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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)

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