Built on the Model of the Person from Divine Mercy University. Formation, accompaniment and care, measured every session.

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Catholic · Emmaus course

Guarding the Gift: Pornography, Gender Differences, and the Restoration of Marital Intimacy

A Catholic Clinical and Pastoral Perspective

What drives pornography use — really? This 1-hour NBCC CE course brings together clinical psychologists and spiritual directors to examine the emotional and relational roots of pornography use, with close attention to how those roots look different in men and women. Grounded in Catholic anthropology and current clinical practice, Guarding the Gift gives counselors and pastoral ministers a framework for accompanying individuals and couples with compassion, precision, and hope.

NBCC CE · 1 clock hour · Helping Relationships (HR)

With Harvey Payne, Psy.D., Lisa Klewicki, MAT, Ph.D., Julia Hogan, LCPC and Dr. John Hopkins

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Length
1 hr
Lessons
1
Level
Advanced
Version
Catholic
Price
Free

About this course

Pornography use is one of the most common presenting issues in both pastoral and clinical settings — and one of the most underprepared-for. Most counselors and spiritual directors encounter it regularly but feel limited in their ability to address the gender-specific pathways that lead people into it, or the complex relational dynamics it leaves in its wake.

Guarding the Gift: Pornography, Gender Differences, and the Restoration of Marital Intimacy addresses this gap directly. Developed by the Life Long Learning Institute at Divine Mercy University, this one-hour NBCC CE course features Dr. Harvey Payne, Psy.D., Dr. Lisa Klewicki, MAT, Ph.D., and an experienced spiritual director in conversation about the real dynamics of pornography use: its emotional roots, its gender-specific pathways, its devastating effect on marital intimacy, and the team-based approach that supports genuine recovery.

The course is grounded in the Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person (CCMMP), which integrates psychological and theological wisdom without sacrificing the rigor of either. It is designed for licensed counselors, spiritual directors, and pastoral ministers who want to help — and who want the framework to do it well.

Who this course is for

Catholic Counselors and Therapists (NBCC CE Context)

Many have limited graduate training in integrating faith and clinical practice and are actively seeking CE courses that address this gap.

Understand how and why pornography use looks different in men and women — and how to address both pathways clinically.

Also for Spiritual Directors and Pastoral Ministers; Parish Formation Leaders and DREs.

From the course syllabus

Pornography use is one of the most common presenting issues in both pastoral and clinical settings — and one of the most underprepared-for. Most counselors and spiritual directors encounter it regularly but feel limited in their ability to address the gender-specific pathways that lead people into it, or the complex relational dynamics it leaves in its wake.

Guarding the Gift: Pornography, Gender Differences, and the Restoration of Marital Intimacy addresses this gap directly. Developed by the Life Long Learning Institute at Divine Mercy University, this one-hour NBCC CE course features Dr. Harvey Payne, Psy.D., Dr. Lisa Klewicki, MAT, Ph.D., and an experienced spiritual director in conversation about the real dynamics of pornography use: its emotional roots, its gender-specific pathways, its devastating effect on marital intimacy, and the team-based approach that supports genuine recovery.

The course is grounded in the Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person (CCMMP), which integrates psychological and theological wisdom without sacrificing the rigor of either. It is designed for licensed counselors, spiritual directors, and pastoral ministers who want to help — and who want the framework to do it well.

Curriculum

  1. Module 1

    Guarding the Gift: Pornography, Gender Differences, and the Restoration of Marital Intimacy

    • 1.Lesson: Pornography, Gender Differences, and the Restoration of Marital Intimacy
Pornography AddictionCompulsive Sexual BehaviorGender Differences in Pornography UseEmotional Roots of PornographyUnmet Emotional NeedsBetrayal TraumaMarital CrisisRelational RepairSexual CompulsionShame ReductionHelp Seeking BarriersRecovery Team Model