CC17 Workshop 09 - When Porn is an Issue: Couples Counseling & Psychotherapy that Works - Marty Klein, PhD

CC17 Workshop 09 - When Porn is an Issue: Couples Counseling & Psychotherapy that Works - Marty Klein, PhD

We’re seeing more and more couples in conflict over one partner’s use of porn. But pathologizing one partner’s porn use while legitimizing the grievances of the consumer’s partner violates our commitment to neutrality—and more importantly, it doesn’t help the couple. To address porn-related issues more effectively, this workshop will focus on treating intrapsychic conflicts and power struggles over porn use. We’ll explore how conflict about pornography is often used to avoid confronting a sexual relationship’s deficits; how one or both partners may be acting out body image issues; and why “porn addiction” is not a helpful concept.

Educational Objectives:

● Identify common assumptions of therapists about porn, and to self-assess regarding these assumptions

● Demonstrate learning of how to help couples discuss the relationship deficits that they’re avoiding via conflict about porn                        

● Demonstrate learning of the limitations of the porn addiction model—and learn how to help people with a powerful alternative model