Helping your teen

Pornography use can become a serious issue when it starts to interfere with daily life, relationships, or emotional well-being. While pornography addiction is not officially recognized as a diagnosis in the DSM-5, many mental health professionals address problematic pornography use (PPU) through related diagnoses. For parents, understanding how PPU fits into broader mental health concerns can help in supporting their children or loved ones who may be struggling.

Parents of teens face many challenges, but one growing concern is the rise of pornography addiction among adolescents. This issue often ties closely to impulse control difficulties. Teens today live in a world of instant rewards, where quick dopamine hits from technology shape their brains in ways that make self-discipline harder to develop. Understanding this connection can help parents support their teens more effectively.

Short-form videos have become a dominant force in how teens consume content today. Platforms like TikTok deliver endless streams of 15-second clips tailored to each viewer’s preferences. This design taps directly into the brain’s reward system, creating a cycle of instant gratification that can be hard to break. Understanding why these videos are so addictive helps explain a worrying trend: the rise of porn addiction among teens, fueled by similar mechanisms of dopamine-drive

Talking about pornography addiction with teens can feel like navigating a minefield. Many parents struggle to find the right approach, fearing their teen will shut down or feel judged. Yet, when teens know they can say, “I had a trigger today” without fear of anger or shame, the emotional weight of those moments begins to ease. This reduces the brain’s tendency to lock those memories deeper, making recovery and honest conversations easier. Creating a safe space where your tee

Teen years often feel like a nonstop competition where everyone seems to be winning except your child. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X flood teens with carefully curated highlight reels of others’ lives. This constant comparison can leave teens feeling like they don’t measure up. Research shows that teens who frequently compare themselves to others are 60% more likely to experience anxiety and depression. When your teen feels “not smart enough, not attrac

Many parents face a difficult reality when they discover their teenager is struggling with pornography addiction. It’s easy to assume that this behavior is about curiosity or pleasure. Yet, recent research reveals a different story: for many teens, pornography is a way to escape emotional pain they don’t yet know how to manage. Understanding this can change how parents approach the problem and support their child’s recovery.

Therapy Associates offers a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) designed specifically to meet the needs of local youth. This intensive day treatment program provides a middle ground between outpatient therapy and inpatient hospitalization. It allows young people to receive comprehensive care while still living at home and gradually reintegrating into their communities.

Pornography addiction among teens is a growing concern for many parents. The impact on young brains can feel overwhelming, and the path to recovery may seem uncertain. Recent research offers encouraging news: the teenage brain shows a remarkable ability to heal after quitting heavy pornography use. Understanding this recovery process can help parents support their teens with hope and practical guidance.

(The Science Every Parent Needs to Understand in 2025) As a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Why can’t my teen just stop? They know it’s hurting them. They hate how they feel afterward. So why do they keep going back?”The answer isn’t laziness, lack of willpower, or moral failure. It’s biology. Modern pornography hijacks a developing teen brain in ways that are strikingly similar to hard drugs — and we now have the MRI scans and decades of research to prov

Pornography addiction in teens can feel overwhelming and hopeless for parents. You may worry about lasting damage or wonder if your teen’s brain can ever recover. The best news is that teen brains heal fast. Research shows that the adolescent brain is incredibly adaptable and can bounce back from addiction more quickly than adult brains. This post explains how your teen’s brain changes during recovery and what you can do to support their healing.

Parents facing the challenge of a teen struggling with pornography addiction often feel overwhelmed. When this addiction leads to sexual acting out involving siblings, the situation becomes even more complex and painful. Sibling sexual abuse is a difficult topic, often hidden behind silence and shame. Unlike parent–child abuse, it is less likely to be reported, leaving families in the dark until behaviors escalate. Understanding this issue is crucial for parents who want to p

Living with anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming. It’s like carrying a heavy weight that no one else can see. But you don’t have to face it alone. There is professional support available that can help you regain control and find peace. In this post, I want to share practical insights and gentle encouragement to guide you toward the help you deserve. Understanding Support for Anxiety: What It Looks Like Anxiety can show up in many ways. Sometimes it’s a constant worry

Youth in the St. George and Southern Utah areas face unique challenges when seeking mental health and behavioral support. Many families must travel long distances to Northern Utah or Las Vegas for inpatient care, which can disrupt daily life and community connections. Therapy Associates addresses this gap by providing a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) designed specifically for pre-teens and adolescents.

If you’ve ever crept past your teenager’s door at 2 a.m. and seen that familiar blue glow… if you’ve had one too many tearful, angry, shame-filled confrontations… if you’re exhausted from catching the same lies over and over… then you already know the question that keeps you awake at night:Should my teen even have a phone right now?The short answer, from a therapist who has sat with hundreds of teens and families battling pornography addiction.

Pornography addiction among teens is a growing concern for many parents. Often, this behavior is not just about curiosity or habit but is deeply connected to emotional struggles. Teens may turn to pornography as a way to escape uncomfortable feelings like stress, loneliness, or low self-worth. Understanding these emotional roots is essential for parents who want to support their teens in breaking free from this cycle.

Pornography addiction in teens is a growing concern for many parents. It often feels like a battle against an invisible force that hijacks the brain’s reward system, making it hard for teens to break free. Understanding the science behind this addiction and how habits form can empower parents to support their teens in healthier ways. This post explores how the brain’s wiring creates these habits and how positive activities can replace harmful ones.

Memories of past pornography use can be powerful triggers for teens struggling with addiction. These memories activate the brain’s reward system, making it harder for teens to focus and increasing the risk of relapse. For parents, understanding how to help teens manage these intrusive memories is a crucial part of supporting their recovery journey. This post offers practical strategies based on neuroscience and clinical practice to help parents guide their teens through this

Pornography addiction in teens can feel overwhelming for parents. It often creates distance, confusion, and frustration within families. Yet, recovery is possible, and your involvement as a parent plays a crucial role in your teen’s healing journey. At Star Guides, parents are not sidelined; instead, they are active partners in the treatment process. This post explains how Star Guides includes parents every step of the way, offering support, education, and meaningful ways to

Porn addiction in teens is a growing concern for many parents. When outpatient treatments or home-based interventions don’t seem to work, it can feel overwhelming and frustrating. You might wonder if your teen is simply struggling or if they need a more structured, immersive program like Star Guides to help break the cycle. Understanding the signs that indicate when outpatient care is no longer enough can guide you toward the right support for your teen.

Taking care of your emotional and psychological well-being is just as important as looking after your physical health. Whether you’re a child, teen, adult, parent, or part of a family, finding the right support can make a world of difference. I want to share with you how comprehensive behavioral health options can be tailored to meet your unique needs, helping you navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope.