Porn & Sex Addiction, Sexuality & Autism with Candice Christiansen

Continuing our focus on porn and sex addiction and autism sexuality with expert Candice Christiansen.
Today, we talk about the co-occurrence and reasons Autistic people can struggle with porn or sex addiction. Diagnosed later in life herself and now an expert in the field of autism and sexuality, Candice provides a breadth of information that listeners or viewers (YT) will benefit from. This is not a faith-based discussion today.
 About our Guest:
Candice Christiansen, Founder, Clinical Director, LCMHC, Neuro-Inclusive IFS, CSAT-S, CMAT-S, Certified EMDR, Psychedelic Integration Therapist, Author, Speaker, Presenter

 Expertise:
Autism and ADHD, Neuro-Inclusive IFS, Complex Trauma, DID, Sexual, Betrayal, and High Conflict Relationship Issues, Intensive Therapy for complicated issues/relationship dynamics, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, Generational Healing.
 Candice Christiansen, LCMHC, CSAT-S, CMAT, Neuro-Inclusive IFS, Certified EMDR, and Psychedelic Assisted Therapist (PAT), is the Founder and Clinical Director of Namasté Center For Healing. As a leading expert in trauma-informed care and neurodiversity, Candice specializes in supporting individuals and couples navigating complex mental health challenges, including trauma, intimate betrayal, and high-conflict relationship dynamics. As an autism expert, her innovative and inclusive therapeutic approach extends to providing neuro-affirmative screenings, consultations, training, and presentations to neuropsychologists, medical professionals, professors, and students at institutions like Yale University, Harvard, Seeking Integrity Los Angeles, and the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals in Arizona. Candice is a published author, with works including "Mastering the Trauma Wound" (2016) and "Compassionate KAP: Creating Neuro-Affirmative ‘Set and Settings’ for Autistic Adults Participating in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)" (2024). Her insights on relationship issues have also been featured in prominent media outlets, including the Salt Lake Tribune and Talkspace.com, and she has served as a relationship expert for Fox 13's The Place and other regional news programs. Committed to advancing mental health awareness and best practices, Candice served on the Division of Professional Licensing Substance Use Disorder Board for five years and on the Utah Mental Health Counselor Association's (UMHCA) Board. Her work emphasizes fostering resilience and healing by acknowledging and integrating all aspects of an individual's experience. Candice's dedication lies in empowering individuals and professionals with the understanding and tools necessary to navigate mental health challenges effectively.
 Candice and her colleague, Meg Martinez, wrote a chapter about our Neuro-inclusive approach to IFS in “Altogether Us” (2023). In 2023, Candice and her colleague Aly Dearborn, LMFT, created a Neuro-affirmative Autism screening tool that can be used with any gender, but identifies additional traits that are common in Autistic females and non-binary adults.
 Disclaimer: When we have guests on the podcast, they are recognized for their expertise in autism as advocates, self-advocates, clinicians, parents, or other professionals in the field. They may or may not be part of the faith community; having a guest on the broader topic of autism does not necessarily reflect complete agreement with the guest, just as many guests may not share our faith perspective. Guests are chosen by topic for the chosen podcast discussion and are not necessarily in full agreement with all beliefs of the chosen guest(s).