Recommended Reading List

Barta, Michael. TINSA. North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace, 2018.

Dr. Barta developed the Trauma Induced Sexual Addiction model of treatment which approaches treatment of sex addiction from the perspective that the primary origin of sexual addiction lies in a damaged autonomic nervous system due to developmental traumas.

Carnes, Patrick. Out of the Shadows. Center City, MN: Hazelden, 2001.

This book has long been the gold standard for understanding sexual compulsivity; Dr. Carnes has led the way in research, treatment and writing and all of us who are progressing in recovery owe a great debt of gratitude to Carnes for his pioneering work; actually all of Dr. Carnes’ books are useful, well-researched and important reads.

Carnes, Patrick. Facing the Shadow, 3rd Edition. Carefree, AZ: Gentle Path Press, 2015.

A significantly helpful workbook for a person wanting to work on recovering from sexual addiction; best use is in a therapy group, one-on-one with a trained therapist or working through it with a sex addiction group sponsor; based on Carnes’ thirty-task model for recovery; this workbook can be followed up with Recovery Zone (2009); there is also a spiritually supplemental companion workbook, Shadows of the Cross (see below), designed to be used along with Facing the Shadow.

Carnes, Stefanie, ed. Mending a Shattered Heart, 2nd Edition. Carefree, AZ: Gentle Path Press, 2011.

This guide for partners of sex addicts is essential reading; the chapters of this go-to guide are based on the frequently asked questions of those whose hearts have been broken and lives upended by sexual betrayal.

Carnes, Stefanie, Mari A Lee, Anthony D. Rodriguez. Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts. Carefree, AZ: Gentle Path Press, 2012.

This step-by-step guide will help spouses and partners of sex addicts use specific tasks and exercises to move through heartbreak and betrayal to hope and healing.

Cashwell, Craig, Pennie K Johnson and Patrick Carnes. Shadows of the Cross: A Christian Companion to Facing the Shadow. Carefree, AZ: Gentle Path Press, 2015.

This work book contains material to read, Biblical passages and exercises to do and prompts for prayer and journaling; it’s recommended to work through the first three chapters in Shadows of the Cross before starting Facing the Shadow.

Cusick, Michael John. Surfing For God. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2012.

A good personal story of recovery and some very helpful insights on how recovery from sex addiction works.

Duhigg, Charles. The Power of Habit. New York, NY: Random House, 2012.

While not specifically about addiction, I think this is a very important, instructive read for everyone who struggles with understanding why we do some of the things we do and how to better understand how our brains actually work.

Ferree, Marnie C. No Stones. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2010.

A tremendously significant work, including Marnie’s own story of struggle with compulsive behavior and recovery; we really don’t talk about sex addiction among women, especially in the church, yet it is a very real issue; this book is a very important and helpful read for everyone.

Laaser, Mark. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.

Laaser was a Christian psychologist with ministry training and background; Laaser studied under Carnes and incorporated the dynamics of competent sex addiction recovery for a Christian context.

Larkin, Nate. Samson and the Pirate Monks. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2006.

A really good resource written by a significant leader in the movement for healthy male spirituality, founder of the Samson Society and host of the Pirate Monk Podcast and the Positive Sobriety podcast.

Lewis, Marc. Memoirs of An Addicted Brain. Canada: Doubleday Canada, 2011; US New York, NY: PublicAffairs, 2012.

A neuroscientist and addict in recovery, Lewis’ memoir is a striking blend of terrific scientific grounding and the mind-numbing, life-altering consequences of addiction shared in a way that offers relevant information and hope to addicts and those who suffer with them.

Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel. Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1990.

Eugene Peterson called this book “a zestful and accurate portrayal that tells us unmistakably that the gospel is good, dazzlingly good.” Brennan was a mentor to me, and a brother on the road to recovery .

Manning, Brennan. Abba’s Child. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1994.

It’s not just addicts that struggle with shame and the longing to belong, but addicts struggle with these things extraordinarily. Brennan awakens the longing and proclaims the preposterous reality that God not only loves us, but wants us, just as we are.

Mathieu, Ingrid, Ph.D. Recovering Spirituality: Achieving Emotional Sobriety in Your Spiritual Practice. Center City, MN: Hazelden, 2011.

This is a highly useful exploration of spiritual bypass, both adaptive and maladaptive, and healthy, second stage recovery work. This is a book worth reading and re-reading for those of us who struggle with emotional sobriety and putting all the pieces together of an integrated life.

 Riemersma, Jenna. Altogether You. Marietta, GA: Pivotal Press, 2020.

This book unpacks the Internal Family Systems therapeutic approach in an easily accessible and usable way for Christians; Riemersma blends her skills of therapeutic competence and intelligent communication in a personal presentation that is as highly invitational as it is thought-provoking.

Rohr, Richard. Breathing Under Water. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011.

A really good work integrating Twelve Steps practices with Christian spirituality by a notable author.

Ryan, Dale and Juanita Ryan. Rooted in God’s Love. Brea, CA: Christian Recovery International, 2007.

This series of meditations on biblical texts offers grace, inspiration and hope to all who struggle with broken-heartedness and weariness of spirit; a rich resource of spiritual guidance and comfort.

Ryan, T. C. Ashamed No More. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2012.

I’ve been quite gratified by the wide array of positive reviews and the different audiences the book has spoken to; the book speaks not just to addicts, but to partners and family members, to counselors who may have Christian clients but don’t quite understand evangelicalism, and to church leaders at every level who are grappling with the presence of compulsive sexual behavior throughout the church and who long for the church to be the place of genuine invitation, safety, healing and compassion Jesus intended it to be.

Schwartz, Richard C. Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model. The Center for Self Leadership: Trailheads Publications, 2001.

Schwartz has developed a highly effective therapeutic model of helping people heal by learning to listen in a new way to their various thoughts and feelings.

Stein, Timothy D. Gifts of Recovery. Self-published: 2019.

A thoughtful and profound daily reader for those recovering from porn and sexual addiction, whether they are new on the path or have been at it for a long time; Stein’s approach is informed and encouraging and this resource will be useful to those in recovery time and time again.

Stringer, Jay. Unwanted. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2018.

Through research and practical counsel, Stringer suggests that our willingness to confront and ask questions of our sexual struggles may reveal the pathway of our healing.

Struthers, William. Wired for Intimacy. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2009.

A really good, thorough treatment of the brain chemistry aspects of addiction and pornography in particular. Struthers is a professor at Wheaton College and explains the neurology of how porn works, especially in the male brain, and what it takes to recover.

Thompson, Curt. The Soul of Shame. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2015.

This treatment of shame discusses the ubiquitous nature of shame, it’s neuro-biological roots and offers solid theological and practical tools for engaging the damaging effects and overcoming the wounds of shame.

Van Der Kolk, Bessel. The Body Keeps The Score. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2014.

Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s research and other studies, this comprehensive and compelling guide show the effects of trauma on both the body and the brain and explores recent paths of recovery; this is a fairly intense and very important read.

Weiss, Robert. Sex Addiction 101. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications Inc, 2015.

While Weiss is not writing from a specifically Christian perspective, this is a very good, practical guide to the terms and aspects of what sex addiction is; Sex Addiction 101 The Workbook, Telemarchus Press, 2016, is a companion workbook that has twenty-four very helpful exercises.

Weiss, Robert, Ferree, Marnie C. Out of the Doghouse for Christian Men. Palm Springs, CA: Three iii Publishing, 2018.

Based on Weiss’ original Out of the Doghouse, 2017, this collaboration with Ferree offers men (and women) of faith a practical and informative guide for recovery after infidelity.

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1998.

A masterpiece of Christian Spirituality, God’s intentions for us and the path of genuine transformation; this book is comprehensive, deep, inviting, accessible, the life work of a giant.