Martha Darkins, RN, LPC, CSAT

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) who started my career as a registered nurse (RN) over 20 years ago. I have a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis &Clark College as well as advanced training with Dr. Patrick Carnes, the preeminent authority in the field of trauma and sexual addiction therapy. He is the founder of the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). To obtain my certification in this specialty, I was required to attend multiple training modules over a two-year period with additional supervision by a CSAT supervisor. Currently I am required to attend on-going education programs in the field to assure I remain an expert in providing therapy to trauma survivors, sex, love and romance addicts as well as their partners or spouses. I respect sexual and gender diversity.

Philosophy and Approach

I provide confidential, individual, group and couple’s counseling. I place high value on the therapeutic bond between my clients and myself. It is this bond, based in trust and mutual respect, which increases the probability clients will make the changes they say they want in their lives. I follow a cognitive-behavioral framework for therapy, but frequently pull from person-centered and motivational interviewing techniques. I use both a brief solution-focused and a long-term analytical approach.

Professional Affiliations and Activities

• International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP)

Find me on their website under “Find a Therapist” http://sexhelp.com and http://www.recoveryzone.com

• Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)

• American Mental Health Alliance of Oregon (AMHA)

Find me on their website under “Therapist Locator” http://www.amha-or.org

• Frequent speaker at 12-Step Conferences for Sex Addicts, Co-Dependents and Co-Addicts.