In this compelling episode of Parent Guide: Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction, psychotherapist Matt Bulkley, with over 25 years of experience, dives into the science behind pornography addiction and its profound impact on the teen brain. Learn how pornography hijacks reward pathways, impairs impulse control, and alters brain chemistry through dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Matt breaks down why teens are uniquely vulnerable due to their developing brains and offers hope through neuroplasticity, showing how recovery is not only possible but achievable. Packed with real-life stories, actionable steps for parents, and expert insights, this episode equips you to guide your teen toward healing without shame or blame. Discover practical strategies to replace harmful habits with healthy alternatives and empower your teen with knowledge to rewire their brain for a brighter future. Subscribe, share, and visit therapyassociates.net or starguides.net for more resources

Takeaways

Pornography alters the reward pathways of the brain.

Teen brains are still developing, making them vulnerable.

Knowledge about brain function can empower recovery.

Dopamine surges from porn can mimic drug addiction.

Teens often use porn to cope with stress and anxiety.

Heavy porn use can lead to desensitization to pleasure.

Oxytocin release from porn can stunt real intimacy.

Teens may develop unrealistic sexual expectations from early exposure.

Recovery is possible through understanding and support.

Encouraging healthy activities can help rewire the brain.

Pornography addiction 

Teen brain 

Neuroplasticity 

Brain chemistry 

Dopamine addiction 

Teen mental health 

Parenting strategies 

Emotional health 

Recovery resources 

Impulse control

In Episode 10, psychotherapist Matt Bulkley guides parents and professionals on how to effectively use the Recovery Toolbox to help teens overcome pornography addiction. Learn how to leverage the three workbooks—Breaking Free for Teens, Breaking Free Parent Guide, and 101 Tips for Quitting Porn—to disrupt addictive cycles, foster accountability, and build lasting coping skills. From pre-treatment questionnaires to relapse trackers, Matt shares practical strategies for parent-led efforts, outpatient therapy, or intensive programs like Star Guides. Discover how to navigate relapses with hope, create meaningful conversations, and support your teen’s long-term recovery. Get the workbooks at www.therapyassociates.net and start your teen’s journey to freedom today!

Join host Matt Bulkley in this insightful episode of the Parent Guide: Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction podcast. Discover why self-reflection is a game-changer for parents supporting their teen’s recovery from pornography addiction. We explore how your experiences, biases, and emotions shape your response to your teen’s struggle and offer practical steps to create a safe, empathetic environment for healing. From understanding the teen brain to setting shame-free boundaries, this episode equips you with tools to guide your teen with compassion. Plus, we answer listener questions about sharing personal struggles and handling relapses. Tune in for hope, guidance, and actionable advice to strengthen your relationship with your teen.

Recovery Toolbox for Teens

www.therapyassociates.net/pornographyaddiction/recoverytoolboxforteens

Therapy Associates-Outpatient services

www.therapyassociates.net

Star Guides-Intensive Residential Level Treatment

www.starguides.net 

teen pornography addiction, helping teens overcome porn addiction, parental self-reflection, parenting teens with addiction, teen mental health, porn addiction recovery, empathy in parenting, setting boundaries for teens, teen addiction support, parent guide for teen addiction, Star Guides addiction program, understanding teen brain development, breaking free from porn addiction, parental biases and triggers, family counseling for addiction

In this empowering episode of Parent Guide: Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction, host Matt Bulkley dives into a game-changing strategy: tracking progress to help teens break free from pornography addiction. Discover how tools like streaks (consecutive porn-free days) and total scores (wins vs. losses over time) can shift your teen’s focus from perfection to progress, fostering motivation and resilience. Matt explores why recovery isn’t just about abstinence but building a fulfilling life, backed by research showing tracking boosts success rates by up to 18%. Learn practical ways to implement these tools, pitfalls to avoid (like the shame spiral after a broken streak), and five actionable tips to keep your teen on track. Through real stories like Sam’s, Matt illustrates how tracking builds confidence and momentum. Parents, you’ll walk away with clear strategies to support your teen’s journey without judgment. Tune in for research-backed insights, heartfelt encouragement, and resources like The Recovery Toolbox for Teens, Therapy Associates, and Star Guides to help your teen thrive. Share, review, and join the conversation to support your teen’s recovery!

In this episode of Parent Guide: Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction, licensed therapist Matt Bulkley, co-founder of Therapy Associates and Star Guides in St. George, Utah, dives into the critical role of open communication in helping teens recover from pornography addiction. Discover why secrecy fuels addiction and how non-judgmental conversations can build trust, reduce shame, and foster accountability. Matt introduces the powerful Color-Code Status Board, a simple tool to encourage teens to share their emotional state without pressure, paving the way for honest dialogue. Learn what not to do—like avoiding harsh reactions that push teens into isolation—and explore practical strategies to strengthen your relationship, including empathetic listening and modeling vulnerability. Matt also shares insights on when to seek professional support and highlights resources like the Breaking Free Workbooks and 101 Tips for Quitting Porn from Therapy Associates. Tune in for actionable steps to support your teen’s recovery journey with compassion and connection. Visit therapyassociates.net and starguides.net for more tools and resources.

In this episode of Parent Guide: Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction, psychotherapist Matt Bulkley, with 25 years of experience, offers hope and practical solutions for parents navigating their teen’s struggle with pornography addiction. Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start? You’re not alone. This episode dives into outpatient support—a flexible, evidence-based approach that empowers teens to break free from addiction while staying at home, attending school, and living their daily lives. Matt shares a relatable case study of a teen who found success through outpatient therapy, highlighting how it provides professional help, accountability, and tools like the Recovery Toolbox curriculum. Over 30 minutes, explore how individual therapy, weekly recovery groups, and family sessions work together to address compulsive behaviors, rebuild trust, and foster healthier habits. Matt also answers common parent questions, like how to find the right therapist and whether telehealth is an option. Visit therapyassociates.net for resources, including the Recovery Toolbox and details on the Tuesday online recovery group. Subscribe for more insights, and take the first step toward supporting your teen’s recovery today.