Porn Addiction
Counseling, Treatments & Services
Pornography addiction is marked by a compulsion to view pornography and is often accompanied by masturbation. When this behavior becomes habitual it has the potential to create stress within an individual as well as within relationships.
There are many challenges to breaking an addiction to pornography. The "Triple A" effect of accessibility, affordability, and anonymity make its use much easier than pre Internet days.
There are also persistent neural pathways created within the brain that are connected to the reward circuitry of the brain. The addicted brain wants (strongly) to get back to the reward once again.
Please know the battle is winnable, regardless how many times you may have tried and failed.
What is the Focus of Individual Therapy?
Do I Need to be in a Group?
What About Relationship Counseling?
How Long Will it Take to Heal?
What is the Focus of Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy for sex, porn, or love addiction often focuses on many different topics, Here are three examples.
- First, making appropriate application of what you are learning in group(s) to your life. Knowledge alone will not solve problem. Application of that knowledge is essential.
- Second, with the help of your therapist you will examine root issues that made you more susceptible to the use of pornography. This could be family of origin trauma, abuse, early sexualization, or any of a number of other root causes.
- Third, your therapist will work with you to limit damage in your life. This includes family, work, your sense of self, or other areas where there has been negative impact from your pornography use.
HEAL from TRAUMA
In 20+ years of doing this work I have yet to find a client who did not have some level of trauma in their past. Healing from pornography addiction demands there also be healing from trauma.
Tim Barber LPCC-S, CSAT-S
Do I Need to be in a Group?
Sex addiction has been called an "intimacy disorder." It makes sense then that one of the most powerful tools to utilize in healing is to find healthy, appropriate intimacy. Therapy groups and support groups are a great place to start.
Therapy groups are led by a counselor and the topics addressed in these groups are focused on healing of the inner person. Negative beliefs about one's self, impaired thinking patterns, trauma, dysfunctional relational dynamics are just a few of the topics covered.
Finding a place that is safe...to be honest and vulnerable, to be welcomed and accepted, to be able welcome and affirm others is an essential component of healing.
Support groups are often either peer led (such as a 12-Step group), or a psychoeducational group led by a counselor or seasoned veteran who has long term recover. This, in combination with a therapy group, is a powerful set of tools to bring to your recovery.
Trust me. Group work isn't as scary as it sounds.
What About Relationship Counseling?
For those in a committed relationship the question of when to begin relationship counseling is common. There are serval factors that come into play with regard to couple's therapy.
The readiness of the partner is a key factor. Betrayal Trauma is a real thing. Often the partner needs individual treatment before beginning couple's therapy.
The readiness of the person with the addiction must also be considered. Naturally, most people want to "get back to normal" as soon as possible. The problem is, it was your "normal" that got you into trouble. Understanding the need for boundaries, developing empathy, and providing support are just a few of the tasks ahead of the person in recovery.
The therapists at Counseling Alliance LLC are sensitive to these, and many other issues, related to when to begin couple's therapy. We have traveled this path with many couple's.
Be sure to check out the section of disclosure for information that can save you and your partner much heartache.
There is hope for a happier you.
This is true for you as a person who struggles with addiction
as well as for those of you who are partners.
Trust the process.
Healing and lasting health can be yours.
How Long Will it Take to Heal?
Let's admit it, many people don't like the answer to this question. We're a culture who expects instant gratification, quick fixes, even instant credit.
We are talking here about deep and lasting change. Not a Band-Aid. Dr. Carnes and others say the healing journey is 2 - 5 years. That doesn't mean you will have to be in therapy every week for 5 years. It does mean you have a lot of work to do. New, healthy neuro-pathways must be established. New ways of thinking about how sex functions in your life must be adopted. Healing from the hurts of the past to enable you AND your partner to achieve authentic and secure attachment is essential. And, unfortunately, none of these tasks happen quickly.
The good news is that we have been at this long enough to have seen many couples find the healing they are longing for. Like sobriety, healing comes one day at a time. trust the process.