Trigger Warning: This interview discusses sexual compulsive behaviors, juvenile sexual offending, trauma, and family dysfunction. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Bailey and Chelsea sit down with Samantha, a Licensed Therapist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), who specializes in treating individuals struggling with sexual compulsive behaviors, pornography addiction, and partners affected by sexual offenses. Drawing on her background in nursing, addiction recovery, and trauma therapy, Samantha offers both clinical insight and personal compassion for clients facing shame, secrecy, and recovery challenges.

Samantha discusses her time working with juvenile sex offenders in a Florida diversion program—where adolescents were treated therapeutically rather than incarcerated. She describes how her perception of these youths evolved from discomfort to empathy, emphasizing that many of them were “damaged at a young age” and required treatment, not lifelong punishment. She highlights the emotional and developmental factors behind harmful behaviors and how accountability and empathy can coexist in treatment.

The conversation expands into prevention and early intervention, addressing the role of family dysfunction, exposure to sexual content, and the accessibility of pornography. Samantha and the hosts explore how shame often fuels secrecy and relapse, and why open communication, education, and trauma-informed therapy are key to preventing future harm.

The episode closes with a message of hope and awareness: there are trained professionals ready to work with adolescents and families navigating these painful realities, and early, compassionate intervention saves lives and futures.

About Our Guest: 

Samantha is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) who specializes in treating individuals struggling with sexual compulsive behaviors, pornography addiction, and the partners affected by those behaviors — including partners of individuals who have offended sexually. She provides a nonjudgmental, confidential, and safe environment for clients to explore the areas of their lives where they may struggle.

Her clinical experience spans sexual addiction and compulsivity, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, codependency, and relationship challenges. Samantha also works with clients experiencing chronic pain and tinnitus. She is actively licensed in Florida, New York, and Tennessee.

With extensive experience treating eating disorders such as compulsive overeating, anorexia, and bulimia, Samantha uses a cognitive-behavioral approach and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process and heal from past and present trauma. She also applies specialized interventions to address chronic pain.

Samantha believes that everyone has the capacity to release addictive patterns and live a life grounded in peace, connection, and purpose. Her passion lies in helping individuals and families overcome struggle, rediscover self-worth, and build a meaningful life of recovery and wholeness.

Contact Samantha – Samantha Ammann, RN, LCSW, CSAT, RYT