The Role of Pornography in Couple Therapy

Ian Kerner, PhD, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, NYT bestselling author, and nationally recognized sexuality counselor who specializes in sex therapy, couples therapy and working with individuals on a range of relational issues that often lead to distress. He discusses negative associations with pornography and erotica and how these can be overcome, the move away from a language of addiction and towards a language of positive sexual health in sex research, and ways that erotica can be a solution or enhancement rather than a detriment to couples’ sexual health. He also describes how ethical production and consumption of pornography can depatholigize pornography and allow couples to practice mind-based arousal.