6-Day Residential Recovery Course

Singapore 24.2 - 1.3.2025

Course Description

Who is it for?
Our 6-day residential treatment program for sex and pornography addiction is dedicated to individuals struggling with compulsive sexual behaviours, providing focused support for their unique challenges.

The Support of Evidence-Based Methods
Developed by Dr Paula Hall from Laurel Centre, it is currently the only evidence-based treatment programme in the world, with proven results published in a peer-reviewed research journal. You can read the results here.

Fast-track into recovery
Our residential program has been designed to get you away from your usual environment to allow you to focus all your attention on overcoming compulsive sexual behaviours. The course uniquely provides practical skills for recovery and explores deeper emotional and psychological needs. It provides the equivalent of 56 hours of therapy. It also provides an environment that overcomes the shame, isolation and secrecy that often maintain addiction and provides an intense, fast-track into recovery.

By the end of the course, attendees will be able to:

  • Understand the biological and psychological causes of their addiction

  • Recognise and manage triggers

  • Establish relapse prevention strategies to secure and maintain recovery

  • Identify and overcome potential future blocks to recovery

  • Develop long-term strategies for re-establishing personal integrity and a healthy lifestyle

A Safe Space
We strive to create an exclusive space of safety and confidentiality for you through these specific conditions:

  • Private, quiet residential location away from crowds.

  • Confidentiality (first-name basis only with all participants required to sign a confidentiality agreement).

  • Small group size with a maximum of 8 men.

  • Facilitated by 2 counsellors trained in sex/porn addiction by ISAT (Institute of Sex Addiction Training)

Testimonials
For more client reviews, look at further testimonials here. Also, read about one of Laurel Centre’s clients’ personal experiences with the 6-Day Recovery Course on our blog.

Details

The cost includes bed and breakfast for five nights, lunch, refreshments, all treatment materials, a personalized aftercare plan, and a follow-up day three months after the course's end. We require a deposit to book your place, but the balance can be paid in affordable, interest-free installments.

Please click the “Register Here” button below to reserve a place in our next course. You will be requested to pay an SGD200 reservation fee, which covers the cost of an introductory appointment.

When: Monday, February 24th - Saturday, 1st March, 2025, 9 am - 6 pm.
Venue: Hotel resort in Singapore. For privacy reasons, the venue's location will be emailed to you.
Cost: SGD 3850.

NB: This group work programme is not appropriate for those whose behaviours include sexual offending behaviours under Singapore law.

After Care

Individual Therapy
We understand the harmful impact sex and porn addiction can have on our mental well-being, partners and families. Our team specialises in treating individuals struggling with sex or porn addiction. Among other interventions, we use AF-EMDR to help address underlying issues.

Partner Support
One of our top priorities is supporting partners in coping with betrayal trauma. We provide a compassionate space for partners to process their feelings, regain stability, and rebuild trust in their relationships. Through guided support, we help them understand and work through their complex emotions, empowering them to heal and move forward with resilience

After Care Groups
Attendees will be invited to join one of our aftercare groups on completion. Our group is a supportive, ongoing community designed for individuals who have completed a primary treatment programme. It provides a safe space to continue the recovery journey, share experiences, and develop coping strategies to maintain progress. Regular group sessions focus on accountability, goal-setting, and peer support to help members navigate challenges, build resilience, and sustain long-term personal growth and well-being.

Why Group?
The most proven method for the treatment of any addiction is conducted within the context of a group environment. It is a pragmatic, down-to-earth psycho-educational course that has been developed specifically for the treatment of sex addiction and sexually compulsive behaviours. Although the prospect of joining a group terrifies most people initially, it often proves to be the single most significant step towards life-long recovery. The reason that the group environment is so important is that it breaks through the feelings of shame and isolation that so often continue the cycle of addiction. It also provides treatment and accountability and an opportunity to rebuild self-esteem and close friendships that have so often been wrecked by addiction.

Paula Hall, John Dix & Christine Cartin (2020): The Effectiveness of Psycho- Educational Group Work in Treating Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD): Clinical Outcomes Using CORE OM and Supplement at Three-Month and Six-Month Follow up, Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity

Abstract

This paper evaluates the efficacy of treatment of 119 clients who sought help for CSBD (Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder). Using CORE OM and a tailor made supplement for CSBD, clients were evaluated at the beginning of a psycho- educational groupwork program and then again at three- month follow-up. 36 clients were evaluated a second time six- months later. The study identified, through CORE OM, that 85% of the sample were experiencing ‘clinical distress’ and 67% were at risk on intake. At three-month follow-up, there was ‘significant’ or ‘reliable’ improvement for 58% on clinical distress and 30% on risk. Compulsive sexual behaviors reduced for 97% of the sample group and 87% experienced a reduction in intrusive thoughts and feelings. However, for approximately 30% of clients, this reduction in problem symp- toms was accompanied by negligible change in clinical dis- tress and a worsening for some. A discussion is provided on why this may be and the implications of this research for treatment providers.

Research

Facilitators

Senior Clinical Associate and Programme & Research Director at Laurel Centre (UK)

Registered MBACP, COSRT, ATSAC

John Dix

John originally started with Relate in 2005 and trained as a Systemic Relationship and Family counsellor. Later, as a fully qualified Psychosexual Therapist, he was eager to specialise in working with people with sex and porn addiction. John enjoys working with couples, individuals and groups to create a safe and relaxed environment in which to explore and understand their issues in a non-judgemental way. Until 2017 John combined his therapeutic practice with a career in IT Service & Project Management but has since retired to concentrate on his client work full-time. In addition to his clinical practice, his role as Programme & Research Director for the Laurel Centre is focused on expanding our therapeutic services and helping develop the practice. In his spare time he enjoys watching rugby and live music.

Psychotherapist / Addiction Counsellor at Stillness for the Heart Counselling Centre


Masters of Counselling

Certified Sex Addiction Counsellor (Institute for Sex Addiction Training – ISAT)

Registered with SAC, COSRT, ATSAC

Oliver Ackermann

Oliver is a psychotherapeutic counsellor passionate about helping people struggling with addiction, behavioural compulsions, trauma, OCD, anxiety, and depression.

He takes a person-centred approach to therapy, which means he believes that each person has the capacity to heal themselves. He uses mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing to help his clients develop the skills they need to overcome their challenges.

Oliver is also trained and certified in attachment-focused EMDR, which emphasises a reparative therapeutic relationship using a combination of Resource Tapping to strengthen clients, EMDR to process traumas, and talk therapy to help integrate the information from EMDR sessions and provide healing derived from therapist-client interactions. Attachment-focused EMDR can be used for clients with severe early attachment trauma.

Oliver is originally from Switzerland but has lived in Singapore for the past 22 years. He is fluent in English and German and has basic communication skills in French. In his free time, he plays African drums, collects coins, and enjoys listening to music.