Helping Clients Affected by Porn Use - CPD training

Attend One or Both Days

Day One HPCSA Accredited - 5 General CEUs and 1 Ethics CEU (Day Two HPCSA Accredited - 5 General CEUs and 1 Ethics CEU)

Day One SACSPP - 4.5 points (Day Two - 5.5 points)

Problematic pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour are increasingly encountered in counselling, psychology, social work, and pastoral care settings. Yet many practitioners receive little formal training in recognising these presentations or responding with confidence, clinical clarity, and compassion.

This evidence-informed CPD workshop provides an introduction to understanding and working with clients affected by problematic pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour. Drawing on current research and clinical practice, participants will gain practical knowledge, assessment frameworks, and trauma-informed approaches that can be applied immediately within their professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand current models of problematic pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour.
• Recognise the psychological, neurological, relational, and attachment-related factors that contribute to compulsive sexual behaviour.
• Conduct introductory assessment using evidence-informed frameworks.
• Respond to disclosures in a non-shaming, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded manner.
• Distinguish between compulsive sexual behaviour and values-based distress.
• Recognise the impact on intimate relationships and understand when specialist referral is appropriate.
• Apply practical strategies to improve clinical decision-making and support clients within their scope of practice.

Attend One or Both Days

Day Two SACSPP - 5.5 points

Day Two HPCSA Accredited - 5 General CEUs and 1 Ethics CEU

The discovery or disclosure of problematic pornography use, compulsive sexual behaviour, or sexual betrayal can have a profound psychological and relational impact on intimate partners. Partners may present with hypervigilance, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, intrusive thoughts, loss of trust, and an overwhelming need to understand what has happened. Yet these responses are sometimes minimised, misunderstood, or incorrectly pathologised.

This evidence-informed CPD workshop introduces practitioners to betrayal trauma as a framework for understanding the impact of sexual betrayal and attachment rupture. Drawing on current research and specialist clinical practice, participants will develop practical, trauma-informed approaches to supporting partners during the early stages of discovery and disclosure. Particular attention will be given to safety, stabilisation, ethical practice, therapist bias, and appropriate referral.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand betrayal trauma as a trauma response associated with attachment rupture and sexual betrayal.
• Recognise common psychological, emotional, relational, and physiological responses following discovery or disclosure.
• Understand the impact of secrecy, deception, discovery, and disclosure on a partner’s sense of safety, trust, and reality.
• Avoid minimising, misinterpreting, or unnecessarily pathologising trauma-related responses.
• Identify therapist assumptions, biases, and ethical risks that may affect partner-sensitive practice.
• Apply trauma-informed principles to early-stage support, including stabilisation, containment, psychoeducation, and safety planning.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and recognise when referral to specialist support is required.
• Improve clinical decision-making when working with individuals, partners, and couples affected by sexual betrayal.

This workshop is designed for:

• Psychologists
• Registered Counsellors
• Social Workers
• Wellness & Pastoral Counsellors
• Other mental health professionals working with individuals, couples, and families

LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP FORMAT

These are live, interactive workshops rather than prerecorded webinars. Each workshop includes:

• Evidence-informed teaching
• Practical assessment and support frameworks
• Clinical case studies
• Facilitated small-group discussion
• Reflective exercises
• Role plays
• Knowledge assessment
• Opportunities to ask questions

Participants will receive the online joining information before the training.

Previous participants particularly valued the practical nature of the training, the confidence it gave them to address difficult conversations with clients, and the safe and engaging learning environment created by trainer Cat Etherington.

100% of participants rated the training Excellent, and following the training, **79% described themselves as confident or very confident in their understanding of pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour after the training, compared to 14% before. **

“I am less concerned about opening the conversation.”

“It has given me more confidence in addressing it in the counselling room.”

“Feeling ‘bolder’ to talk about issues surrounding pornography.”

“Great balance between information and interaction.”

“Assessing around this area - the list of questions to ask is really helpful.”

“The trainer herself was fantastic... Trainer created a safe space.”

“It has given me a basic understanding of the factors contributing to problematic sex behaviours, lots of language to use around that and the curiosity to learn more.”

"Enriching the assessment process"

"Improving understanding of triggers and function of this behaviour"

Cat Etherington is Director of Recovery at The Naked Truth Project (UK) and an APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist.

Feedback based on 29 participants at previous practitioner training. Testimonials shared anonymously.

CPD ACCREDITATION

We are currently working with the relevant accrediting bodies to confirm the change from in-person to live online delivery and retain the advertised CPD/CEU points.

The intended accreditation is:

HPCSA: 6 CEUs per workshop, comprising 5 General CEUs and 1 Ethics CEU.

SACSSP: 4.5 CPD points for Day One and 5.5 CPD points for Day Two.

Final accreditation details will be confirmed before the workshops. Certificates will be issued to participants who meet the attendance and assessment requirements.

ONLINE TICKET PRICES

One workshop: R1,250

Both workshops: R2,150

Supported NPO rate:

One workshop: R750

Both workshops: R1,300

A limited number of supported-rate places are available to professionals employed by registered nonprofit organisations.

Please contact [email protected] for information about team booking discounts.