Phase I

This phase was, at once, painful and emancipating. Involving my wife was a missing ingredient to my recovery, as difficult as it was to freely talk about my issues. However, we followed all the steps carefully and found tremendous growth as I began to separate from my addiction.

Until I met with John Hess of LifeSTAR, I had no idea how ignorant I was abut my own life and history, things essential to know in order to change core behaviors related to my addiction. With that knowledge coupled with the gospel knowledge I have, I feel more empowered to do what is necessary to begin the healing.

I learned about my mistakes that I have always made in trying to stop my addiction on my own. The Control Phase has been my life and knowledge of it made a huge impact alone. I also learned how my family is related to the addiction

Phase I provided me with valuable insights to begin to make sense of my addiction. It was helpful to see for the first time that my experiences were typical of others in my situation. I gained valuable insight that helped both me and my wife begin to work through our relationship issues.

In Phase I I learned why I acted out and finally found the necessary tools to truly overcome my addiction. 

The LifeSTAR Phase I course was my first step towards recovery. It helped me to understand in-depth the addiction to pornography I had and the effects it was having upon my life and the lives of my family. I highly recommend LifeSTAR to anyone suffering from this addiction.

Very good. Getting wives involved in the recovery process is key to overcoming and moving on with a healthy life. Addiction free.

Phase II

I went from walking to sprinting as new found tools, knowledge and enlightenment allowed me the strength to face the addictive patterns head on and win. It provided tools for my travels that have become second nature to me. I rarely slipped but when I did, my recovery was even more dramatic, more complete and more empowering.

A big step for phase II, for me was learning abut all the lies or forms of denial I would use with myself on a regular basis. Knowing about them was the first step and it was a milestone, another big step was to see the truth behind my fantasies, this was big because it helped my fantasies to lose their sway over my life.

I have just stared this phase, but so far I ham recognizing many things that I do that is not good and encouragement for the things I do that are. It is especially good to recognize that my habits and things I need to fix are not unique. I am not alone in this.

Phase II has been invaluable in my recovery. Regular check-ins help keep me honest, + help me escape from the secrecy which lies at the heart of my addiction. The group aspect provides much needed support, and allows me to provide support to the others in the group. The work-books have helped me analyze my addiction + establish sobriety. The printed materials have also helped me to establish a plan of action to be able to effectively deal with temptation.

Phase II brought me more understanding of the life changes I needed to make for lasting and full recovery.

This section was my personal favorite because it helped me to identify my past and what started me down the road of addiction. It was a life changing experience for me as I dug deep into my past to study my relationships, my thoughts and feelings about myself. I did not know or realize there was truly a problem until I took Phase II. I was carrying around a lot of Toxic Shame and the only way to get rid of it was through LifeSTAR.

The books and discussion are very in depth and really make you think and analyze the addiction. Great group discussions.

Phase III

I have grown a lot and have learned my role as a man and the proper relationships I am now striving for in my life. My life has turned around 360 degrees. My marriage is doing great as I reestablish trust with my wife. This is a life changing experience and anyone who wants to get rid of their sexual addiction has to take LifeSTAR!

Phase III brings me the understanding and support I need to continue with my healing and recovery.

Individual Therapy with John Hess, MS, LPC

Timely, enlightening. Sessions with John made me reflect, recommit and rededicate myself to follow my steps to recovery. No heavy rush to judgment, just patient empathy and inspiring insights that I needed.

I never had a positive opinion of therapy before. Previous experiences fed my dislike, but with John it was different. He seems more like a friend than a therapist which makes sharing with him easier. He is never condescending with his counsel. I especially like his holistic approach to healing the mind and spirit, encouraging me to do what is healthier for me.

I have met with John Hess for a year now. He is extremely competent, + provides insightful analysis that helps me see my actions + motives through the lens of reality. Meeting w/ John regularly helps keep me grounded, + keeps me on the path of recovery. He has helped me work through deep-seated emotional issues which lie at the heart of my addiction.

John helped me to realize and face the fact that I was an addict.

John is an amazing counselor; he has wonderful insights to many facets of sexual addiction. Very helpful.