What makes Matthew Piciulo with Mountain Hope Counseling/Ballistic Faith Brotherhood a good neighbor?  

Sexual integrity in marriages is a topic often shrouded in shame and misconception. In a recent Good Neighbor Podcast episode, host Tony Hills welcomed Matthew Piciulo from Mountain Hope Counseling/Ballistic Faith Brotherhood to shed light on this critical issue affecting countless relationships. As a psychotherapist and pastoral counselor based in Colorado, Matthew specializes in helping marriages that have been compromised by pornography, infidelity, and other challenges to sexual integrity.

Matthew's approach to marriage counseling comes from a deeply personal place. He candidly shared how his own marriage experienced significant turmoil due to his "misgivings" and covenant-breaking behaviors. This personal journey through healing and restoration became the foundation for his counseling practice. Rather than coming from a purely academic background, Matthew brings the authentic perspective of someone who has walked through the fire himself and emerged with a restored marriage. This experience allows him to connect with clients on a profound level, offering not just professional guidance but empathetic understanding born from personal struggle.

One of the most compelling segments of the interview addressed the widespread misconceptions about sexual addiction. Matthew emphasized the vast difference between sexual addiction and sexual offending, noting they are "two completely different animals." This distinction is crucial, as it helps destigmatize those seeking help. He shared startling statistics: over 70% of men in churches and 42% of pastors struggle with these issues, according to a survey of 55,000 Christian churches. Perhaps most alarming is that the average age of exposure to adult materials for males in the United States is between seven and nine years old. These statistics highlight that these issues aren't about moral deviance but rather deep-rooted neurochemical, spiritual, and relational challenges that often begin in childhood.

Matthew's client base is impressively diverse and extensive. He works with approximately 1,500 men weekly from 23 different countries who are seeking freedom from sexual addiction and intimacy issues. His marketing strategy targets divorce attorneys who encounter couples in crisis, therapists without specialized training in this area, men's ministries, and church networks. Matthew's practice extends beyond traditional geographical limitations through teleconference groups, allowing him to reach people across state lines and internationally. This global reach underscores both the universality of these marital challenges and the need for specialized support like what Matthew provides.

The interview also touched on Matthew's personal history of overcoming trauma. He disclosed being a victim of violent trauma and sexual abuse in his childhood, experiences that were minimized because his abuser was female. Matthew believes these early traumas contributed to his later addictions and brokenness. However, through his faith journey, he discovered that his worth isn't defined by his past or his struggles but by his relationship with God. This perspective now informs his therapeutic approach, helping clients separate their identity from their behaviors and find healing through a spiritual framework that emphasizes redemption and restoration rather than shame and condemnation.

What makes Matthew's counseling approach distinctive is his focus on representing the marriage as a whole rather than taking sides between spouses. He views the healing process as a journey of "we" rather than separate journeys of individuals. This approach addresses both the addiction issues and the partner betrayal trauma simultaneously, creating a path for genuine reconciliation. Matthew operates from a Christian perspective, believing there are "certain inalienable callings" that guide couples through healing as a unified entity. This holistic, spiritually-grounded methodology offers hope to couples who might otherwise believe their relationship is beyond repair after experiencing betrayal or broken trust.

To learn more about Mountain Hope Counseling/Ballistic Faith Brotherhood go to: 

https://www.mountainhopecounseling.com/

Mountain Hope Counseling/Ballistic Faith Brotherhood

719-433-3831