Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a Treatment for Unwanted Pornography Viewing

Description: 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the few research supported treatments for compulsive sexual behaviors including unwanted pornography viewing. ACT provides a comprehensive framework for addressing core underlying concerns that maintain problematic pornography viewing. This four hour workshop will demonstrate how ACT principles effectively reduce unwanted pornography viewing by cultivating openness to experiencing urges and by promoting value-directed behaviors. The training will review ACT treatment outcome studies, identify underlying pathological processes that contribute to unwanted pornography viewing, and present a rationale for a process oriented approach. We will review components of the ACT model and how to apply them to unwanted pornography viewing concerns including the integration of models of healthy sexuality and ways to improve relationships.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to:

1. Analyze ACT treatment outcome studies

2. Demonstrate how to motivate clients through “creative helplessness”

3. Apply strategies for enhancing willingness

4. Describe the relationship between language and psychological inflexibility

Abour Dr. Staley:

Cameron Staley is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about  providing counseling and training mental health professionals. He has  practiced in university counseling for the last 10 years. He developed  the Life After Series to reach individuals interested in improving their  mental health by learning from the best available therapeutic  approaches and research.

In his TEDx talk, Changing the Narrative Around the Addiction Story,  Cameron shares details from his research and counseling experience  regarding helpful ways to talk about sexuality and how to effectively  reduce unwanted pornography viewing through mindfulness. In an effort to  make these principles more accessible, he developed the Life After Pornography online program and the Life After Pornography Coach app based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) concepts proven effective in research to reduce unwanted pornography viewing in adults.

Cameron has presented his research on pornography at the International Academy of Sex Research (IASR) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) along with peer-reviewed publications in the journals of Socioaffective Neuroscience and Psychology, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Biological Psychology, Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, and Archives of Sexual Behavior.  He has also co-authored a chapter on Personality Disorders for an  Abnormal Psychology textbook and published outcomes from his clinical  work in the Journal of Clinical Case Studies.

Additional Info On ACT:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based approach to psychotherapy with roots in traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner thoughts, emotions, and urges, allowing them to live more consistent with their values. Instead of attempting to change or eliminate unwanted inner experiences, ACT helps clients change their relationship to them, thereby creating space to move forward in their lives. By letting go of the unnecessary struggles with sexual urges and desires, clients are empowered to change their behavior and begin living a more meaningful life.

ACT is a transdiagnostic treatment that has been found efficacious for a wide range of problems across over 900 randomized controlled trials including compulsive disorders such as pornography viewing. ACT provides a comprehensive framework for addressing core pathological processes underlying problematic pornography viewing including psychological inflexibility (rigid adherence to inner experiences including urges, thoughts, emotions;), low trait-mindfulness, emotion dysregulation and moral disapproval. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the few research supported treatments for problematic pornography viewing. In a recent randomized clinical trial, individuals were able to reduce their viewing of pornography on average by over 90% after participating in 12 sessions of ACT.

Citations:

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