Cinsel Bağımlılık ve Bilişsel Davranışcı Terapi Üzerine Derleme

Sexual addiction is characterized by a loss of control over sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors, often leading to repetitive and compulsive patterns. This condition may cause significant impairments in an individual's social, occupational, and personal functioning. Etymologically, the term “addiction” refers to an intense and uncontrollable desire toward a substance or behavior, which, in the context of sexual addiction, reflects the compulsive continuation of such behaviors despite adverse consequences. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that aims to identify and modify dysfunctional cognitive patterns in order to reduce problematic behaviors. CBT is especially prominent in the treatment of addictive behaviors, as it focuses on the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and actions.The purpose of this review study is to examine the implementation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in individuals diagnosed with sexual addiction. The research was conducted through a literature review method, and no field study or psychometric measurement tools were applied. The reviewed sources consist of both Turkish and English academic articles. According to the findings obtained from the literature, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy plays an effective role in improving sexual impulse control, recognizing triggering factors, and helping individuals develop healthier coping strategies. Furthermore, CBT has been observed to reduce accompanying emotional problems such as guilt, shame, and anxiety. CBT-based interventions for sexual addiction not only aim to alleviate symptoms but also seek to enhance overall quality of life. In conclusion, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy appears to be an effective approach in the treatment of sexual addiction. For future research, it is recommended to increase sample sizes, include participants from diverse age groups and demographic backgrounds, and examine the long-term efficacy of CBT interventions as well as their cultural adaptability. Keywords: Sexual Addiction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Review.