015
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Partners of Sex Addicts Need Treatment for Trauma
The focus of traditional sex addiction-compulsivity treatment models tends to be on diagnosing and stopping specific sexual behaviors, termed “sexual sobriety.” This is the original article that was published in 2012 in the National Psychologist and is no longer in print. It was one of the original pairs that challenges the field.
Published on: July 30, 2012
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What is Deceptive Sexuality?
Deceptive sexuality involves someone having a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual- relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship(s) or family system. Think of it as something like a Secret Sexual Basement – a place that houses a person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/ or emotional intimacy with others that …
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Deceptive sexuality involves someone having a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual- relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship(s) or family system. Think of it as something like a Secret Sexual Basement – a place that houses a person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/ or emotional intimacy with others that is not shared with the primary intimate partner. A place that is characterized by an ongoing system of psychological and relational control, domination, violation, and harm.
The majority of people who struggle with repetitive and problematic sexual behaviors and seek clinical intervention are in relationships (often intimate partnerships or marriages), have families, and may be parents as well. In fact, most clinicians working with these individuals indicate that one of the primary motivators for treatment is the impact on the partnership, the marriage, and/or the family.
What has not been part of the focus in any of the dominant diagnostic and treatment models is that patterns of repetitive and problematic sexual behaviors are often part of a deceptive, compartmentalized sexual or relational reality (DCSR) within the context of intimate relationship(s). DCSRs are intentionally hidden and separated from the rest of the person’s life and reality, which has a huge, negative impact on the person’s partner and family.
The educational metaphor of, “the secret sexual basement”, is synonymous with the clinical term, DCSR, which is a sexual or reality that is being covertly managed through a strategic psychological operation of intentionally manipulated reality (IMR) used by the abuser to keep two realties separate in attempt to prevent the people upstairs from knowing the truth of their realities. In fact, deceptive sexuality trauma (DST), can be described as the traumatic injuries and symptoms that occur from being subjected to a DCSR, deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual-relational reality.
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What is Deceptive Sexuality?
Couples and individuals dealing with problematic sexual behaviors might typically hear the terms compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sexual addiction, infidelity used to describe their experiences. But these words don’t fully capture the holistic nature of what actually goes on in these situations. An exclusive focus on sexual behaviors …
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Couples and individuals dealing with problematic sexual behaviors might typically hear the terms compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sexual addiction, infidelity used to describe their experiences. But these words don’t fully capture the holistic nature of what actually goes on in these situations. An exclusive focus on sexual behaviors is incomplete, as problematic sexual behaviors are often accompanied by a tragic pattern of abuse and injury that deeply impacts partners and family members for years to come.
Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST) presents a more complete picture of the presence and impact of sexual acting-out behaviors. Deceptive sexuality refers to problematic sexual behaviors in combination with associated patterns of domestic and intimate partner abuse that frequently leads to devastating traumatic injuries. In other words, deceptive sexuality is a clinical syndrome that involves two pathological systems: one that relates to the inability to control sexual urges or behaviors and/or sexual entitlement (which we call Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality, or CES), and another that includes integrity violations and abusive actions (Integrity-Abuse Disorder, or IAD).
Many people suffer from deceptive sexuality and experience significant psychological, social, and life consequences as a result. These individuals, along with their partners and family members, often seek professional treatment and need clinical support. Unfortunately, we lack a formal, professional consensus on how to best to diagnose and treat this issue.
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What is a Deceptive, Compartmentalized, Sexual-Relational Reality, DCSR?
Deceptive sexuality involves someone having a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual- relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship(s) or family system. Think of it as something like a Secret Sexual Basement – a place that houses a person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/ or emotional intimacy with others that …
Read more
Deceptive sexuality involves someone having a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual- relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship(s) or family system. Think of it as something like a Secret Sexual Basement – a place that houses a person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/ or emotional intimacy with others that is not shared with the primary intimate partner. A place that is characterized by an ongoing system of psychological and relational control, domination, violation, and harm.
The majority of people who struggle with repetitive and problematic sexual behaviors and seek clinical intervention are in relationships (often intimate partnerships or marriages), have families, and may be parents as well. In fact, most clinicians working with these individuals indicate that one of the primary motivators for treatment is the impact on the partnership, the marriage, and/or the family.
What has not been part of the focus in any of the dominant diagnostic and treatment models is that patterns of repetitive and problematic sexual behaviors are often part of a deceptive, compartmentalized sexual or relational reality (DCSR) within the context of intimate relationship(s). DCSRs are intentionally hidden and separated from the rest of the person’s life and reality, which has a huge, negative impact on the person’s partner and family.
The educational metaphor of, “the secret sexual basement”, is synonymous with the clinical term, DCSR, which is a sexual or reality that is being covertly managed through a strategic psychological operation of intentionally manipulated reality (IMR) used by the abuser to keep two realties separate in attempt to prevent the people upstairs from knowing the truth of their realities. In fact, deceptive sexuality trauma (DST), can be described as the traumatic injuries and symptoms that occur from being subjected to a DCSR, deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual-relational reality.
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What is the Educational Metaphor: The Secret Sexual Basement?
According to the DST Model, deceptive sexuality includes behaviors aimed at creating and maintaining a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual reality (DCSR). The technical term DCSR is understood metaphorically through the concept of a secret sexual basement. The metaphor of a secret sexual basement helps us better identify …
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According to the DST Model, deceptive sexuality includes behaviors aimed at creating and maintaining a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual reality (DCSR). The technical term DCSR is understood metaphorically through the concept of a secret sexual basement. The metaphor of a secret sexual basement helps us better identify and understand the integrity abuse. Through metaphor, we recognize that in addition to the sexual, relational behaviors occurring in the basement, there is also the process of creating the basement as well as the psychology and behavioral tactics that keep the basement in place. An ongoing, covert deceptive system takes places that manipulates reality and relational dynamics in an effort to sustain the basement, effectively harming and traumatizing everyone in the house.
Professionals who work with individuals impacted by deceptive sexuality must be aware of the multi- faceted factors involved in creating and maintaining secret sexual basements. Truly understanding this complicated system and addressing the integrity abuse involves treating more than just the behaviors in the basement. It also requires focus on the psychology and behaviors involved in the creation and maintenance of the DCSR.
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What is Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES)?
Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) refers to an inability or an unwillingness to control sexual urges or behaviors, even when they cause significant negative consequences. People may experience CES because of a compulsive-addiction disorder and/or a pathological level of perceived sexual entitlement. Indeed, many patients …
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Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) refers to an inability or an unwillingness to control sexual urges or behaviors, even when they cause significant negative consequences. People may experience CES because of a compulsive-addiction disorder and/or a pathological level of perceived sexual entitlement. Indeed, many patients present with at least some behavioral control problems and sexual entitlement.
Examples of CES include a lack of ability to control impulses or a perceived sense of entitlement as well as engaging in problematic patterns of pornography use, infidelity, prostitution, cybersex, flirting. Sometimes CES can extend into clinical concerns such as sexual offending, abuse of power in the workplace, etc.
The Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Model proposes that CES is one of the primary symptoms of the deceptive sexuality diagnosis. In addition to being a main driver of problematic sexual behavior patterns, CES also plays a big role in associated abusive behaviors such as lying, deception, and psychological manipulation.
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What is Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD)?
The other primary criteria of the deceptive sexuality diagnosis is Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD), which is a type of conduct disorder that is defined by a significant lack of integrity and a covert relational abuse system. IAD is characterized by sociopathic patterns of behavior, antisocial behaviors that are characterized by long-term patterns …
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The other primary criteria of the deceptive sexuality diagnosis is Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD), which is a type of conduct disorder that is defined by a significant lack of integrity and a covert relational abuse system. IAD is characterized by sociopathic patterns of behavior, antisocial behaviors that are characterized by long-term patterns of disregard for, or violation of, the rights of others, deception and manipulation, impulsivity and recklessness, a lack of empathy toward others or remorse, coupled with a disregard for social norms or moral conduct. These types of behavior patterns can lead to repeated harm and abuse within relationships, particularly with intimate partners and family systems.
The creation and maintenance of a deceptive, compartmentalized sexual or relational reality (DCSR) in the context of an intimate relationship is a form of intimate partner abuse (or domestic harm when there is a family system), often including patterns of lying, psychological manipulation of others’ realities (gaslighting), violation of sexual and emotional fidelity, covert deceptive tactics, blaming the victim and the relationship, and defensive lack of responsibility. Deceptive sexuality (having a DCSR) is also inherently a form of abuse in that it relies on dominance and control by intentionally preventing others from knowing the truth. It prohibits partners from being able to respond in healthy ways based on being informed about their reality. Further, DCSRs are fundamentally dehumanizing, treating others as objects to be used and exploited for purposes that serve the abuser.
The Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Model proposes that these abusive, deceptive, and manipulative behaviors, which happen within an intimate relationship and in combination with sexual acting-out problems, meet criteria for a type of conduct disorder/sociopathic pattern known as IAD. IAD, along with CES, is a primary criteria and symptom of the deceptive sexuality diagnosis, a specified partner or spouse abuse disorder, psychological.
IAD characteristics and behaviors may include:
- a long-term pattern of disregard for, or violation of, the rights of others
- a demonstrated lack of empathy toward others
- deception and manipulation of the truth
- psychological manipulation of others’ realities (gaslighting)
- exploiting others for personal gain or pleasure through
- superficial charm, seduction, or intimidation
- deficits in integrity, and/or morality
- impulsivity and reckless behaviors
- partner, relationship, child, and/or family risk-taking and endangerment
- a lack of remorse; callous attitude toward those people harmed
- intentional withholding of life-altering survival-based information
- externalizing of responsibility
- defensive tactics that violate integrity
- victim-blaming or relationship-blaming
- an ongoing system of covert domination/control and coercive control
These types of behavior patterns, referred to as Integrity Abuse (IA), can lead to repeated harm and abuse within relationships, particularly with intimate partners and family systems.
Harm from integrity abuse typically results in psychological, emotional, and/or relational harm (as opposed to physical abuse). However, nonphysical abuse can be just as, if not more, devastating than physical violence for its victims (Candela, 2016).
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How is a Secret Sexual Life a System of Covert Dominance and Control?
During the covert phase, abusers tend to have a significant amount of covert power and control over their partners, including coercive control (a catch-all term that emphasizes the core of most domestic abuse, which is the need for power and control over another person and incorporates numerous types of nonphysical domestic abuse patterns …
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During the covert phase, abusers tend to have a significant amount of covert power and control over their partners, including coercive control (a catch-all term that emphasizes the core of most domestic abuse, which is the need for power and control over another person and incorporates numerous types of nonphysical domestic abuse patterns; Candela, 2016). By withholding important information from their partners, they effectively strip away their partners’ ability to truly understand key aspects of their intimate relationships, along with the power to make healthy, self-protective decisions. Abusers who hold sexual secrets prevent their partners from taking action based on reality, and ultimately keep them paralyzed in a destructive pattern of uninformed immobility or chronic disempowerment and coercive control (Candela, 2016). There are some abusers who have convinced themselves that it is considerate and protective to intentionally keep their partners and family members unaware of the DCSR, as if it’s an act of chivalry. This belief reinforces a sense of power and dominance and assumes that the partner and family members are too weak to handle the DCSR, that they need protection from it, or that they are somehow not worthy of being able to determine their own destinies.
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Why the Term Deceptive Sexuality Trauma?
The specific term, deceptive sexuality trauma, refers specifically to the trauma that results from prolonged subjugation, over time, to the specific type of sexual-relational integrity-abuse and compulsive-entitled sexuality behaviors and patterns that are often experienced by victims of deceptive sexuality. This trauma often includes CTS that …
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The specific term, deceptive sexuality trauma, refers specifically to the trauma that results from prolonged subjugation, over time, to the specific type of sexual-relational integrity-abuse and compulsive-entitled sexuality behaviors and patterns that are often experienced by victims of deceptive sexuality. This trauma often includes CTS that results from integrity abuse in all three phases of the trauma: the covert, exposure, and symptom progression phases (essentially before, during, and after the discovery of the secret sexual basement). The CTS involves a slow and progressive shaping of the victim’s psychological systems over time: the self, relationship to the abuser, reality, the second brain system, relational integrity, and core functions related to identity (e.g., sexuality, gender, and body), attachment relationships, and systems of meaning.
DST is a term developed directly from victims of deceptive sexuality. It is highly specific and limited in scope compared to other types of traumas (which may be applied to many other injuries and contexts). For example, attachment injury or betrayal trauma may have nothing to do with deceptive sexuality at all. So, while deceptive sexuality includes many other traumas, it is distinct and is the trauma from DCSRs, different from betrayal trauma (Freyd, 2008) or attachment trauma science and theory (Johnson, S., 1996).
Deceptive sexuality trauma (DST) refers to both the traumatic injuries and the trauma symptoms experienced by intimate partner(s) and family members of people who engage in deceptive sexuality. Deceptive sexuality often involves the victimization of others through entitled sexuality and patterns of psychological, emotional, and relational abuse (or Integrity-Abuse-Disorder, IAD). Having been subjected to ongoing patterns of both Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) and Integrity Abuse (IA) over time, victims of deceptive sexuality often experience a specific type of trauma and stressor-related symptoms known as DST.
The Deceptive Sexuality Trauma (DST) Model proposes that CES and IAD cause individuals to behave in ways that are abusive, that prohibit partners from being able to respond in healthy ways based on being informed about their reality, and that lead to significant traumatic symptoms and injuries for partners and family members. According to this model, deceptive sexuality – and associated patterns of psychological deception and manipulation – represent a specific type of system of abuse that causes a specific type of trauma.
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What is the Difference Between Betrayal Trauma and Deceptive Sexuality Trauma?
Deceptive sexuality trauma, or DST, must not be mistaken or misunderstood as meaning the same as the more general term, betrayal trauma. The science behind the term, betrayal trauma (Gómez, J. M. & Freyd, J. J., 2019), is distinct and different from the science of deceptive sexuality trauma (Minwalla, 2019), and hence is important that people know the …
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Deceptive sexuality trauma, or DST, must not be mistaken or misunderstood as meaning the same as the more general term, betrayal trauma. The science behind the term, betrayal trauma (Gómez, J. M. & Freyd, J. J., 2019), is distinct and different from the science of deceptive sexuality trauma (Minwalla, 2019), and hence is important that people know the differences so that they can be informed as they seek help and treatment.
Betrayal Trauma: Betrayal trauma (Gómez, J. M. & Freyd, J. J., 2019, Freyd, J. J. & Birrell, P. J., 2013, Freyd, J. J., 2008, Freyd, J. J., 1997, Freyd, J. J., 1996) occurs when the people or institutions on which a person depends for survival significantly violate that person’ s trust or well-being. Betrayal trauma can apply to many situations and types of harm and injury, and the academic science and literature on betrayal trauma includes focus on childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse perpetrated by a caregiver and institutional betrayal, as examples.
References:
Gómez, J. M. & Freyd, J. J. (2019). Betrayal trauma. In J. J. Ponzetti (ed.), Macmillan Encyclopedia of Intimate and Family Relationships: An Interdisciplinary Approach (pp. 79-82). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning Inc. https://dynamic.uoregon.edu/jjf/articles/gf2019.pdf
Freyd, J. J. & Birrell, P. J. (2013). Blind to Betrayal. John Wiley & Sons. https://sites.google.com/site/betrayalbook/
Goldsmith, R. E., Freyd, J. J., & DePrince, A. P. (2012). Betrayal trauma: Associations with psychological and physical symptoms in young adults. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(3), 547–567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260511421672
Freyd, J. J. (2008) Betrayal trauma. In G. Reyes, J.D. Elhai, & J.D. Ford (eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychological Trauma. New York: John Wiley & Sons. https://dynamic.uoregon.edu/jjf/articles/freyd2008bt.pdf
Freyd, J. J. (1997). Violations of power, adaptive blindness and betrayal trauma theory. Feminism & Psychology, 7(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353597071004
Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.1998.10403432
Deceptive Sexuality Trauma (DST): Deceptive sexuality trauma (Minwalla, 2019, Minwalla, 2012) is a diagnostic term for a specified trauma-and stressor related disorder, which occurs when people are subjected to and victimized by ongoing patterns of Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) and Integrity-Abuse (IA) in the context of being in an intimate partnership or family system, which is diagnosed as a specified partner or spouse psychological abuse disorder, called deceptive sexuality (Minwalla, 2019).
- Deceptive sexuality trauma includes betrayal trauma but is not the same. Deceptive sexuality trauma describes the trauma that occurs from Deceptive, Compartmentalized, Sexual and/or Relational Realities (DCSR), basically the trauma from infidelity and having a secret sexual life, recognizing the psychological operation of Intentionally Manipulated Reality (IMR) and describing those traumatic injuries and symptoms that occur from that specific Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD).
- Betrayal trauma is a more general term that may include childhood sexual abuse or institutional betrayal.
- Betrayal trauma theory (Freyd, J. J., 1997) does not describe the 22 traumatic injuries and symptoms based on deceptive sexuality and trauma grounded theory, which articulates the impact of deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual and relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship or family system, referred to as DST-22.
- Betrayal trauma theory (Freyd, J. J., 1997) does not name Compulsive-Entitled-Sexuality (CES), or Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD), a specified psychological abuse disorder and form of intimate partner abuse and relationship maltreatment.
- Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST) is a specified type of trauma that includes the impacts of compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sexual addiction, sexual and emotional infidelity, post-infidelity trauma, attachment trauma, psychological intimate partner and relationship abuse and trauma, attachment injury and trauma, betrayal trauma, institutional betrayal trauma, psychological abuse disorder, acute stress and post-traumatic stress, and complex trauma, and hence should not be reduced simply to “betrayal trauma”.
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What is the Problem with Traditional Treatments for Infidelity and Sex Addiction?
Traditional clinical models for understanding sexual acting out problems have focused solely on the repeating sexual behaviors, while often ignoring the chronic sociopathic and abusive behavioral patterns, the psychological abuse disorder, and a specified intimate partner abuse. Essentially, these models have focused on only one part of …
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Traditional clinical models for understanding sexual acting out problems have focused solely on the repeating sexual behaviors, while often ignoring the chronic sociopathic and abusive behavioral patterns, the psychological abuse disorder, and a specified intimate partner abuse. Essentially, these models have focused on only one part of a two-part problem. In doing so, they have neglected and omitted other significant problematic behaviors from clinical recognition and treatment.
Further, these models and practitioners do not view those who create and maintain Deceptive, Compartmentalized Sexual or Relational Realities (DCSRs) as experiencing a form of mental disorder or abuse problem. Instead, the focus of traditional approaches is on the diagnosis of the sexual behaviors (compulsive or addictive), the lack of sexual control, the cause of the sexual behavior patterns, and the negative consequences experienced by the person who is sexually acting out. The primary problems with these models include:
- Failure to recognize the abuse. The first problem with traditional clinical models is that they don’t acknowledge the patterns of emotional, psychological, and relational abuse perpetrated on intimate partners and families of those with deceptive sexuality. Deceptive sexuality is indeed a particularly destructive form of intimate partner abuse and domestic abuse. Often, there are ongoing patterns of abuse that victims experience for years, and the consequences are significant. This type of abuse is psychological in nature, not physical. It is the covert psychological operation required to keep two realities separate, the upstairs of the metaphorical house, and the secret sexual basement downstairs, being kept separate through intentionally manipulating the reality (IMR) of the people upstairs. It is a psychological operation, that just like similar military operations, are designed to weaken and gain power over people, and hence a form of covert domination and control.
- Failure to recognize the trauma. Traditional clinical models do not recognize or understand the trauma symptoms experienced by these partners and family members. Sadly, however, this type of trauma is pervasive, intensely distressing, and in need of timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Traditional models have ignored these trauma-related symptoms, and few practitioners in the psychological field as a whole have a solid conceptualization of this type of trauma. Deceptive sexuality trauma, or DST, is a specified trauma-and stressor related disorder, which occurs when victims are subjected to ongoing patterns of Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) and Integrity-Abuse (IA) in the context of an intimate partnership or family system, which is diagnosed as a specified partner or spouse psychological abuse disorder, called deceptive sexuality. DSTT has identified and describes 22 traumatic injuries and symptoms based on grounded theory referred to as the DST-22, which informs clinical assessment, stabilization, and treatment for survivors.
- Failure to recognize and support the victims. In addition to not recognizing the trauma, many clinical models lack consciousness about the victims of deceptive sexuality. There has been a profound neglect of the partners and families who are exposed to, and impacted by, these problems. Traditional treatment models have either excluded partners and family members from clinical consideration or, even more damaging, have tended to misdiagnose them. Some models rely on general couples or sex therapy approaches, while others still use victim-blaming interventions based on the traditional concepts of co-sex addiction and codependency. Partners are often “educated” that their responses and reactions are actually part of the relationship problem or are symptoms of a co-addiction that require treatment and management. Unfortunately, none of these approaches appropriately recognize, diagnose, or attempt to treat the abuse, victimization, and specified trauma-related symptoms.
- Failure to identify a disorder. The field frequently uses terms such as sex addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, out of control sexual behavior, and impulse control problem, or infidelity. But these terms do not attempt to describe any type of abuse problem, sociopathic behavior patterns, or conduct disorder. The field has clearly failed to recognize the presence and impact of deceptive sexuality as a type of disorder. There is no established awareness of an integrity-abuse disorder as the cause of the abuse/trauma. And there are no notable efforts put towards recognizing the role of a systemic abuse problem in causing significant trauma-related symptoms.
Unfortunately, abuse and trauma caused by deceptive sexuality are buried in the shadows of normalization, denial, and our collective lack of insight.
This needs to change.
Abuse and trauma caused by deceptive sexuality must be researched and more deeply understood by psychological practitioners and clinical researchers. We must better understand so that we can develop effective diagnostic and treatment approaches that address both sexual behaviors and abuse patterns that result in experiences of short- and long-term trauma.
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What is the Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST) Model?
The Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST) Model expands the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual acting out disorders. It identifies deceptive sexuality as a form of domestic abuse. It represents a clinical step forward in the field and a significant advancement in the treatment of sexual acting out. This model confronts the …
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The Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (DST) Model expands the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual acting out disorders. It identifies deceptive sexuality as a form of domestic abuse. It represents a clinical step forward in the field and a significant advancement in the treatment of sexual acting out. This model confronts the traditional and current models of treatment and brings a critical set of new arguments to the ongoing debate related to sex addiction, compulsive sexual behaviors, and infidelity. This new clinical paradigm is organized around three foundational clinical concepts: Compulsive-Entitled-Sexuality (CES); Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD), and a resulting specified type of trauma among victims (Deceptive Sexuality Trauma).
The DST Model revises the clinical paradigm of sexual acting-out behaviors in at least three important ways:
- The DST Model expands the traditional, single-concept diagnosis of either sex addiction or compulsive sexual behavior to include Compulsive-Entitled- Sexuality (CES), recognizing the role of sexual entitlement as a major factor that contributes to problematic sexual behavior patterns.
- The DST Model gives attention to the roles that conduct disorder and covert psychological and relational abuse behaviors play in sexual acting-out behaviors and considers these pathological patterns to be a type of Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD).
- The DST Model identifies partners and family members of people with Deceptive Sexuality as victims of abuse who often experience devastating trauma symptoms. As such, this model shines a light on the abuse-victim dynamic that so frequently occurs in these situations and challenges the codependency view that has often been associated with the single-concept diagnosis of co-sex addiction.
The DST Model proposes that Compulsive-Entitled-Sexuality (CES) and Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD) cause individuals to sexually act out in ways that lead to significant traumatic injuries for their victims. Importantly, the model recognizes that in such situations, abuse problems exist in addition to sexuality issues. Further, this model replaces existing victim-blaming models with abuse-trauma awareness and treatment approaches.
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Why Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment?
DSTT addresses the psychological abuse called integrity abuse, which is a psychological operation of Intentionally Manipulated Reality (IMR). DSTT addresses this missing piece. DSTT subsumes traditional models for infidelity, sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior disorder, in that it:
- Remedies the victim-blaming and …
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DSTT addresses the psychological abuse called integrity abuse, which is a psychological operation of Intentionally Manipulated Reality (IMR). DSTT addresses this missing piece. DSTT subsumes traditional models for infidelity, sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior disorder, in that it:
- Remedies the victim-blaming and diagnostic mislabeling of deceptive sexuality victims
- Designates a name for the abuse disorder associated with deceptive sexuality
- Provides effective treatments for abusers, victims, and the relationships injured by deceptive sexuality
- Helps mental health professionals recognize and treat the abusive impacts of deceptive sexuality from an abuse-victim-trauma consciousness
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Abuse-Victim-Trauma (AVT) Consciousness?
DSTT applies an abuse-victim-trauma consciousness to the diagnosis and clinical treatment and management of compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sex addiction, and infidelities. The model focuses on the process of perceiving, identifying, recognizing, naming, changing, and evolving our understanding of abuse, the victimization of human …
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DSTT applies an abuse-victim-trauma consciousness to the diagnosis and clinical treatment and management of compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sex addiction, and infidelities. The model focuses on the process of perceiving, identifying, recognizing, naming, changing, and evolving our understanding of abuse, the victimization of human beings, and the resulting traumatic impacts. Abuse-victim-trauma consciousness is essential for understanding deceptive sexuality and is the primary contribution of the DSTT clinical model. Treatment for deceptive sexuality should be informed by a consciousness of an abuse dynamic; an abuser, victim(s), and abusive-injured relationship(s). Treatment should not be solely focused on a sexuality problem or a moral problem.
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What is the Minwalla Model?
The Minwalla Model refers to Dr. Minwalla’s emerging consciousness; his set of teachings, evolving concepts, and voice, intended to illuminate abuse-victim-trauma-existing realities, human sexuality, gender, masculinity, and human rights in order to move humanity towards justice. This includes the articulation of a conscious technology …
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The Minwalla Model refers to Dr. Minwalla’s emerging consciousness; his set of teachings, evolving concepts, and voice, intended to illuminate abuse-victim-trauma-existing realities, human sexuality, gender, masculinity, and human rights in order to move humanity towards justice. This includes the articulation of a conscious technology and practice of creating extraordinary space for the purposes of learning and healing- a modality based on Intentional Vibe Theory (IVT). DSTT is simply Dr. Minwalla’s current focal point of illumination, the vanishing point of infidelity and sex addiction treatment, a derivative of the broader Minwalla Model, which exists as an expansive dimensional plane of perspective and consciousness.
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What is Intentional Vibe Theory (IVT)?
Intentional Vibe Theory (IVT) postulates that Intentionally Manipulated Reality (IMR) promotes disease and that Intentionally Accurate-Authentic Reality (IAR) promotes health and informs Intentional Vibe Theory Treatment (IVTT), a psychological healing model, method and vibrational science that defines a unique treatment for trauma, particularly …
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Intentional Vibe Theory (IVT) postulates that Intentionally Manipulated Reality (IMR) promotes disease and that Intentionally Accurate-Authentic Reality (IAR) promotes health and informs Intentional Vibe Theory Treatment (IVTT), a psychological healing model, method and vibrational science that defines a unique treatment for trauma, particularly systemic abuse and injustice, and the complex trauma sequences that result to not only individuals but groups of peoples and communities. IVTT based approaches usher in a unique method and way of treating systemic abuse and complex trauma disorders, intended to help humanity move towards justice and psychological health.
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Deceptive Sexuality (DS):
Deceptive Sexuality (DS) involves someone having a deceptive, compartmentalized, sexual- relational reality in the context of an intimate relationship(s) or family system, and is diagnosed by two interrelated psychological disorders, Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) and Integrity-Abuse-Disorder (IAD), a specified psychological abuse disorder and form of intimate partner abuse and relationship maltreatment. Deceptive Sexuality (DS) is a clinical syndrome that involves two pathological systems: one that relates to the inability to control sexual urges or behaviors and/or sexual entitlement (which we call Compulsive-Entitled-Sexuality, or CES), and another that includes integrity violations and abusive actions (Integrity-Abuse-Disorder, or IAD). (Minwalla, 2018)
Deceptive Sexuality Trauma (DST):
Deceptive Sexuality Trauma is the clinical diagnostic term for the specified trauma-and stressor related disorder, which occurs when people are subjected to, and victimized by, ongoing patterns of Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES) and integrity-abuse while in the context of an intimate partnership and/or family system. DST the specified trauma caused by deceptive sexuality, which is a specified psychological abuse disorder.
Compulsive Sexuality (CS):
Sexual behavior where the person lacks control or is not able to stop or resist engaging despite negative consequences signifying a potential impulse control or addiction-based problem.
Sexual Entitlement (SE):
An unhealthy psychology of the prioritization of personal sexual experience and gratification over the human rights of, and harmful impacts on others.
Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality (CES):
Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality is the inability to control sexual behaviors in combination with a psychology of sexual entitlement, and specifically refers to an inability and/or an unwillingness to control sexual urges or behaviors, even when they cause significant negative consequences. (Minwalla, 2018)
Integrity Disorder:
An endogenous problem characterized by deficits in integrity and the inability to be honest or truthful. (Minwalla, 2018)
Integrity Abuse (IA):
Integrity violations and intentionally manipulative abusive actions and patterns that cause harm or injury to other people and relationships and result from a lack of integrity. (Minwalla, 2018)
Integrity-Abuse Disorder (IAD):
A type of conduct disorder, a specified psychological abuse disorder, defined by a significant lack of integrity and a (covert) relational abuse system of domination and control. Integrity violations and abusive actions that result from deficits in integrity cause harm or injury to other people and relationships and cause significant impairment to important areas of life functioning. (Minwalla, 2018)
Deceptive, Compartmentalized, Sexual- Relational Reality (DCSR):
A person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/or emotional intimacy with others that is not shared with the primary intimate partner. DCSRs are intentionally hidden and separated from the rest of the person’s life and reality, relying on the psychological operation of intentionally manipulated reality (IMR). (Minwalla, 2018)
Deceptive:
Tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid; perceptually misleading.
Compartmentalization:
A defense mechanism in which people mentally separate conflicting thoughts, emotions, or experiences to avoid the discomfort of contradiction; can also be a neutral term to simply refer to separating from the whole, to make a separate compartment.
Deceptive Compartmentalization (DC):
A type of integrity problem that involves separating something from the whole, deceptively, which by definition lacks integrity and is dishonest.
Sexual-Relational:
Refers to what is being deceptively compartmentalized, which is a reality consisting specifically of sexuality, emotional, romantic, and/or relational infidelity. The S and the R in the DCSR acronym refers to sexual-relational; the secret basement is specifically sexual-relational in nature.
Reality:
The world or the state of things as they exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them, and the R in DCSR also refers to the word, Reality.
Secret Sexual Basement:
A metaphor for a DCSR; the terms can be used interchangeably with the educational metaphor, the Secret Sexual Basement refers to a secret sexual or relational life, represented by the metaphor of a basement secretly built by a family member or one partner. It represents a person’s deceptively hidden sexual, romantic, and/or emotional intimacy with others that is not shared with the primary intimate partner, like having a secret sexual-relational basement that the person built underneath the relationship or family home. (Minwalla, 2021)
Pre-Existing Reality-Ego (PRE):
Everything that the partners and family members thought was real about their lives prior to discovering or becoming aware of the DCSR’s existence.
Complex Trauma:
Complex trauma is defined as repeated patterns of harm, with a consistent theme, that occur over a prolonged period, in which the victim lacks a viable escape route or is disempowered. (Herman, 1997)
Complex Trauma Shaping (CTS):
Complex Trauma Shaping (CTS) involves patterns of harm that exist over a period of time and in the context of disempowerment or the lack of a viable escape route. These experiences shape a person’s psyche over time, like drops of water on a rock (Minwalla, 2015). CTS is a process that gradually develops in response to the long-term progressive patterns of psychological, emotional, and relational harm.
Betrayal Trauma:
Is any abuse or violation that occurs within a close relationship of trust, and refers to a social dimension of psychological trauma, independent of post-traumatic stress reactions (Freyd, J., 1996). Childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse perpetrated by a caregiver are examples of betrayal trauma (Freyd, J., 2008).
Post-Infidelity Trauma:
Post-Infidelity Trauma refers to stress reactions and trauma-related symptoms that result from discovering infidelity in an intimate relationship.
Post-Traumatic Stress:
Post-Traumatic Stress involves a single or distinct event or traumatic incident, which results in symptoms of intrusions, avoidance or constrictions, and hyperarousal. Many partners and family members of those who engage in deceptive sexuality develop symptoms that meet most of the criteria for post-traumatic ……
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Post-Traumatic Stress involves a single or distinct event or traumatic incident, which results in symptoms of intrusions, avoidance or constrictions, and hyperarousal. Many partners and family members of those who engage in deceptive sexuality develop symptoms that meet most of the criteria for post-traumatic stress-related symptoms, including:
- Exposure to extreme stress intrusive re-experiencing of integrity-abuse or traumatic incidents
- Frequent episodes of triggering and reactivity
- Hyperarousal and hypervigilance
- Persistent avoidance or numbing
- Negative alterations in both thoughts and mood
- Anxiety about potential disease and contamination
- Worries about child safety, family, social repercussions
- Social isolation
- Significant embarrassment and shame
- Intense relational rupture and attachment injuries
- Gender, sexuality, and body alterations
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Attachment Injury and Trauma:
An attachment injury is characterized by an abandonment or by a betrayal of trust during a critical moment of need (Johnson, S., 1996). Attachment injuries can act as traumatic events, which then cause post-traumatic stress symptoms and/or insecure attachments and relationship templates.
Intimate Partner Abuse and Trauma:
Intimate partner abuse and relationship violence, which includes psychological abuse, is known to cause fear and trauma, including post-traumatic stress and complex trauma. It also results in other negative mental health outcomes as well as impairment to life such physical health and economic functioning. (APA, 2013)
Coercive Control:
A catch-all term that emphasizes the core of most domestic abuse, which is the need for power and control over another person and incorporates numerous types of nonphysical domestic abuse patterns (Candela, 2016).
Psychological Abuse:
A form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another person to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress. It is often associated with situations of power imbalance in abusive relationships, where one person maintains control and power over the victim and engages in behaviors such as bullying, gaslighting, or child abuse.
Spouse or Partner Abuse, Psychological:
Is considered in the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) under other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. Code 995.82 (T74.31XD) is the designation for the abuser, and Code V61.1 (Z69.11) is the designation used for encounter for mental health services for victim of spouse or partner psychological abuse (APA, 2013, p.721).
Other-Specified Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorder:
Is considered in the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) as a diagnosis, under Trauma-and Stressor- Related Disorders. “This category applies to presentations in which symptoms characteristic of a trauma-and stressor-related disorder that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the full criteria for any of the disorders.” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 289). The American Psychiatric Association further notes that a specific reason (e.g., Deceptive Sexuality Trauma, or DST) should be noted after the diagnosis of other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV):
Refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is often rooted in gender inequality and the abuse of power and harmful norms. GBV is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health issue globally.
Acronyms
| FYI | For Your Information |
| ADT | Assess, Diagnose, Treatment Plan |
| ATC | Approach, Transition, Condition(s) |
| AVT | Abuse-Victim-Trauma |
| AVT-ER | Abuse-Victim-Trauma-Existing Reality(ies) |
| CES | Compulsive-Entitled Sexuality |
| CDC | Conscious Dignifying Circle/Clinic |
| C-PTSD | Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder |
| CSB | Compulsive Sexual Behavior |
| CTS | Complex Trauma Shaping |
| DCSR | Deceptive, Compartmentalized, Sexual-Relational Reality |
| DS | Deceptive Sexuality |
| DST | Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma (Model) |
| DST | Deceptive Sexuality Trauma (Symptoms) |
| DST-22 | The 22 Grounded Theory Traumatic Injuries and Symptoms of DST |
| GBT | Gender-based Trauma |
| GBV | Gender-based Violence |
| GP | Gender Pathology |
| IA | Integrity-Abuse |
| IAD | Integrity-Abuse Disorder |
| IAR | Intentionally Accurate-Authentic Reality |
| ICF | Intentional Clinical Frequency |
| IMR | Intentionally Manipulated Reality |
| ISH | Integrity, Safety, Humility |
| ISH | The Institute for Sexual Health, a Psychology Corporation, Inc. |
| IVT | Intentional Vibe Theory |
| IVTT | Intentional Vibe Trauma Treatment |
| PRE | Pre-Existing Reality-Ego |
| PTSD | Posttraumatic Stress Disorder |
| REF | Reality-Ego Fragmentation |
| RIT | Relational Integrity Theory |
