Mending The Armor helps therapists grow their practice by offering programs for treating Pornography Addiction

Because of the sexualization of our culture, the ease of access to explicit media and the potency of today's pornography, more and more people are seeking help for addiction to pornography.  Unfortunately, pornography addiction is a problem that has become a major factor in the destruction of marriages and families.  It is anticipated that the need for effective treatment for those addicted will significantly increase in the years to come.

The Mending The Armor program provides therapists with a formal structured approach to working with individuals struggling with pornography addiction.  The program provides separate tracks for teens, young single adults and married adults. 

The program utilizes the Breaking Free workbook which is a curriculum that provides clients with a step by step, structured approach to learning to manage the addiction.  There are versions of this workbook uniquely designed for teens, young single adults, and married adults.  

Therapists in the Mending The Armor network are provided an initial comprehensive training to become qualified to provide treatment.  Additionally, each month, therapists receive a one hour CEU training to continue to grow their knowledge and skill in the area of pornography addiction treatment.  Mending The Armor providers can earn up to 16 CEU credits annually. 

The Mending The Armor program is set up to be easily implemented into any already existing outpatient counseling clinic and is currently being provided in 18 office locations around the United States.

To learn more about the Mending The Armor program and becoming a provider follow the link below or call 800.584.4629.

Learn more about becoming a provider.

Three misconceptions about pornography addiction and LDS youth that intefere with recovery

As part of our efforts to spread the Mending The Armor program, we have had the chance to visit with many parents, church leaders, therapists and youth from various parts of the country on the topic of pornography addiction among LDS youth and young adults.  Based on these conversations, it seems clear that many youth and young adults struggling with the addiction, but we have been surprised by how few actually seek professional treatment for dealing with the addiction.  Here are three misconceptions that we believe explain this:

1.          Yes, it’s a problem………….but is professional intervention really needed?

Too often, the chronic use of pornography by youth is not viewed as an addiction, but rather just a bad habit.   The word “addiction” is strong and there is hesitancy on the part of parents, church leaders and youth to accept that an addiction exists.  Because of shame and embarrassment, youth may minimize or downplay the extent of the problem.  As a result, parents and church leaders are often not fully aware of the depth of the issue resulting in the conclusion that professional help is not necessary.   The unfortunate reality of pornography addiction is that most are unable to break free on their own without help.

2.          “You just need to try harder.”

Overcoming an addiction to pornography can be very difficult.  Too often, those not familiar with the strength of the addiction simplify the process and expect that more desire and more willpower should result in terminating the addiction.  It is hard for those not familiar with addiction to comprehend why some youth continue to relapse into viewing pornography despite every intention to remain abstinent.  While increased commitment and effort are vital to overcoming the addiction, we need to empower our youth with every possible tool for learning to manage the addiction including spiritual support, emotional support, internet accountability and professional intervention.  In fighting pornography addiction, there is no such thing as too much intervention. 

3.          A few months abstinence equals recovery.

Some addicted youth are able to refrain from viewing pornography for several weeks and even months using willpower.  In some cases, young adults serve missions and refrain from viewing pornography for two years only to return home and fall back into the addiction. While this shows a strong effort on their part, too often youth who have not participated in treatment will eventually relapse back into viewing pornography.  It is important for youth, parents and church leaders to recognize the need for those who have been addicted to have the opportunity to analyze and explore the nature of the addiction including the underlying emotional and psychological issues that lead to the formation of the addiction.  Too often, a few months abstinence is misinterpreted as the problem being resolved and thus, no need for participation in professional treatment.

een Pornography Addiction Treatment now available in San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington.

Mending The Armor is now available in San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington!  We are excited to announce the addition of two new locations to the network and two highly skilled clinicians.

Cindi Christiansen , LMFT has joined the network and is a provider in San Diego.  Cindi has worked in the mental health arena for the last 16 years, with the last 8 years being involved with crisis intervention in the dually diagnosed community.  She has worked extensively with substance abuse, addictions (specifically pornography and sex addictions) and mood disorders.  She also has worked in the areas of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and personality disorders.   Her private practice is currently taking appointments for Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, and has evening appointments available.   She has worked extensively with adolescents and children.  Her practice accepts most major insurances, credit cards and she works on a sliding scale with my cash clients.  In addition to being licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist, she is also a fifth year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology.  She comes to the profession with a wealth of life experience, having successfully raised four children nearly all on her own as a working single mother.

Dave Perry, LMHC has joined the network as a provider in the greater Seattle area.  Dave earned a Bachelor Degree from BYU and a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology from City College of Seattle.  Prior to becoming a therapist, Dave was a successful businessman.  Dave has expertise in sexual addiction, depression, anxiety and marital counseling.  He is married to his high school sweetheart and together they have five children and nine grandchildren.

These programs are available to youth and families in the following areas:

Utah:

 St. George, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, LaVerkin, Toquerville, Virgin, New Harmony h, Springdale, Washington Utah, Hildale, Leeds, Mesquite Nevada, Colorado City Arizona, Beaver, Minersville, Milford , Garfield County

California:

Valencia, Newhall, Santa Clarita, Castaic, Northridge, San Fernando, Mission Hills, Granada Hills California, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Case Conejo, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Calabasas, Malibu, Oxnard, Ventura, Moorpark, Chatsworth, Santa Monica, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Jolla, Lemon Grove, Paradise Hills, National City, Santee, Spring Valley, Sierra Mesa, Del Cerro, San Carlos, Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Torrey Pines,  Encanto, North Park, Poway, San Diego

Washington:

Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Renton,  Federal Way, Tacoma, Lakewood, Lacey, Olympia, Everett, Lynnwood, Kent, Woodinville, Shoreline, Shorewood, Puyallup, South Hill, Kirkland, Ballard, Issaquah, Northbend, Snoqualmie, Sammamish.