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Talking Taboos with Dr Paula Hall: when does porn use become a problem?
In this episode of Talking Taboos: The Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Paula Hall - a sexual and relationship psychotherapist, author and broadcaster who founded The Laurel Centre and Pivotal Recovery. We talk about the taboo of feeling addicted to porn through the lens of therapy, recovery, and mental health.
Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience, Paula explains how porn use exists on a spectrum - from recreational use through to dependency and addiction - and how people can gradually find themselves relying on pornography for emotional regulation, stress relief, or escape, often without initially recognising it as a problem.
We unpack the complex reasons people struggle to seek help and how compulsive behaviours can become neurologically reinforced over time, making people feel trapped in cycles they no longer enjoy or feel able to control.
The episode also looks at the impact on relationships, the realities of disclosure and betrayal, and why supportive conversations require curiosity, boundaries, and listening - rather than quick fixes or judgement.
Paula brings a hopeful and practical perspective to the conversation. We discuss what recovery can actually look like, the role of psychoeducation and self-understanding, why earlier intervention matters, and the growing need for accessible support.
This episode contains discussion of addiction and mental health. Please listen with care.
If any of the experiences in this conversation have resonated with you, please know you’re not alone, when you are ready, there are people you can talk to and places you can turn to for support.
You can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, or visit Mind at mind.org.uk for information and support.
For help with feeling addicted to porn, you can find free support through:
- Pivotal Recovery - pivotalrecovery.org
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) UK - saauk.info
- The Naked Truth - nakedtruthproject.com
You can also find information and education about porn through Brook - brook.org.uk and The Mix for under 25’s - themix.org.uk
Music: First Day in Spring. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: HOQAMBWRBZ8Q8MU9
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By Talking TaboosIn this episode of Talking Taboos: The Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Paula Hall - a sexual and relationship psychotherapist, author and broadcaster who founded The Laurel Centre and Pivotal Recovery. We talk about the taboo of feeling addicted to porn through the lens of therapy, recovery, and mental health.
Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience, Paula explains how porn use exists on a spectrum - from recreational use through to dependency and addiction - and how people can gradually find themselves relying on pornography for emotional regulation, stress relief, or escape, often without initially recognising it as a problem.
We unpack the complex reasons people struggle to seek help and how compulsive behaviours can become neurologically reinforced over time, making people feel trapped in cycles they no longer enjoy or feel able to control.
The episode also looks at the impact on relationships, the realities of disclosure and betrayal, and why supportive conversations require curiosity, boundaries, and listening - rather than quick fixes or judgement.
Paula brings a hopeful and practical perspective to the conversation. We discuss what recovery can actually look like, the role of psychoeducation and self-understanding, why earlier intervention matters, and the growing need for accessible support.
This episode contains discussion of addiction and mental health. Please listen with care.
If any of the experiences in this conversation have resonated with you, please know you’re not alone, when you are ready, there are people you can talk to and places you can turn to for support.
You can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, or visit Mind at mind.org.uk for information and support.
For help with feeling addicted to porn, you can find free support through:
- Pivotal Recovery - pivotalrecovery.org
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) UK - saauk.info
- The Naked Truth - nakedtruthproject.com
You can also find information and education about porn through Brook - brook.org.uk and The Mix for under 25’s - themix.org.uk
Music: First Day in Spring. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: HOQAMBWRBZ8Q8MU9