
Jory Wilson
My Story
In a world that told me I needed to pick myself up by my bootstraps and tough it out I decided, after not being able to stuff emotions any longer, to go a different route. I left a career in ministry to heal the deep wounds that I was not even able to name.
That led to personal and couples therapy that forever changed my life for the better. I was thrilled to discover that the healing journey that I was on illuminated the gospel in my life in new ways.
Through prayer and seeking wisdom from those I trust and look up to, I decided to pursue a career in psychotherapy in efforts to extend the hand of compassion that was so lovingly extended to me.
Make no mistake about it, the work of change is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it is also the most rewarding.
I am living proof that couples therapy can have a profound impact on a relationship. My wife and I are living some of the most present and grateful years of our life as we raise a toddler in the Bay Area. We both entered our relationship with wounds that run incredibly deep, but the beauty of the God that loves us is that there is no depth too great for his restoration.
If that is true in my life, then it is true for you as well.
Favorite Quote & Spiritual Message
“Behold the One beholding you and smiling.”
"It is precisely because we have such an overactive disapproval gland ourselves that we tend to create God in our own image. It is truly hard for us to see the truth that disapproval does not seem to be part of God’s DNA. God is just too busy loving us to have any time left for disappointment.”
― Gregory Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion
Life often becomes too busy or too loud for us to hear the faint whisper of the God of the universe telling us the truth, “You are my beloved child. I am pleased with you.”
If it is possible for us to lose sight of our own belovedness then it is just as likely for us to lose sight of that in our partner. My hope in therapy is to create space for couples to embark on the courageous journey of restoration of what God deems to be wonderful: marriage.
Working with Christian Couples Struggling with Sexual Intimacy
Many Christian couples feel stuck when it comes to sexual intimacy. You may love each other deeply, share a strong faith, and still struggle in the bedroom. You're not alone.
I work with couples who feel confusion, shame, or fear around sex—not because of infidelity or addiction—but because intimacy just isn't what they hoped it would be. Sometimes it’s a difference in desire. Other times, it's past trauma, religious messaging, or simply a lack of healthy communication around sexuality.
In our sessions, we:
-
Create a safe space to talk openly about what’s not working
-
Explore how faith, family history, and past experiences shape sexual beliefs
-
Identify the emotional and spiritual barriers that may be blocking connection
-
Replace shame with curiosity, tenderness, and grace
-
Reclaim God’s beautiful design for intimacy—one step at a time
I believe that sexual intimacy is not just a physical act but a spiritual and emotional bond. If you're struggling to connect in this area, there is hope. You don’t have to choose between your faith and your body. There is a path forward that honors both.
How I work with Sex Addiction: Couples & Individuals
I support both individuals and couples impacted by sex addiction. As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) Candidate, I’ve trained in evidence-based methods to help people heal from compulsive sexual behaviors—often rooted in trauma or deep emotional pain.
We look at the behavior, yes—but we also look at what the behavior is protecting. Together, we:
-
Explore the underlying trauma and unmet needs
-
Build accountability, structure, and support
-
Work with betrayed partners to process pain and reclaim their voice
-
Move through recovery one clear, manageable step at a time
Healing is possible. You don’t have to walk this road alone.
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (Candidate)
What is a CSAT?
Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) are professionals who have taken supplementary training to treat individuals experiencing unwanted or compulsive sexual behaviors, or sex addiction.
CSATs take a deep dive into the root of the compulsive behavior, in many cases it is trauma, and provide a step-by-step guide to healing both the behavior and the wound it is protecting.
You can read more by clicking here:
Understanding Addiction
One of the first steps for the acting out partner is to start figuring out if you may have an addiction. This can be scary!
In spite of your curiosity, you may be afraid to learn more about yourself. Talking to anyone requires trust that you may not have at this time.
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST).
One way to start learning about yourself is to take the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) which is designed to assist in the assessment of sexually compulsive behavior which may indicate the presence of sex addiction.
http://www.recoveryzone.com/tests/sex-addiction/SAST/index.php
And remember: addiction doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means something deeper needs attention. It’s not about shame—it’s about healing.
12 Step Groups
Lastly, many couples find 12 step groups to be very informative and helpful in terms of community support:
-
SA 12 steps - Sexaholics Anonymous
-
SAA 12 steps - Sex Addicts Anonymous
-
Difference between support groups -
-
S-Anon - 12 Step program provides support for family & friends of sex addicts
-
COSA - Twelve Step recovery program for those whose lives have been affected by compulsive sexual behavior
-
CoDA - Codependents Anonymous
-
RCA - Recovery Couples Anonymous
A New Way of Seeing Addiction
I often share Johann Hari's TED talk, "Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong." He highlights something powerful: the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—it’s connection.
Understanding addiction through the lens of disconnection helps couples soften toward each other and begin building the emotional safety required for real change.
Trauma, Sex and Relationships
When couples deal with Sex Addiction, the acting-out partner may be behaving in ways that reflect trauma experienced earlier in life. The betrayed partner may have experienced the partner's acting out itself as trauma. Understanding how trauma impact one's ability to relate to each other is critical to having a safe place to heal.
Our work in couples therapy is rooted in the following fundamentals:
-
We have the capacity to heal each other that is equal to our capacity to destroy.
-
Language give us the power to change.
-
We can regulate our own physiology [without drugs] through breathing, moving, touching.
-
We can change how we respond to each other to help our love one's feel safe and thrive.
A helpful book to understand trauma is Bessel Van der Kolk's book, The Body Keeps the Score.
Talking about Porn
Pornography is a common topic in my work with couples. I don’t approach it from a one-size-fits-all stance, but I do explore with you how it’s impacting your relationship—and whether it's helping or hurting the connection you're trying to build.
Curious to learn more? These talks are great starting points:
When Sex Attraction Surfaces
If one partner in a heterosexual marriage is experiencing same-sex attraction, it can create confusion, fear, and rupture.
I offer a nonjudgmental space for couples to process what this means for them. We focus on honesty, compassion, and discernment—without jumping to conclusions. A helpful starting point is
More info:
-
Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist, AMFT #145913
-
Christian Sex Addiction Coach
-
Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452
-
Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Inc.