Pornography use and recovery / PPU-A04-1
A Nonjudgmental Pattern Map — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind a nonjudgmental pattern map and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Noah notices a repeated pattern after an isolating workday.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. Patterns can be explored through context without explicit content details.
The idea
Patterns can be explored through context without explicit content details.
An ordinary example
Noah notices a repeated pattern after an isolating workday.
What this can look like
Map an ordinary sequence of situation, feeling, urge, action, and consequence using neutral language.
Check the fit
Where might a practical support change the sequence? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
A chosen change goal and a clinical diagnosis are different questions. Address functioning, control, consent, values, and distress without assuming that sexual expression itself is pathological.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- Where might a practical support change the sequence?
Conceptual background
AASECT Position on Sex Addiction — American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.