Mending The Armor is pleased to announce that the program is now available in Logan, Utah and the surrounding areas including: Richmond, Smithfield, Hyde Park, North Logan, Mendon, Providence, River Heights, Millville, Nibley, Hyrum, Wellsville, Paradise, Garden City Austin Wood, LMFT has joined the network and is providing this service in his office in Logan. Austin received his master’s degree from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Utah State University in 2002. He also has a B.S. in Family and Human Development with a minor in Family Finance. Austin has worked in a variety of helping services including providing individual therapy and marriage counseling along with group therapy at LDS Family Services. He and his wife worked as Shelter Managers for CAPSA gaining insight into domestic violence issues. He has been a therapist and program manager for a residential treatment facility providing therapy for troubled adolescents and their families. His presentations on pornography and its impact on relationships, along with counseling individuals who struggle with sex addiction, has allowed Austin valuable experience in helping individuals overcome this destructive habit. Austin has a non-judgemental approach and a listening ear. These attributes, combined with his 10+ years experience, qualify Austin to work with you as your Marriage and Family Therapist.
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Mending The Armor News: Providing the latest news, information and research in the area of pornography addiction treatment for teens and young adults.
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.
The pillars of a successful recovery for teen pornography addiction
A strong recovery plan is vital for teens striving to conquer pornography addiction. Because of the support and accountability provided by the treatment, many youth are able to keep their addiction in check during the time they are in treatment. The difficulty lies in the months and years following completion of treatment. One of the most important parts of the treatment process is the creation of a viable recovery plan.
Youth in the program are asked to consider the example of a building being able to endure and withstand the elements over time needs to be built with a strong support system. Many buildings are designed with pillars that bear the weight of the main structure of the building. These pillars have to be strong and firm. If one or more of the pillars is flawed or weak, then the building will not stand, but will eventually crumble. The four pillars that make up a successful recovery plan for teen pornography addiction are: Support, Success, Accountability and Insight. Youth are taught that in order remain abstinent from sexual addictions in the future, they need to develop these four pillars in their lives.
Significant time in the treatment process is spent assisting teens in building each of these four pillars. Youth in the program successfully complete treatment only when they have been able to put together a recovery plan that includes each of the four pillars. Youth then complete their treatment with a formal, structured plan for their recovery which can guide them well beyond their time in the program.
Treating Pornography Addiction among Teens–Preventing a lifetime of future problems
In the field of substance abuse treatment, marijuana is often referred to as the “gateway” drug as many who become addicted to harder drugs first started with using marijuana as teens and then progressed into more illicit substances.
In the same way, pornography is the “gateway” to a multitude of relationship and sexual behavior problems that can destroy the promise of bright futures for youth. Men who are addicted to pornography are not able to effectively function as husbands and fathers. Without healthy husbands and fathers, our society will not thrive. Our future hinges on young men who can become healthy, functioning husbands and fathers. We need youth who can become men of integrity.
Helping young people learn to manage and overcome addiction to pornography is among the most important work in the field of youth treatment today. In this work, we are helping to form youth who can become quality husbands and fathers who are free from sexual addiction.
Too many youth become addicted to pornography and carry this problem into adulthood where is prevents the formation of healthy relationships and often leads to infidelity, divorce, emotional problems and legal issues. The key is to preventing this all too often occurrence is to catch it early.
We are looking for therapists who want to make a difference. See the video on the benefits of becoming a provider!
Intervening Early—Helping Teens to Combat Pornography Addiction
The earlier in life a teen decides to deal with this addiction, the less harm it will cause in their future. many adults addicted to pornography say they wished they had dealt with the problem when they were still young because it would have saved them having to experience the pain and tragedy of what many adults addicted to pornography have to endure. Additionally, the longer an addiction remains in place, the more difficult that addiction can be to break. Breaking the addiction while still young is much easier than allowing the addiction to persist for many years.
A pornography addiction can be compared to having a heavy ball and chain attached to your leg. These devices were historically used to physically restrain prisoners because they took away their freedom and made it difficult to escape from captivity. A pornography addiction functions in the same way as it takes away your freedom and unless you can break the chains, leaves you in captivity to the images and the strong sexual feelings they trigger.
Research reveals that teens and young adults who consume online pornography are more likely to…
- Begin sexual activity earlier than peers
- Develop appetite for more graphic and deviant types of pornography
- Incur persistent emotional problems such as depression, shame and remorse
- Believe that the most gratifying sexual satisfaction is attainable without love or true affection
- Believe that being married or having a family are undesirable
- Develop sexual compulsions and addictive behaviors
- Believe that deviant sexual practices such as group sex and sadomasochism are common and normal.
The Breaking Free Workbook: Helping Youth Overcome Pornography Addiction
Since its publication in January 2011, the Breaking Free workbook has been instrumental in assisting hundreds of youth around the country overcome pornography addiction. The workbook provides a systematic approach for youth to follow as they strive to break free from a habit to which they have been enslaved, sometimes for many years. Together with participation in individual and group therapy, many youth have experienced great success in breaking free from pornography addiction.
The workbook is published by the Youth Pornography Addiction Center www.ypacenter.com and is the text that is used by therapists who run Mending The Armor and Star Guides outpatient programs.
The Breaking Free workbook is a twelve chapter text that leads youth to a greater understanding of pornography addiction including the brain science, the identification of underlying issues leading to the formation of an addiction and most importantly provides youth with specific strategies and guidance in learning to manage and overcome the addiction.
The last chapter of the workbook assists the young person in the creation of a long-term recovery plan that the youth can use in their efforts to abstain from relapse after they have completed treatment.
Teen Pornography Addiction Cycle
For many young people, the process of becoming addicted to pornography is gradual. Typically it will start with curiosity about sex. This is normal and natural. However, when sexual thoughts become more and more frequent, they can often result in sexual fantasies. Fantasies will often increase curiosity and lead to the beginning stages of exploration of pornography. The more that pornography is explored, the stronger the pull to look at it becomes. Often times, the increase in viewing pornography results in the added step of masturbation which heightens the sexual experience. This process begins to occur more frequently and eventually becomes a cycle in which an addiction forms. See the diagram of the teen pornography addiction cycle.
Youth Pornography Addiction Screening Tool
The Youth Pornography Addiction Screening Tool (YPAST) is an initial screening assessment tool for adolescents ages 12 to 18 with potential addiction to pornography. It is being developed with adolescent clients in outpatient settings around the United States. The YPAST provides a profile of responses that help to identify adolescents who are addicted to pornography. Click Here to access the YPAST.
12 strategies for fighting unwanted thoughts for teens
Described below is a list of strategies that can be effective in learning to avoid, ignore and not focus on sexual thoughts and fantasies.
- Practice positive self-talk. Think positive and confident thoughts about yourself and your ability to be successful.
- Practice identifying the spread of thoughts occurring in your mind at any given time and then selectively choosing to focus on the thoughts that are appropriate and productive.
- Practice being in the present, “here and now”. Train yourself to pay attention to things occurring around you rather than getting caught up in the thoughts in your head.
- Fill your mind with positive and useful thoughts so that the brain trails in your head are strong and clear to positive information while sexual thought trails become weak and difficult to navigate.
- Be interactive with people around you. The more you communicate with other people, the less time you have to dwell on unwanted thoughts.
- Try not to be alone. Don’t isolate yourself or look for chances to be alone. Involve yourself in social activities.
- Avoid seeing pornographic images, hearing discussion about sexual themes, or being around people engaged in sexual behaviors.
- If you find yourself dwelling on sexual thoughts, find something to do such as talking to a friend, exercising, or singing a church song.
- Pray to God for strength to help you avoid sexual thoughts.
- If you find yourself fantasizing, don’t keep it a secret, talk to your therapist or religious leader.
- Use the tracking charts found at the back of each chapter in this workbook to monitor your progress in avoiding fantasies, and pornography.
- Read scriptures or write in your journal.
15 Myths about Pornography for Teens
- “Viewing pornography only affects me and does not affect others.” MYTH
As with other addictions, there is a ripple effect from the behavior and family members, friends and others suffer from the consequences of the addiction, often times with the addicted person being too blinded by the addiction to realize this. Young people addicted to pornography neglect important relationships to pursue their addiction.
2. “Pornography is a good way to deal with sexual urges without being sexually active.” MYTH
Pornography always increases sexual urges and sexual drive and makes it more likely for sexual acting out to occur. Most people agree that there are numerous negative consequences from young people becoming sexually active at an early age.
3. “Pornography is a harmless way to relax and unwind.” MYTH
Studies have shown that pornography is highly addictive and mind altering. Using pornography as an “unwinding” or stress relieving activity prevents the development of normal coping skills for stress and anxiety. This is particularly harmful for young people who should be developing healthy coping skills to learn to deal with stress.
4.“Pornography is a good way to gain information about sex.” MYTH
Sexual scenes depicted in pornographic movies are often shown in an exaggerated way and are presented as extremely exciting and arousing. These scenes portray an inaccurate and unrealistic view of sexual experiences often leaving those that anticipate similar experiences disappointed. Young people who have an unrealistic view of sexual experiences because of inaccurate pornographic depictions may find themselves comparing their future spouses to what they saw in pornographic images which may interfere with achieving a fulfilling marriage.
5. “Viewing pornography can decrease the significance and meaning of your sexual relationship with your future spouse.” FACT
Viewing pornography will desensitize your future sexual experience and lessen the meaning of sex in your future relationships. Young people who refrain from viewing pornography will find that their sexual relationships with a future spouse will be more rewarding and fulfilling if they have not been desensitized from pornography.
6. “Pornography depicts the individuals portrayed as objects rather than people.” FACT
Remember, each person that you look at is a daughter, sister, son or brother of someone. Would you want people looking at your own future wife, husband, daughter, sister, son or brother in a sexual way?
7. “Pornography will not increase my sexual urges.” MYTH
Viewing pornography will increase your sexual urges and thoughts. You will become preoccupied with sexual thoughts and find it difficult to focus on the things in your life that are really important
.8.“Viewing pornography dulls the conscience.” FACT
Your ability and willingness to distinguish right from wrong are affected by viewing pornography making it easier to justify irresponsible and deceitful behavior. You may find yourself making excuses and deceiving yourself about activities in which you did not participate. During your youth, having a strong conscience is critical as you make important decisions that will impact the rest of your life.
9.“Pornography will not affect the priorities I have in my life.” MYTH
Viewing pornography will eventually become the most important activity in your life. The things in your life that should be most important such as family, school, socializing with friends, extra-curricular activities and participation in religious activities will become less important and a lower priority than your pornography addiction.
10.“Pornography distances one from God and Spirituality.” FACT
It becomes increasingly difficult to feel connected to God while viewing pornography. Feelings of darkness and discouragement will replace the light in your soul. This is especially important as developing spirituality as a young person will assist you in making many of the important decisions that you will be making about your future life.
11. “Viewing pornography can literally cause damage to the brain.” FACT
Recent scientific research is showing evidence that viewing pornography changes the composition of the brain in a manner similar to the effects that drugs have on the brain. Most young people realize the harmful effect of drugs on the brain, but far fewer realize that viewing pornography can have the same effects.
12. “Pornography can be viewed if it is done in way that doesn’t interfere with other life activities.” MYTH
Pornography is addictive to the point that you will begin to find yourself wasting hours in front of the computer or television and spending large amounts of time, energy and money supporting the addiction. You may be able to start out by occasional viewing, but in time, you will begin to neglect school work, spending time with family and friends and putting off other things in favor of viewing pornography.
13. “I can stop looking at pornography once I get into a serious relationship.” MYTH
Because of the nature of addiction, giving up the habit is more difficult than you think and will have an impact on your future relationships. In addition, if you are addicted to pornography, you may miss out on the opportunities to develop the personal characteristics that will allow you to be a part of a successful serious relationship such as a healthy marriage.
14. “Viewing pornography can lower my self-esteem and affect my self-confidence.” FACT
The addiction cycle moves on a downward spin, and the level of happiness and life satisfaction decreases with continued addiction. Viewing pornography brings quick and fleeting pleasure, but after the euphoria of the moment is gone, it leaves you feeling depressed and discouraged about continuing to engage in the behavior when your intention was to stop.
15. “Pornography is not really addictive. You just have to decide to stop looking.” MYTH
While choosing to not look is important, the power of the addiction is strong enough that many young people continue to look at pornography despite attempts and efforts to stop looking. Young people who believe that they can simply decide to stop looking may be in denial about how strong the addictive nature of pornography actually is.