Dr. Grisel Lopez-Escobar, PhD (in Counseling),
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Providing Virtual Therapy to Adult Clients
in the States of AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, MA, ME, NV, OR, SC, TX, UT, VT, WI & WY, USA
Specializing in Supporting Clients who are Newly Secular or Deconstructing from High Control Religions, Groups or Cults: Religious Trauma / Faith Crisis, Religious Deconstruction / Purity Culture / Religious Residue / Mixed-Faith Relationships / Secular Therapy
Sexual Suppression Cycle
The cyclical pattern of repressing sexual thoughts or behaviors due to shame, followed by guilt and intensified need for control
You feel intense shame after experiencing sexual thoughts.
You repeatedly confess masturbation as a spiritual failure.
You avoid dating to “stay pure,” then feel isolated and confused.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Sexual dysfunction or repression often occurs.
Obsessive thoughts about sexuality can develop.
Identity confusion and emotional distress frequently arise.