Pornography / Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Many people would argue that pornography viewing and other compulsive sexual behavior is normal, free of consequences and even healthy. In contrast to this, hundreds of individuals and couples come to us every year desiring to decrease or eliminate the use of pornography and other behaviors as they have found them detrimental to their lives and relationships. What may have started out as infrequent and seemingly harmless use has now become a destructive addiction that is not relationship enhancing.  Here are common symptoms that indicate an addiction is developing as a result of compulsive sexual behavior:

• secrecy/ hiding of the behavior which results in a loss of trust and conflict in the relationship
• decreased ability to be aroused by one’s partner or disappointment in a partner because of comparisons
• chronic preoccupation with the behavior that gets in the way of personal goals
• shame and guilt subsequent to the behavior or a clear sense one is at odds with their own spiritual and faith convictions
• behaviors that may be increasingly risky or costly, including negative impact on finances, relationships, health, occupation or legal consequences
• partner feeling devalued by the behavior leading to distrust, conflict or breakups

If you are experiencing negative consequences like these, as a result of pornography use or addiction to other sexual behavior, we invite you to come in for a confidential and thoughtful review of your situation.