Dr. James Olsen

Dr. Olsen is an expert in sexual health and specializes in treating problematic and compulsive sexual behaviors.  Over the years, he has helped countless individuals who were concerned they might be struggling with sexual addiction, or other sexual behavior struggles, to rebuild their lives and repair their relationships. ​

Dr. Olsen understands the complexities of sexual struggles and how they can consume your life.  Because no two people are the same, he believes in thoroughly assessing for other co-occurring mental health difficulties that can fuel impulsive and compulsive sexual behaviors.  Moreover, he works to understand the underlying nature of the behavior and its function in the person’s life. Each client has their own story and unique struggles, Dr. Olsen will tailor treatment to address your specific concerns. ​

Hiding a secret sexual life can feel shameful and empty.  Over time, you lose pieces of yourself and your relationships are put at risk. Taking accountability for the hurt your behaviors have caused and developing empathy for your hurt partner is an important part of the healing process. Dr. Olsen will help you acknowledge the true nature of the problem, regain stability, and repair the damage to your life. 

Dr. Olsen is active in the field of sexual health and previously served on the board of directors for Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH).  He was one of the lead clinicians in charge of developing international training standards and credentialing for treating sexually compulsive behaviors.  He is an accomplished researcher and continues to present nationally on the topic of sexual health.  

Previously, Dr. Olsen served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Mental Health Law & Policy Journal, the first peer-reviewed law journal in the United States to focus exclusively on mental health law, policy, and ethics. In that capacity, he collaborated with leading mental health law scholars from across the nation.

Dr. Olsen facilitates individual, couples, and group therapy at Pacific Behavioral Healthcare. He draws from cognitive-behavioral and constructivist approaches to create a compassionate environment that enables individuals and relationships to experience growth. He has trained with internationally recognized experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy, complicated grief, and sexual compulsivity.