The ocean of tears cannot drown us if karuna (compassion) is there.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Karuna is the Buddhist word for compassion. Compassion is at the core of all of our therapeutic strategies. Compassion for ourselves. Compassion for each other.
Karuna Early Recovery Couples Counseling
Conventional wisdom either postpones couples work until after individual recovery or prematurely initiates marriage counseling that risks retraumatizing the partner. At Karuna, we believe in structured, early couples therapy that’s distinctly different from traditional marriage counseling. Our approach is trauma-informed, respectful, and research-backed, guiding couples toward early relational healing without increasing the risk of divorce.
Meet Our Therapists
Rob Terry
CSAT IFS Therapist
Rob is an IFS-first therapist specializing in sex addiction recovery, betrayal trauma, and relationship repair. Leveraging his analytical background (MBA, IT consulting) and personal recovery experience, Rob integrates EMDR, ACT, mindfulness, and attachment-focused therapies to guide deep, lasting transformation. Read more
Angela Doel
Betrayal Trauma Therapist
Angie is Karuna's lead therapist, bringing 20+ years' experience guiding individuals and couples through betrayal trauma and relational wounds. An accomplished author of multiple books and therapy manuals, Angela adapted Rob's teachings into Karuna’s signature betrayal trauma course, blending compassion with practical, evidence-based strategies. Read more
Vannah Hughes
CSAT IFS Therapist
Vannah is a highly experienced couples counselor specializing in treating high-profile clients impacted by sex, love, and relationship addictions. With 15+ years of expertise, she integrates IFS, psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and somatic approaches to provide discreet, holistic, and evidence-based healing. Read more
Len Liebner
Betrayal Trauma Therapist
Len brings 21 years of therapy experience across diverse settings, including mental health, substance abuse, and court-ordered counseling. Trained in the Karuna Approach for sex addiction treatment, he begins formal CSAT certification in April, blending compassion and practical guidance for meaningful change. Read more
Rolando Arias
CSAT IFS Therapist
Rolando’s formation and experience as a philosopher and spiritual director has helped him build a solid commitment to helping others based on empathy, compassion, and understanding. Currently trained in IFS, EMDR, and the Karuna Approach, he begins formal CSAT certification in April, blending compassion and evidence-based trauma-informed therapy. Read more
IFS: Loving Your Parts Instead of Hating
Them
Internal Family Systems (IFS) completely transforms how you see yourself. Rather than fighting and hating your "addicted" or wounded parts, you'll learn to meet them with compassion and understanding. By reconnecting and healing these internal wounds, compulsions naturally diminish, making true recovery possible.
Mindfulness: Creating Space for
Choice
Mindfulness isn’t just meditation—it's half the battle for those in recovery and their partners. By cultivating mindfulness, you learn to create space between your emotions, urges, and reactions. Instead of compulsively acting out or reacting to trauma triggers, you'll gain the freedom to pause, respond intentionally, and make healthier choices
Betrayal Trauma: Real Pain, Real Healing
Betrayal Trauma: Real Pain, Real HealingBetrayal trauma is real—partners often experience PTSD symptoms comparable to those of war veterans. At Karuna, we acknowledge this severe pain and treat it seriously. We never retraumatize your partner or blame her for your behaviors. Instead, we walk alongside both of you, facilitating genuine healing and rebuilding trust together.
🔗 Integrated Healing: Addiction is Relational
Porn and sex addiction don’t occur in isolation; when you're in a relationship, addiction inherently affects your partner. True healing requires addressing both individual struggles and relational wounds simultaneously. Karuna’s integrated healing approach addresses the addiction, the partner’s betrayal trauma, and the relational dynamics together, creating lasting change.
💑 Partner-Sensitive Approach: Protecting, Not Blaming
Traditional therapy can inadvertently blame or retraumatize partners, sometimes even suggesting they're responsible for their spouse’s addiction or affair. Karuna Healing explicitly rejects this harmful approach. Our model protects and validates partners, ensuring their trauma is understood and sensitively cared for throughout the entire recovery process.
👩❤️👨 Early Couples Work: Healing Together From Day One
Conventional wisdom either postpones couples work until after individual recovery or prematurely initiates marriage counseling that risks retraumatizing the partner. At Karuna, we believe in structured, early couples therapy that’s distinctly different from traditional marriage counseling. Our approach is trauma-informed, respectful, and research-backed, guiding couples toward early relational healing without increasing the risk of divorce.
🧩 Attachment Theory: Healing the Core Wounds
At the heart of compulsive sexual behaviors lie attachment wounds, typically stemming from trauma. As you heal these attachment injuries, your behavior naturally realigns with your true values and self-worth. Attachment healing empowers you to stop self-sabotage, creating lasting freedom from addiction.
⏱️ Pro-Marriage: Change Happens Quickly
Long-term relationships are very valuable. The growth and intimacy that occurs through deep healing and
⏱️ Brief, Effective Therapy: Change Happens Quickly
Many therapists will tell you that real change takes years—this simply isn't true. With Karuna’s structured, intensive 8-week program, you'll experience profound shifts quickly. For many clients, this program provides all the formal therapy they’ll need. At a minimum, it's a powerful jump-start toward lasting change.
⏱️ Built on Research and Clinical Best Practices
Our program was carefully developed from rigorous research, clinical best practices, and thousands of hours of real-world implementation. Starting with our comprehensive assessment, we identify the precise root causes of your struggles, ensuring your therapy targets exactly what's needed. Every element—from trauma-informed therapy techniques like IFS and EMDR, to structured recovery processes—is evidence-based and proven effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer 50-minute sessions at the following rates:
- Rob: $195 (Sex Addiction)
- Angie: $120 (Betrayed Partners, Couples)
- Vanna: $175 (Couples, Female SA)
- Len: $120 (Sex Addiction)
We do not accept insurance, as our services are provided as recovery coaching rather than therapy. See an explanation of that distinction here (clickable link to the coaching vs therapy page). However, most clients can use their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for reimbursement of mental health-related coaching expenses.
We believe healing from sex addiction and betrayal trauma can happen faster than traditional models suggest. Our intensive, structured approach gives you powerful tools for lasting change, and many clients find significant improvement within the 8-week program.
We’ll guide you through an honest and compassionate evaluation process. Whether your marriage can heal depends on factors we’ll explore together. Our goal is to empower you to make wise, informed decisions, regardless of your partner’s choices.
Absolutely. With the right support and tools, deep and lasting recovery from sex addiction and betrayal trauma is completely achievable. Real change is not only possible—it’s within your reach right now.
Yes. All sessions are provided via secure teletherapy, offering convenience, privacy, and accessibility wherever you are.
Click the consultation button below and complete our contact form, specifying your preferred therapist and a couple of alternative times that work for you. We’ll follow up promptly to get you started on your healing journey.
