Where can you find counseling for pornography addiction? If you’re struggling with compulsive use of pornography, you might need a Christian counselor. And if you want to receive professional counseling but don’t know where to find it, here’s some help to get started.
Christian Counseling Associations for Porn Addiction
One of the best ways to find counseling for porn addiction is to start with a counseling association. These associations are large umbrella organizations of like-minded counselors. There are many in the United States, but here are two of the largest.
American Association of Christian Counselors
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is the largest faith-based mental health organization in the world. The AACC represents counselors from a wide variety of Christian denominations and backgrounds and combines the latest psychological research and treatments with a commitment to Christian principles and biblical teaching.
Covenant Eyes has partnered with the AACC many times. You can use their webpage to find a counselor.
Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) seeks to train counselors who are competent to counsel according to biblical standards. This means having biblical knowledge and understanding (Romans 15:14), and “spiritual” counselors that are thus able to restore those who are caught in the grip of sin (Galatians 6:1).
You can search for a counselor in the directory of the ACBC.
Counseling Organizations That Can Help With Porn Addiction
There are many fine Christian organizations devoted to helping individuals overcome pornography addiction. If you contact these ministries, they won’t judge you or shame you. Your unique temptations and struggles won’t surprise them. They are a part of God’s provision for you.
- Focus on the Family—Focus on the Family provides a free, one-time phone consultation with help from licensed Christian counselors and pastoral counselors. Call 1.855.771.HELP (4357) on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (MST).
- PureLifeMinistries.org—PureLifeMinistries offers counseling, live-in programs, and online programs.
- BeBroken.com—BeBroken provides counseling, workshops for men & wives, and a huge collection of educational resources.
- SexAddict.com—This website is run by sexual addiction expert Dr. Doug Weiss and offers many resources for individuals, couples, spouses, and groups.
- SettingCaptivesFree.com—Setting Captives Free offers online studies and mentoring for a variety of addictions and besetting sins.
- PureDesire.org—PureDesire offers counseling as well as great materials for support groups.
Other Porn Addiction Support Groups
Here are some other organizations that can provide support groups:
- SamsonSociety.com—Samson Society offers recovery groups for men. You can find an online meeting or an in-person group, depending on your area.
- SheRecovery.com—In addition to counseling resources, SheRecovery offers online recovery groups for women.
- CelebrateRecovery.com—You can use this location finder tool to find a Celebrate Recovery group in your area.
We also have an article that compares 12-step groups for recovery and their differences.
Other Counseling Materials for Porn Addiction Recovery
Are you a counselor, pastor, or just someone who wants to learn more about porn addiction? Here are some lists we’ve created of the best resources available:
- Covenant Eyes Resources Page
- The Best Books on Porn Addiction Recovery
- 9 Podcasts Sure to Help Your Recovery From Porn
- 11 Powerful Sermons on Porn
Are there other counseling resources for porn addiction that you have found helpful? Let us know in the comments!
My husband confessed using pornography.
He feels like he’s going to have a nervous breakdown. I don’t know where to get help.
Waterford,Michigan
Hi Kim,
Thank you for reaching out and asking for help! Although this may be little comfort to you during this trying time, please know that you are not alone. Are you a part of a church? If so, I encourage you to reach out to the women leaders there and ask them for wisdom and guidance. I would also recommend finding a counselor – someone who can ask you the right questions and perhaps even speak to your husband.
Above all, cling to Christ as your source of hope and healing. You will find peace in Him!
Blessings,
Moriah
I don’t know who’s actually going to see this, but I’ve been a porn addict for quite some time…damn near two decades…thing is, I’ve wanted to quite for over 10 years now, but one thing I don’t hear anyone talking about (for the scant few who even want to acknowledge it can be a problem), is the withdrawal effects.
Does anyone else find that if you’ve been at it for quite some time, and you try going off it for even for a few days, you start getting any number of ailments like headaches, nausea, extremely cloudy thought (when the thoughts of going back to it are strongest, but you have trouble concentrating on even doing something simple), anxiety or an extremely short temper? Does anyone else get symptoms like these? Or am I just messed up?
PS, having problems finding anyone from any kind of Christian organisation who can help with this in Australia…have tried talking to various types of people to get help in the past but there seems to be no one who knows what they’re doing…how do I know that? I know more about it from internet searches than they seem to in general.
Hi friend,
There are most definitely symptoms that come with porn withdrawal. I would encourage you to read our blog post: Do You Have Porn Withdrawal Symptoms?
If you are struggling to find a local organization or support group, there are some amazing support groups available online!
Blessings,
Moriah
Help me!
Hi friend!
Although I am unsure what you need help with or are struggling with, I want to encourage you to turn to someone you know and trust and share your struggles with them. This can be a spouse, relative, friend, leader, co-worker – anyone who you feel will listen to you and hold you accountable on your journey towards recovery.
Blessings!
Moriah
Please help. I am 65 yr old and have been watching porn practically all my adult life. I need serious help to quit this. I can’t do it by myself. I am in the Oxford MS area.
I’m so glad you’re ready to take responsibility for yourself! That’s the road to healing. Here’s the Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Directory link. You will be able to search by your location for someone in your area.
Hi I’m having trouble with my husbands addiction to porn and he says he is as well. I have caught him in 5 lies that I know of straight to my face. He says he wants to stop but has not. We are very shortly wanting to try to have a baby. We both agreed counseling would be best but it is hard to find someone that can help with a couple that is deployed. I can’t seem to find any resources for counseling such as over the phone or by face chats such as WhatsApp. Can you help? We are really struggling as a couple and want a fresh future with trust.
Hi Alyssa,
I’m a therapist, and in my opinion, porn addiction is not a couples’ issue. It is an individual issue that impacts both partners, which is a slightly different thing to me. I think the person with the addiction needs to be the primary worker in solving the problem and learning to make healthier choices, while the spouse needs support and care.
I would suggest that your husband check the Certified Sex Addiction Therapist directory. He may find a therapist there who is willing to do online counseling.
Meanwhile, you can find your own therapist locally, someone who can help you process your emotions and consider healthy boundaries.
You may also appreciate the online resources at Bloom for Women, where you will find supportive forums for yourself as well as relationship classes for you and your husband.
Peace,
Kay
Hi. I was wondering if there is a process that helps you to stop porn use. If so I would be very happy to hear it. Thanks for your time.
My husband has been looking at porn since we got married. He cycles in and out of looking at it and thinks that if I would be sexier or make him feel more loved it wouldn’t be a problem for him. I want to go to counseling, but we live in a remote area and there are no sex therapists or counselors where we are. Is there anything you could recommend for us? I’m desperate to recover our marriage.
I hope you know that your husband’s ideas about this being somehow your fault are COMPLETELY FALSE! This is an example of the defense mechanism called displacement: he has a problem, but he “kicks the dog” (you) instead of taking responsibility for himself.
I’m sorry to say that I don’t think couples’ counseling is the answer here, either. This is really not a couples’ issue; this is his problem to deal with himself.
If he is not able to take responsibility for himself and take initiative to seek help for himself, then it really will be up to you to consider your boundaries and decide if this is a situation you’re willing to live with for the rest of your life or not. I know that sounds harsh, but I’m a counselor and I see women in their 60’s all the time who have lived with this throughout their marriages, and feel completely dead inside. I would urge you to think about what you can do to create a healthy life for yourself, no matter what he chooses. Here, here, and here are some articles on boundaries that might help you.
Given your remote location, you might appreciate the online resources at Bloom for Women. There are couples’ courses available at Bloom also, should your husband wish to participate.
No matter what he chooses, you can choose to be healty and whole.
Peace,
Kay
I strongly recommend Dr Ted Roberts of Pure Desire. He is a Christian pastor specialized in Sex and porn additions.
God Bless
Dear Luke,
I am a porn addict. Need help
Paul
Hello, Paul – I’m now in Luke’s position at Covenant Eyes. It sounds like you’re ready for taking action. What have you tried? Can I encourage you to read this?
Peace, Chris
My porn addiction is pretty recent, I acknowledge its a problem and I stop. But I like reading romantic novels and I’ve gotten to the point where I would skip as much of the sex scenes as possible – I don’t always succeed. I’ve noticed recently that the books I read have become triggers, that causes relapse. I acknowledge that I have to give up romantic novels period, but do I have to give up reading other fiction genres on the bases that there may be a sex scene and it might cause me to relapse????
Now that I’m not reading as much, what do I do with my time?? Free time causes me to think and thinking brings things up that I don’t want to remember. Your advise would be greatly appreciated.
Hello, Sihle – I commend you for giving up the romantic novels, and yes, if there are other triggers, including other fictional books, then I would agree that those should also be removed until your will is stronger. It’s not fun taking away some of those things you enjoy, but the long-term satisfaction of staying pure far outweighs the short-term satisfaction gained from reading a certain type of book. I don’t know how you should fill your free time, but maybe it isn’t a hobby. I find that it’s really hard to indulge in self-damaging behavior when you’re consumed with serving other people. Like volunteering in a Children’s hospital. Or, helping a church with some programming. Or, whatever it might be. Give of yourself, and I think you’ll find your spirit encouraged to the point where temptation doesn’t have the same control over you. Now, beware, because sin is a prowling lion, always looking for another way to trick and deceive. Be on guard and pray for Divine protection. You can do this! God is for you.
Peace, Chris