S12 | E3 Porn and Sex Addiction: Recovery, Relationships & What Actually Works | Dr Paula Hall

Send us Fan Mail How do you know when sexual behaviour has become an addiction rather than a healthy expression of sexuality? Why do some people find pornography or compulsive sexual behaviour so difficult to stop? And what actually helps people recover? In this conversation, I'm joined by \*Dr Paula Hall\*, one of the UK's leading specialists in \*porn addiction, sex addiction and compulsive sexual behaviour\*. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience as a psychotherapist, Paula explains why porn addiction develops, the role of attachment and trauma, why shame and secrecy keep people stuck, and the practical, evidence-based approaches that help people recover from porn addiction and rebuild healthy relationships. We also explore the impact of addiction on partners and relationships, including betrayal trauma, rebuilding trust, therapeutic disclosure, forgiveness and what gives couples the best chance of moving forward together. Whether you're struggling with pornography or compulsive sexual behaviour yourself, trying to understand a partner's behaviour, rebuilding trust after betrayal, or you're simply interested in the psychology of addiction, relationships and recovery, I hope you'll find this conversation both helpful and thought-provoking. \*\*In this interview we discuss:\** • Porn addiction and sex addiction • Compulsive sexual behaviour (CSBD) • Healthy sexuality versus addictive behaviour • Why pornography can become addictive • Attachment, trauma and emotional regulation • Shame, secrecy and honesty in recovery • Why the digital world makes pornography harder to escape • Practical strategies to overcome compulsive behaviours • Group therapy and accountability • Betrayal trauma and relationship recovery • How couples rebuild trust after addiction • Therapeutic disclosure versus "full disclosure" • Supporting a partner through addiction recovery • Sexuality, sexual orientation and recovery • Whether abstinence is always the best approach Dr Paula Hall's links For affordable, anonymous, professional self-help: (https://pivotalrecovery.org) For therapy, assessments and group recovery programmes: (https://thelaurelcentre.co.uk) 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! ✅ If anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. You're very welcome to get in touch with me via my website (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) to find out more or to arrange an initial conversation. 📖 My book \*Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: (https://mybook.to/Z8i2) \*\*My FREE personal development course 'Life Unlimited: 10 Steps to Real Change' is now available on this channel in a playlist on the homepage.\** Whether you're looking to move through anxiety, stress, depression, chronic anger, addictive behaviour, co-dependency, narcissism, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship problems, feeling stuck, lost or lacking in purpose – or simply want to experience more happiness, contentment and fulfilment in your life – this free course is carefully designed to help you do that. 'Life Unlimited' Course testimonials include: \*"John-Paul's course Life Unlimited more than lives up to its promise as a practical and accessible guide to making meaningful, positive changes in your life. He takes you on a clear path towards self-awareness and self-acceptance, helping you to set healthy boundaries in your relationships with others."* and \*"The course is packed with valuable content, yet John-Paul's warm, non-judgemental style makes it feel more as if a friend is sharing some wonderful wisdom. 100% recommend."* Support the show If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk