Support Group for Christians Struggling With Sex or Pornography Addiction

1.  Living In Freedom Everyday (LIFE): Here is information for an ongoing meeting which is in the southwest suburbs of Chicago:

Pathway Christian Church,  19554 NW Frontage Road, Shorewood, Illinois 60404

Saturday Mornings 7:00am - 8:30am upstairs

Contact: David at davidjm114@gmail.com

2.  Celebrate Recovery:  Celebrate Recovery is a Biblically based approach to recovery for people who are hurting. Celebrate Recovery offers recovery healing for a variety of life's trials, not only sex addiction.  However, Celebrate Recovery does have program materials for people suffering from all different types of addiction issues.  It focuses on bringing healing to the negative ways you may view yourself, God and others.  It promotes healthy habits that can assist you on your recovery journey.  Here is a link to learn more about Celebrate Recovery.

Support Groups for Christians Suffering From Depression or Anxiety

1. GriefShare - GriefShare is a nationally based organization that runs support groups often in church facilities.  However, you do not need to belong to the church in order to attend.  Please note that for individuals who do not ascribe to either Protestant Christian or Catholic beliefs, this group would not be appropriate for you since the material presented is faith based.  However, GriefShare support groups are welcoming places where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability and gain solid support each step of the way.  GriefShare does not take the place of individual counseling for people suffering from severe depression.  However, it can be useful addition to one's healing journey to help support an individual through each week since counseling services, unless a person is in a state of crisis, most typically occur once weekly.  Here is a link to find a GriefShare group in your area.

2. DivorceCare - DivorceCare is a nationally based organization that runs support groups often in church facilities.  However, you do not need to belong to the church in order to attend.  Please note that for individuals who do not ascribe to either Protestant Christian or Catholic beliefs, this group would not be appropriate for you since the material presented is faith based.  However, DivorceCare’s support groups welcome people and guide them on the path of recovery after separation or divorce.  Over 1 million people have found comfort and hope through this 13-week, video-based series.  In addition to the video series, each week people attend to share the emotional pain they are experiencing with other individuals who are also attending and understand much of what they are experiencing because they are also going through a divorce.   Individual members typically share information about resources such as local attorneys who they have found to be helpful, resources for obtaining financial support through this difficult time, as well as information about child care options.  Please realize that DivorceCare will not take the place of individual counseling for people suffering from severe depression as a result of issues in their marriage.  However, it can be useful addition to one's healing journey to help support an individual through each week since counseling services, unless a person is in a state of crisis, most typically occur once weekly.  Here is a link to find a DivorceCare group near you.

3. If you are a Protestant Christian or Catholic, many churches offer Bible study groups or other group meetings that study different topics such as how to overcome anxiety, depression, life stress, or improve your marriage.  You can ask your current church leaders if these types of groups are being offered and join one of these groups.  If your current church does not offer these types of groups, by simply going through the local phone book for your community or searching online for area churches and calling them, you can learn of groups that you can attend free of charge that can be quite supportive.  While these groups will not take the place of individual counseling if you are struggling with significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma or other mental health issues, they can be a very useful additional support for you in your healing journey.

Relevant Christian Reading Material for Clients Suffering from Sex, Porn, and Love Addiction, Depression, and Anxiety:

1. L.I.F.E. (Living In Freedom Everyday) Guide for Men: A Workbook for Men Seeking Freedom from Sexual Addiction. 
   • Here is a link to the book that is used in LIFE meetings.
2. No Stones: Women Redeemed from Sexual Addiction.  In this book Marnie C. Ferree offers a unique resource for women struggling with sexual addiction. Taking her book's title from the parable where Jesus extends grace to the woman caught in adultery, the author bravely shares her own story of sexual addiction. She also gives her clinical expertise on female sexual addiction accessibly and gently, providing a much-needed resource for women struggling with any degree of relational or sexual addiction. It also includes a specific chapter for anyone in close relationship with an addict, whether a spouse, family member, or friend, who wants to come alongside women as they seek help. 
   • Here is a link to the book:
3. Out of the Doghouse for Christian Men: A Redemptive Guide for Men Caught Cheating. This book the concrete steps men can take to rebuild trust, restore intimacy, and save their primary relationship from a Christian perspective. He also gives direction to Christian women on how to know when it is okay to move beyond fear, suspicion, and remorse to a place of hope and relationship renewal.
   • Here is a link to the book.
4. Overcoming Depression (The Victory Over the Darkness Series)- This is a Christian based book that assists with integrating spiritual principles with principles for overcoming depression.  
   • Here is a link for this text.
5. Anxious For Nothing: Finding Calm In A Chaotic World- This is a Christian-based book that provides guidelines for coping and healing from anxiety.  
   • Here is a link for the book.