Testimonials
Joel has been a tremendous blessing in my life, my husband’s, and to our marriage. Over the past six months, we have been working with Joel together as a couple and individually. In that time, we have identified how intimacy anorexia and sexual addiction have impacted our lives, actions, decisions, and relationships.
I’ve been working with Joel for several months now and I can say that I have finally had my eyes opened to the destructive behaviors of the sex addict that I’m married to. For years I have felt so crazy and so alone in my marriage but with the help of Joel I’ve been able to identify the issues of my spouse along with working on my own issues.
When I first started with Joel at Restoring Hearts, I was in an extremely emotionally distraught place in my life. Having worked through personal trauma up to this point in a variety of ways – medications, talk therapy, groups, and on my own – I had reached another plateau of confusion. A familiar question arose for me: “Why does this (situation, behavior, emotional distress) keep happening?” Read More
Is Your Spouse Cold… Distant…. Disconnected…
Do You Feel Unwanted, Unloved & Ignored
Depressed…Betrayed…Hopeless…
Are you in pain from your spouse’s sexual behaviors or Intimacy Anorexia?
Meet Joel
My name is Joel Karsjens. I live in Austin, Minnesota, otherwise known as “Spamtown,
USA”. I have four children – three daughters and one son. I grew up a country boy between
the little Minnesota towns of Clarks Grove and Hollandale. I enjoyed the rural life – dirt
bikes, snowmobiles, and waking up to the sights and sounds of deer and cattle and birds.
At different times of my life, we had a horse, cows, dogs, cats, and even tried our hand at
raising chickens that we thought would willingly come to us to be butchered. It didn’t work
out that way!! It may have had something to do with the fact that they had 20 acres of
woods to roam on!! Today, I have quick access to the biking/hiking trail here in Austin that
leads not only all over town but also all-over southern Minnesota. The Cedar River and
scenic woods line the trail, and I often see deer, otters, eagles, geese, and lots of
songbirds. I love my church family. I also enjoy golfing, riding bike, walking, and anything
around water.
I started Restoring Hearts Coaching Services because I saw a need in our churches and
communities for men, women, and couples to live free from the effects of sex addiction,
intimacy anorexia, and partner trauma. I know firsthand, through my own recovery, the
repercussions these issues can have on someone’s life and family. The negative statistics
in and out of the church are incredibly sad. I am committed to equipping individuals and
couples to live a life that is beyond the statistics. A life of freedom to trust, to love and to bе
loved!!
I received my recovery coaching certification through The Addictions Academy. After
completing my master’s level training and supervision through the American Association
for Sex Addiction Therapy – I am Certified as a Sexual Recovery Coach (SRC), Intimacy
Anorexia Coach (IAC), Partners Recovery Coach (PRC), and Partners Betrayal Trauma
Coach (PBTC). I am also certified through Pure Life Academy for Inner Child Recovery
Therapy (ICRT).