CASTIMONIA

Sexual Purity Support & Recovery Group

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NEW STEP GROUP – Starting in May

Our founder, Jorge, will be leading his eighth step study group starting in May.

The group lasts for about 12 months and you will go through all the steps including the pre-step and post-step work in the Castimonia book. 

They will meet every week on Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 9:55am before the 10am Saturday Castimonia meeting in Katy. There is no cost to join the group but you must purchase a copy of the Castimonia book.  Out of town guests will be able to use Zoom to join the group if they cannot attend in person. Houston-area members will need to attend in person.

This group takes a strong, long term commitment and is great for those ready to work the steps and have the Lord change their lives.

Please have any interested individuals contact Jorge at jorge@castimonia.org.

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Dealing with “Stuckness”. How to Move from Awareness to Action

Originally posted at: https://theonlinetherapist.blog/dealing-with-stuckness-how-to-move-from-awareness-to-action/

By Dr. Nicholas Jenner

If you are like me, sometimes you get stuck and there seems no way forward. You know the right thing to do, how to do it but it just doesn’t work. No matter how much awareness you might gain or encouragement comes from others, you stay “stuck”, convincing yourself that you “can’t” do it.

As humans, we are able to somewhat predict the future, not accurately, but enough to make us anxious about what is about to happen. It is often a case of “better the devil you know” than take any form of risk. This is often consolidated by the grey matter between our ears, often described as the “inner dictator”, that processes all our fearful thoughts into a protective, cautious stance. Of course, if we decided to feed more definite, more positive thoughts into our brain, it may process them too.

It is true that many people feel stuck in their lives. I come across them daily. People who want to change their lives, relationships and even location, without moving forward at all. They talk a lot about it, inform themselves and then do absolutely nothing, or procrastinate while making excuses. So why is this? Why can’t we easily act on our plans or move ourselves forward when we want to, or know that we have to?

The inability to move on is rarely about laziness or the lack of will. More often, it’s about the past and what’s bubbling under the surface. This could be due to unresolved trauma, grief or a series of painful relationships that have left their mark. The mind continues to circle back to these stories. What this produces is fear.

Making changes in your life means, primarily, stepping into uncertainty. For some people, experiencing familiar pain is easier than the unfamiliar alternative. The past often defines us in our minds and if our identity has been defined by past events, it’s hard to imagine life without it can feel threatening, however positive the change is. Additionally to this, many fall into learned helplessness. After trying and things not working, it’s easier to believe it never will.

The unfortunate truth is that no amount of replaying the past with “what ifs” or “if only” statements will change what has happened. Our brains often replay past events to make sense of them, but the result is rumination and a fixation on “can’t do”. What is needed is a conscious decision to stop dragging the past into today.

So what can we do? The first step is acknowledging that things the protection measures we’ve employed in the past didn’t work for us. This might be difficult as there is much comfort to be had from a familiar story, even when it’s a hurtful one. Still, until the reality is faced that holding on to these stories wont bring any kind of resolution, a feeling of being stuck will prevail.

Start with small, manageable, easy to attain first steps. There is always a temptation to change everything quickly, with one big sweep of the brush, once awareness is found. However, big changes can be often overwhelming and can halt the process. Small actions tend to build momentum and that becomes real change. Changing the story that we often tell ourselves is crucial. An example would be shifting a statement like “this is what happened to me and it makes me who I am,” to “this shaped me, but I am more than that.” That simple reframe opens space for freedom to change.

This can be consolidated with daily routines such as walking, journalling, self-care and support from an accountability partner like a therapist, coach or trusted friend who will reflect patterns back at you gently. This makes it harder to stay trapped in them.

A useful exercise is to write down three areas where you feel stuck. For each, ask two questions: What am I afraid will happen if I change? And what am I afraid will happen if I don’t? The answers usually reveal that staying stuck carries the greater risk. You can also try writing a letter to your “past self,” acknowledging what you’ve been through and then gently telling that version of you it’s time to move forward. Another helpful practice is to set a small daily action in each area—something so small it feels almost too easy. This creates momentum. Visualizing your “unstuck” self can also be powerful, picture how you would think, feel, and behave if you were free of old patterns, and then write down one step you can take today to align with that version. Finally, keep a “forward journal,” where you record only what you’re doing now and what’s ahead, training your mind to look forward instead of back.

Growth is rarely quick or easy, but it is always possible. Patience and kindness toward yourself are essential. Criticizing yourself for being stuck only deepens the hole. Compassion and persistence, one step at a time, are what eventually turn paralysis into movement.

Dr. Nicholas Jenner, a therapist, coach, and speaker, has over 20 years of experience in the field of therapy and coaching. His specialty lies in treating codependency, a condition that is often characterized by a compulsive dependence on a partner, friend, or family member for emotional or psychological sustenance. Dr. Jenner’s approach to treating codependency involves using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a treatment method that has gained widespread popularity in recent years. He identifies the underlying causes of codependent behavior by exploring his patients’ internal “parts,” or their different emotional states, to develop strategies to break free from it. Dr. Jenner has authored numerous works on the topic and offers online therapy services to assist individuals in developing healthy relationships and achieving emotional independence.

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Stereotypes: Self-worth Killers

Originally posted at: https://sexuallypuremen.beehiiv.com/p/stereotypes-self-worth-killers

The following is an article written by a dear friend and colleague Steve Lynott. He is a brilliant individual and always produces thought-provoking content. Here he explains the danger of allowing negative noise run amok in our heads.

Life is a journey marked by both triumphs and trials — moments of deep joy and seasons of profound struggle. Across that journey, one of the most important skills we can develop is the ability to grow, adapt, and evolve in the face of changing circumstances. Yet one of the greatest barriers to that growth is often invisible: the stories we carry about ourselves.

These stories — shaped by culture, family, religion, peers, and personal experience — define what we believe is possible. They influence how we interpret success and failure, how we respond to challenges, and how we envision our future. Sometimes these narratives empower us. But often, they limit us, quietly shaping our choices and expectations in ways we don’t even notice.

Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as stereotype embodiment: the process by which we internalize societal beliefs about who we are and then unconsciously live according to them (Levy, 2009). These beliefs can either keep us stuck or propel us forward. Recognizing and reshaping them is a crucial step in building resilience, navigating adversity, and living with greater purpose and freedom.

Dr. Eddie Capparucci, a leading voice in the field of emotional and behavioral healing, often interrupts clients when they introduce themselves as “addicts.” Instead, he invites them to use a different language: “You may no longer refer to yourself that way — you are a beloved child of God, a prince of the King.” This small but profound shift illustrates the critical importance of how we define ourselves and the narratives we internalize. Language is not merely descriptive; it shapes identity, influences self-worth, and either reinforces or dismantles shame. For many who are awakening from the trance states of addiction or destructive habits, self-loathing becomes a deeply ingrained reflex. Stereotypes such as “I’m broken,” “I’m unworthy,” or “I’ll never change” entrench that shame, often sabotaging the possibility of genuine healing and growth. Reframing identity — seeing oneself as worthy, valued, and capable — is therefore not just an act of self-compassion; it is a foundational step in the journey from shame to love, and from limitation to transformation.

Stereotype Embodiment: How Beliefs Become Destiny

Stereotype embodiment theory, developed by psychologist Becca Levy and others, explains how societal messages about groups — whether about gender, age, intelligence, success, or ability — become deeply woven into our sense of self. Once internalized, these stereotypes shape how we think, feel, act, and even how our bodies function. They operate through three interconnected pathways:

Psychological Pathway – The beliefs we hold shape our internal dialogue and self-perception. If we internalize the stereotype that “people like me never succeed” or “I’m not good with change,” we begin to act as if those statements are true. We interpret setbacks as confirmation of our limitations rather than opportunities for growth. This self-concept shapes how much effort we invest in new challenges and how we respond when things go wrong.

Behavioral Pathway – Beliefs drive behavior. Someone who views struggle as evidence of inadequacy might withdraw, give up, or stop trying altogether. In contrast, a person who believes they are capable of learning and adapting is more likely to take proactive steps — seeking mentorship, practicing new skills, or pursuing opportunities for growth — even in the face of setbacks.

Physiological Pathway – The power of beliefs extends beyond thoughts and actions. They also shape our biology. Internalized stereotypes can trigger chronic stress, elevate cortisol, weaken the immune system, and even change how the brain functions. Over time, these physiological effects accumulate, influencing everything from cognitive health to cardiovascular resilience (Levy et al., 2002; Levy et al., 2016).

Lessons from Aging: A Case Study in Belief and Biology

Some of the clearest evidence of stereotype embodiment comes from research on ageing. For decades, scientists have explored how our attitudes toward getting older shape our physical and mental well-being — and the results are striking.

In one landmark study, Levy and colleagues (2002) found that people with positive perceptions of ageing lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with negative views, even after controlling for income, health status, and social factors. Optimistic beliefs predicted better memory, lower cardiovascular risk, and reduced incidence of dementia decades later (Levy et al., 2009; Levy et al., 2016).

The mechanism is clear: people who view ageing as a period of opportunity tend to stay active, pursue meaningful goals, and engage socially. They also exhibit lower cortisol levels and less inflammation, biological changes that protect the brain and body. Those who see ageing as inevitable decline, however, are more likely to withdraw, neglect their health, and experience chronic stress — creating a self-fulfilling cycle of deterioration.

This same dynamic operates in many areas of life. Whether we are pursuing a new career, healing from loss, rebuilding relationships, or striving to become a more grounded, compassionate version of ourselves, the stories we believe about our potential become powerful determinants of what we achieve.

Rewriting Limiting Narratives

The encouraging truth is that these internalized stories are not permanent. They can be questioned, challenged, and rewritten — and when they are, the results ripple outward into every aspect of life.

The process begins with awareness: noticing the assumptions and stereotypes that shape our self-concept. These might include beliefs like “I’m too old to change careers,” “I’m not a leader,” or “I always fall apart under pressure.” Many of these narratives are inherited — passed down from family, culture, or past experiences — rather than consciously chosen.

These limiting narratives also show up powerfully in the context of overcoming deeply ingrained patterns such as alcohol or drug dependence, compulsive pornography use, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People navigating these challenges often internalize stereotypes like:

  •   “Once an addict, always an addict.”
  •   “I’m too damaged to ever have a healthy relationship.”
  •   “People with OCD are just ‘crazy’ — I’ll never be normal.”
  •   “I’ll never be able to live without this coping mechanism.”

Each of these beliefs, when internalized, functions like a script — shaping behavior, emotional responses, and even physiological stress patterns. Someone who believes they are destined to relapse might approach change half-heartedly or give up after one setback. A person convinced they are “broken” because of OCD might avoid therapy or resist trying new coping strategies. These narratives don’t simply reflect a struggle — they reinforce and perpetuate it.

The next step is reframing. This involves challenging the validity of limiting beliefs and replacing them with fuller, more empowering truths. For example:

  • “Once an addict, always an addict” can become “I have struggled in the past, but I have the capacity to learn, heal, and grow.”
  • “I’m broken because of my OCD” might become “My mind works differently, but I can learn tools to manage it and live a fulfilling life.”
  • “I’ll always need this behavior to cope” could shift to “I can develop healthier ways to meet my needs and build resilience.”

Finally, rewriting the story requires integration: aligning our daily choices with the new narrative. This may mean pursuing therapy, seeking accountability, practicing self-compassion, developing new habits, or surrounding ourselves with people who reinforce our growth-oriented identity. Over time, each decision we make in alignment with the new story strengthens that identity — until it becomes not just what we believe, but who we are.

Conclusion

The stories we internalize shape the way we interpret our lives, respond to challenges, and envision our future. They influence our motivation, our health, our relationships, and even our longevity. As research on stereotype embodiment and aging demonstrates, beliefs are not just reflections of reality, they are active forces that create it.

Learning to recognize and rewrite these stories is one of the most important skills for navigating life’s inevitable ups and downs. When we change the way we see ourselves, we change how we act. When we change how we act, we change the outcomes we experience. And when we change those outcomes, we open the door to growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose — no matter what season of life we’re in.

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How to Quit Video Game, Pornography & Social Media Addiction | Dr. Andrew Huberman

In this clip, Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses how to quit video games, pornography, and social media addictions. He discusses how these addictions develop practically and neurochemically, particularly the role of dopamine.

Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.

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Demonstrating Emotional Leadership in the Face of Betrayal Trauma

Originally posted at: https://sexuallypuremen.beehiiv.com/p/demonstrating-emotional-leadership-in-the-face-of-betrayal-trauma

By Dr. Eddie Capparucci. LPC, CSAS

Note: I understand women also betray their partners but for the sake of not bouncing back and forward with pronouns I will often refer to betraying partners as men.

Let me start with a hard truth.

When betraying partners are discovered, the greatest challenge they face is not stopping the problematic sexual behaviors. It is learning to stay emotionally present after the damage has been done.

Betraying partners do not expect to be put in this position after their mess is discovered. They think the work is about becoming and maintaining sobriety. They are sadly mistaken. Sobriety is necessary—but it is not sufficient.

What ultimately determines whether a betrayed partner will heal and the marriage will be renewed depends on whether these men can emotionally lead in the presence of their partners’ horrible pain.

And here is the issue. For many men sitting with emotional discomfort is unfamiliar territory. In fact, their inability to tolerate emotional distress is often one of the primary reasons they used sexual behaviors to regulate themselves in the first place.

Now, at the height of experiencing the greatest emotional distress they most likely have ever faced, we tell these men to lean in, validate, don’t be defensive, stay emotionally regulated, be curious, and demonstrate empathy. Empathy. Most of them were never taught how to access it, let alone express it.

Understanding Not Excuses

Now, do not mistake this for sympathy or an invitation to lower the bar on these men. It is neither. I am not asking that we go easier on these individuals. Again, I repeat—I am not.

My heart goes out to those they harmed, because I also harmed. I raise this topic because we must set realistic expectations about their emotional development—both what is possible and the timeframe in which it occurs. Hopefully, this will reduce some of the frustration for many women who are seeking comfort that never comes.

Within several months of discovery some women, therapists, and coaches are upset that betraying partners are not consistently implementing the wonderful practices designed by clinicians like Carol Sheets.

A betraying partner cannot give emotional connection if he does not possess it. Emotional capacity must be developed—and that process does not happen overnight. In my practice, I have found it takes approximately two years for many men to develop consistent emotional connection with themselves.

We must set expectations accordingly to reduce unnecessary disappointment when these individuals fail to demonstrate the emotional skills many want to see immediately.

Our objective is not to create surface-level emotional compliance. It is to develop Emotional Leadership—so empathy and attunement become authentic, not performative. We do not seek to cover up their emotional deficiencies with a Band-Aid that will leak.  

So, what is Emotional Leadership? I will explain that in a moment. But first we must understand the obstacles of achieving it.

You cannot establish Emotional Leadership if you cannot regulate yourself. If your partner’s pain hijacks you, or her anger overwhelms you, then you are not emotionally regulated. If you allow her grief to trigger your shame, you will emotionally collapse rather than lead.

These reactions signal that your attention has shifted away from your partner’s pain and back onto your own discomfort. You are no longer facing the damage you caused—you are trying to escape it.

And here’s the irony: she wishes it would all go away too.

Many of these men are emotionally underdeveloped. They became stuck in early stages of emotional development, leaving them governed by fear that blocks intimacy, empathy, bonding, and attunement.

What Emotional Leadership is Not

What is needed? Emotional Leadership. But what is it? Let us start by discussing what it is not. Emotional Leadership is not:

  • Controlling the conversation
  • Convincing her to calm down
  • Managing her reactions
  • Seeking validation for your progress

If that is what you are doing – and for many it is – you are not demonstrating Emotional Leadership. You are protecting yourself, just as you have all your life. But here self-protection does not create safety. It creates distance—and deepens the wound.

Emotional Leadership has nothing to do with winning, fixing, manipulating, or persuading. It has everything to do with how you handle emotional distress when things become uncomfortable. And betrayal trauma is, by definition, uncomfortable.

When your betrayed partner grieves—cries, accuses, questions, escalates, or revisits the past—it overwhelms your autonomic nervous system.

Danger Will Robertson. Danger. (If you were born after 1975 you have no idea what I just wrote about.)

When the nervous system is flooded, what happens next is predictable:

They shut down.
They defend.
They minimize.
They argue facts.
They try to calm the storm instead of standing in it.

Their attention has shifted—from the injured partner to themselves. That is not Emotional Leadership. That is emotional retreat. And their partner feels that immediately.

What Emotional Leadership Is

Emotional Leadership begins with one demanding commitment:

“I will emotionally and mentally manage myself so I can stay present with my partner’s pain.”

Not fix it.

Not stopping it.

Not defend yourself.

Just staying present.

Emotionally mature men do not interpret escalation as danger. They recognize it as grief. They understand their partner is not the enemy—disconnection is. So instead of withdrawing, they lean in—regulated, grounded, and steady. Not robotic. Not cold. Present.

They listen. They ask clarifying questions. They seek understanding—not absolution.

When you stay emotionally regulated in the presence of her pain, you send powerful messages without saying much.

You say:

  • “I can handle your difficult emotions.”
  • “I’m not fragile.”
  • “I can handle the reality of what I caused.”
  • “You don’t have to minimize your pain to protect me.”
  • “I am here for you.”

For a betrayed partner, that is safety. And safety—not explanations—is what their nervous system is seeking to regulate.

Need to Be Right

Here is another obstacle when it comes to demonstrating Emotional Leadership, and that is a man’s need to be right.

When accusations surface—especially ones that feel unfair or inaccurate—most feel an irresistible pull to correct the record.

They think, “If I can just explain this properly, she’ll calm down.”

But once they start explaining, what their partner experiences is something very different. They see an individual more invested in defending their image than acknowledging her pain.

Here is the truth betraying partners need to hear. You can be factually correct and emotionally absent at the same time. And that is not a good thing. In fact, that is the hill many relationships die on.

Demonstrating Emotional Leadership means you prioritize your partner’s experience before you need to explain yourself.

This does not mean the truth never matters. It means timing matters more in moments of distress.

An Emotional Leadership response sounds less like defense and more like humility. It sounds like:

·      “I understand why your mind goes there, given what I’ve done.”

·      “Your fear makes sense.”

·      “I’m not here to argue with your pain.”

Only after that foundation is made through validation do you ask permission to clarify. Yes, you ask permission.

For example, “Your fear makes sense. I do however have some additional information that could change the way you are viewing the current situation. May I share it with you?”

And if they say no?

You don’t push. You don’t plead. You don’t sulk. Instead, you simply acknowledge their wish. “It’s not a problem, if you change your mind, please let me know.”

And then you wait. And you return later—with the same steadiness. Because demonstrating Emotional Leadership is not a one-time performance. It is consistency over time.

You go back the next day and ask once again if you can share your information. If you are rejected, go back the next day and try again.

Conflict and Containment

I often hear clients say, “We got into a huge fight.” I stop them right there. A fight requires two combatants. Why would someone who has already wounded his partner feel the need to fight with them?

That is not Emotional Leadership. That is ego protection.

Emotional Leadership means knowing when to pause. If a betrayed partner is contemptuous, throws things, hits, then the betraying partner as a sign of Emotional Leadership calmly announces the discussion is finished for the time being. You will not stay, get escalated and start fighting with your hurting partner. The person you crushed does not deserve to have you argue with them.

You do not storm off. You do not shut down. You do not punish with silence. You lead a therapeutic pause. You also announce you will return in a short time to see if the dialogue can continue in a safe manner.

A woman asked on my webinar “why should he get the luxury of taking a timeout?” Well, first it is not a luxury. It is a necessity if you do not want him to get emotionally dysregulated and either intensify or collapse. That time out is beneficial for both parties involved.

Emotional Leadership is Authentic

Let me say this clearly. Demonstrating Emotional Leadership is not a script. It is not a strategy. It is not something you perform to get a result.

It is driven by an individual who is no longer ruled by emotional fear. A person who is anchored in integrity, humility, and growth. Someone who is emotionally mature and transforming.

We do not lean in because it works. We lean in because this is who we are becoming.

Betrayal creates emotional storms. But storms do not require panic. They require steadiness.

When you can stay present, regulated, and grounded in the face of your partner’s pain, something profound happens. Their nervous system softens. Trust begins to slowly be rebuilt. And healing becomes possible.

Not because you persuaded them. But because you showed them—again and again—that you are safe.

That is demonstrating Emotional Leadership.

If you struggle with to emotional regulation, you can receive a free copy of regulation techniques by emailing me at innerchildmodel@gmail.com.