by Kenneth M. Adams, Mary E. Meyer, Culle L. Vande Garde
A groundbreaking book detailing the unique issues experienced by adult children who grew up with a sexually addicted parent and offering a path to unburden their shameful legacy and embrace sexuality and intimacy without the intrusion or constraints from the past.
Sexuality and intimacy are important ingredients in healthy, loving relationships. But sex addiction warps the experiences and, when the addict is a parent, can leave a cascading legacy of pain and trauma for generations to come. Adult children who grew up with a parent who had a sexual addiction are left confused, ashamed, and mistrustful regarding the feelings and boundaries surrounding sex, love, and intimacy. Due to the inappropriate sexual behavior of one parent, and the subsequent impact of betrayal on the other parent, these adults carry sexual secrets, have divided loyalties, and are often caught in the middle of their parents’ struggles. Adult children of sex addicts (ACSAs) struggle with their sexuality and longings for love and carry a burden of shame that is not theirs.
This groundbreaking book details the unique issues experienced by adult children who grew up with a sexually addicted parent and offers a path to unburden their shameful legacy and embrace sexuality and intimacy without the intrusion or constraints from the past. A Light in the Dark offers hope for unburdening ACSAs by sharing the experiences of others, as well as examining the characteristics, roles and recovery that point toward the freedom and joy they rightfully deserve. Included is a journaling section for deeper reflection and understanding.
Kenneth M. Adams, Ph., CSAT-S, is a licensed psychologist and faculty member with the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals and the clinical director of Kenneth M. Adams and Associates. He is the author of Silently Seduced and When He’s Married to Mom.
Mary E. Meyer, PhD, LMFT, is a couples and family therapist and executive director of Full Heart Family Therapy. She is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and a Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapist.
Culle L. Vande Garde, LCSW-S, CSAT, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and founder of Dallas Center for Relational Healing.
“A Light in the Dark offers adult children not only a framework and language to understand their experiences but, equally important, a voice and path to their recovery. By recognizing and addressing the consequences of sexual shame, they will forge a new path free of their families’ fear, pain, and shame. This book shines light on the dark while providing light for the future. This is an exciting contribution to the recovery field that is much needed and long overdue.”
—Claudia Black, PhD, author of It Will Never Happen to Me, pioneer, adult children of alcoholics movement
“A Light in the Dark is a book whose time has come—a beautiful testimonial and guidebook for adult children of sex addicts (ACSAs) raised in the accompanying deceit and chaos of addiction. A must read for ACSAs and anyone who works in the field of addiction!”
—Alexandra Katehakis, PhD, author of Sex Addiction as Affect Dysregulation: A Neurobiologically Informed Holistic Treatment
Facilitated by Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Leilani Sinclair (LMFT/CSAT), this workshop series addresses the unique issues and challenges commonly experienced by adult children who grew up in a home with a sexually addicted parent. While not focusing on blaming parents for the past, this workshop provides a safe, supportive and educational environment for participants to learn, understand and heal from the lasting personal toll they experienced as a result of their parent’s addiction. The goal of the series is to provide tools and a path forward that fosters a new legacy of joy and wholeness that is free from past addiction, shame and intergenerational trauma.