Freedom from Cybersex Page 1 - "Can I Stop?"

Self-help vs counseling | Gay glossary | Freedom from cybersex| Coming out| Gay men's forum

	1. "Can I stop?"
	2. "Is it an addiction?"
	3. "What can I do about it?"
	4. The first small steps
	5. Do more of what works
	6. Take setbacks in stride

Printer-friendly version of full article

1. "Can I stop?"

(Page 1 of 6)

Here at Gay Men's Counseling we receive a lot of email from men worried about out-of-control Internet sexual behavior.

Many of you share your concerns about lost weekends viewing Internet pornography or over-involvement in sex chat and webcam masturbation.

You ask why it's so tough to reduce or eliminate this activity on your own. And you want to know if counseling can help?

In response, here is our Gay Men's Counseling overview on the subject of cybersex over-involvement. We hope you can use these ideas to free yourself, if that's what you want, from cybersex.

"Is counseling necessary to reduce my involvement?"

Often men ask if working with a professional counselor is necessary to reduce their participation in cybersex. We believe it helps but isn't an absolute requirement. Freeing yourself from cybersex involves uncomplicated behavioral changes that you can achieve on your own.

What counseling can do is keep you honest. Like most guys, you will probably find it easier to follow through on intentions when you know you'll be asked about your progress at your next online or face-to-face counseling session.

A counselor will also help you focus on strategies that actually work. For example, if you find yourself breaking for the 100th time your heartfelt resolution never to engage again in webcam masturbation, then the time has come to give up resolution-making as a meaningful strategy.

On the other hand, if you've noticed that visiting a friend—or going out for pizza—takes the edge off porn craving, then it's probably a good idea to try to get out more.

The idea here is to do more of what actually works.

A counselor will also support you if and when you experience setbacks. Good counselors know that successful outcomes are less about perfection than achieving incremental gains. Over time, others have successfully reduced or eliminated their participation in Internet sex. Why not you?

Next: 2. "Is it an addiction?"

Jump: Page 1 > Page 2 > Page 3 > Page 4 > Page 5 > Page 6