General Information

This project focuses on providing support for people who use sex materials involving children or early adolescents and who want to change this behaviour. We are a group of therapists and researchers ready to offer this support through our chat portal. This service is free of charge, completely anonymous, and secure. You can find more information on the study in the study information.

Our intervention is based on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) principles, a systematic approach to addressing problems by looking at feelings, thoughts and behaviours. This intervention is delivered online via the therapist chat service.

Online interventions, especially chat-based ones, offer unique advantages, such as receiving help without showing your face and voice, particularly in areas with limited services. Some studies show they are equally helpful, while others show that one is superior. Likely, it depends and can be an excellent support for some cases. In our study, we are trying to determine whether our chat therapy benefits our participants.

This intervention has been used in other treatment settings, such as face-to-face therapy. Many of those who received it found it helpful because it focuses on different problems that they experienced. We will collaboratively explore how it can specifically benefit you and adjust to your individual needs.

In addition to our chat service, we have some materials you might find helpful in the self-help section. There, you can find information on different topics that might interest you.

Logistics of the Chat Therapy 

For four weeks, we meet weekly for 50-minute sessions.

We've chosen to keep the intervention chat-based to create a comfortable sharing environment and ensure data security.

Unfortunately, due to language constraints, we can't accommodate gender preferences.

Filling out the questionnaires is vital for the study, helping measure the intervention's effectiveness and improve future support for peers. Your participation is greatly appreciated in exchange for the free therapy sessions.

Behavioural change happens between the sessions, so there will always be something to work on or think to achieve better well-being.

The therapist's availability is confined to scheduled sessions.

In a crisis, please get in touch with your local emergency service or crisis helpline. A comprehensive list of crisis hotlines in the EU can be found on the International Association for Suicide Prevention's website.

In the case of illness, a backup colleague will reschedule the session. If your therapist is unavailable for more than a few days, we’ll find a solution to continue your therapy.

While you're free to drop out, you can always log in and contact us to resume the treatment.

You will always receive ongoing support, but missing two appointments in a row or certain adverse events may lead to the termination of the study. However, this is a collaborative process, and communication about these situations is crucial to finding more suitable support for you. Our chat service is not designed to help with emergencies or high-risk situations.

Access to resources through Troubled Desire is available post-study, but the formal treatment is limited to the study period.