// OUR MISSION
The human race has been finding its way by using stars as navigation since the beginning of recorded history. Many of the stars have Arabic names because the ancient people of the desert used the stars for direction. Primitive tribes accomplished amazing feats of pathfinding using only the sky as their guide. They very carefully observed the night sky and used the stars as their guide—they relied on star guides. Many youth in today’s modern world find themselves lost in cyberspace and in need of direction as they attempt to navigate the thick darkness of pornography, sexual behavior problems and technology addictions. Just as the ancient peoples of the world, they are in need of Star Guides.
Navigation to Healthy Relationships.
OUR MISSION
Sexual Compulsivity
STAR
Also referred to as hypersexuality, hypersexual disorder or sexual addiction — is an obsession with sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviors that increasingly affects youth and adults alike. With the ease of access to internet pornography, compulsive sexual behavior in teens and young adults is on the rise.
Fueled by pornography, it can have adverse effects on a youth’s school or job performance, relationships, decision-making, judgment and emotional/psychological well-being. The power and potency of today’s internet pornography far surpasses the pornography traditionally found in magazines of bygone eras.
So easily obtained and so easily hidden, many youth become addicted without anyone ever knowing. In some youth, as the addiction grows it can take dangerous turns. Compulsive sexual behavior may involve fantasies or activities outside the bounds of culturally, legally or morally accepted sexual behavior. Sexual behaviors outside the bounds of commonly accepted conduct are called paraphilias.
These behaviors range from sexting, cyber-sexual activity, voyeurism, compulsive cross-dressing to sexually experimentation with younger siblings or even having sexual desires towards children (pedophilia), animals or objects.
No matter what it’s called or the exact nature of the behavior, untreated compulsive sexual behavior can lead to a variety of devastating short-term and long-term consequences. Most pornography and sexual addictions begin in middle childhood or early adolescence. Unfortunately many don’t seek help until they are adults.
THE WORD STAR IN OUR NAME HAS MEANING...
STAR
Assessment
Identifying the problems early, before they have time to grow and develop into pervasive, enslaving habits is essential. The assessment process allows professional therapists to identify the intensity and frequency of the issues and to begin to explore the origins and underlying issues of what is driving the behaviors. Often times, the addiction is tied into emotional and/or psychological issues including childhood trauma, sexual abuse, low-self esteem, school problems, social anxiety, stress, depression, family problems and numerous other issues.
The assessment process provides parents, courts and other helping professionals with the direction and guidance needed to identify a proper course of treatment well beyond completion of their wilderness experience.
STAR
Recovery
Is what occurs when problematic behaviors are disrupted and a young person begins to learn to manage life without relying on the sexual behaviors are disrupted judgement and decision making improve.
Young people begin to experience satisfaction from their efforts to remain abstinent from their addictive behaviors. Judgment and decision making improves. Enjoyment in previous activities begins to reoccur. Youth are reconnected with their true emotions. Genuine relationships are identified and formed. Youth in recovery are able to look back, understand how they got to where they were, implement the tools they need to stay in recovery and recognize the immense progress they have made in overcoming their issues.
Recovery is the condition we want all youth to achieve and is the goal of every youth who participates in the STAR Guides program.
For many sexual problematic behaviors, the root lies in unresolved trauma. Often, adolescents who are struggling with sexual behavior are also dealing with their own trauma issues. Treating the unresolved trauma is an important component of helping a young person develop a healthy foundation of growth and understanding.
Trauma & Abuse
STAR
