Achieving Change in the Treatment of Problematic Pornography Use: A Review of Common Factors

There are common elements of change across all models of treatment that make them effective. Using the common factors of change framework, this article reviews and organizes the current treatment literature regarding problematic pornography use (PPU). PPU continues to be a common presenting problem, particularly in relationship therapy, as pornography use gains further political attention and accessibility. Despite the recent addition of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in the ICD-11, literature focused on effective treatment for PPU continues to be sparse. While common factors for PPU treatment are still in the initial stages of identification and research, this article will highlight the factors that have been initially investigated in the process of treating individuals and couples struggling with PPU. Clinical and research implications will then be discussed continuing to incorporate a common factors framework as our field strives to discover how to facilitate change in treating PPU within family and couple relationships.