Modern Clinician's Guide to Porn

A Comprehensive Clinical Framework for Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior

Treat pornography addiction with confidence

Process addictions are among the defining concerns of younger generations, and pornography addiction is near the top of that list. The largest international study of its kind found prevalence rates for problematic porn use between 3.2% and 16.6%*, comparable to depression.

This CE course breaks down the complexities of modern pornography addiction and compulsive use to arm clinicians with assessment tools, diagnostic frameworks, and evidence-based treatment approaches. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and skillset to expand your scope of practice to effectively work with people struggling with pornography use.

In 4 hours, you'll learn directly from Dr. Alok Kanojia, MD, MPH, ABPN, world-renowned technology addiction expert and founder of Healthy Gamer, and Alexandra Waxer, LCSW-S, and Director of HG Institute. You'll walk away with tools that strengthen client relationships, improve outcomes, increase client retention, and build the kind of clinical confidence that shows up in every session.
Bőthe, B., Nagy, L., Koós, M., , Z., Potenza, M. N., Kraus, S. W., Corazza, O., & International Sex Survey Consortium. (2024). Problematic pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations: Insights from the International Sex Survey and comparison of differeDemetrovicsnt assessment tools. Addiction, 119(5), 928–950. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16431

Learning Objectives

  • Explain ICD-11 CSBD diagnostic criteria, including the 6-month timeline and the exclusion of purely moral or religious distress.
  • Explain the neurobiological impact of high-stimulation pornography on thalamic processing and dopamine dysregulation.
  • Distinguish between functional client guilt and identity-based shame cycles that fuel compulsive behavioral recurrence.
  • Apply Motivational Interviewing principles to constructively manage clinical discord and client ambivalence.
  • Analyze compulsive sexual behavior through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) core needs frustration.
Empty space, drag to resize

 HG Institute is approved by the organizations listed below to provide accredited Continuing Education (CE) hours.

We encourage you to check with your credentialing body or state board to ensure our courses meet your specific licensing or renewal requirements. Acceptance may vary by jurisdiction.

Instructors

Dr. Alok Kanojia, MD, MPH

Dr. Alok Kanojia (Dr. K) is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and the founder of Healthy Gamer and HG Institute (HGI). Recognized globally as a leading voice in digital mental health and video game addiction, Dr. K blends clinical expertise with deep insight into the mental health needs of digital natives. His experience spans academic research, policy, and clinical care—ranging from Harvard’s residential addiction treatment programs to training over 600 peer support professionals in resilience practices. At HGI, Dr. K pioneers innovative, interdisciplinary solutions for the next generation of care.

Alexandra Waxer, LCSW-S

Alexandra Waxer is the Director of HG Institute (HGI), where she leads initiatives that bridge mental health, technology, and professional development. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor with expertise in adolescent mental health, Alexandra’s work focuses on suicide prevention, anxiety, and depression in digitally connected youth. At HGI, she designs continuing education and collaborative care models that unite clinicians, coaches, and peer supporters to meet the needs of a tech-driven generation. Outside of work, Alex reads a lot of fantasy and sci-fi and has an ever-growing collection of half-finished craft projects.

This course has no commercial support or conflicts of interest.