General Information

This project focuses on supporting individuals who feel a risk to or use sexual material involving children or adolescents and want to change this behavior. We are a group of therapists and researchers ready to provide this support through our self-help and chat portal. This service is free of charge, anonymous, and secure. Further information about the study can be found in the study information.

Our intervention is based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a systematic approach to addressing problems by examining feelings, thoughts, and behavior patterns. This intervention will be carried out online through the self-help section and/or a therapist chat service.

Online interventions, especially in the form of chats, offer unique advantages, such as the ability to receive help without showing your face or voice, especially in areas with limited services. Some studies show that these interventions are equally effective, while others suggest that one method may be superior to the other. It likely depends on the individual, and in some cases, online support can be highly effective. In our study, we aim to find out whether our chat therapy benefits participants.

This intervention has already been used in other treatment settings, such as in-person therapy. Many participants found it helpful because it addresses various challenges they have faced. Analysis shows that even four sessions in our chat format can bring about positive changes. Participants were able to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of their problematic behavior. At the same time, their overall well-being improved, which helps in maintaining long-term changes and reducing the risk of relapse.

Together, we will explore how you can benefit from this approach and tailor the support to your individual needs.

If you do not agree to the study conditions, do not complete the intake form, or do not meet the inclusion criteria, you cannot participate in the study. However, you will still receive a link to other options if available.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

After completing the questionnaires, you will either start with self-help materials followed by chat sessions or begin with self-help materials and wait for your sessions to be scheduled. In some cases, there may be a waiting period before both the self-help materials and therapy sessions become available.

This process is part of the structure of the study, which aims to discover whether our work as support providers can help you and others more effectively in the future. We want to make this experience as beneficial as possible for you and will guide you through every step.

We meet weekly for 50-minute sessions over a period of two to four weeks.

We have chosen to conduct the intervention via chat in order to create a comfortable anonymous environment for exchange and ensure data security. Video therapy is in principle possible in other settings. Please talk to us, if you are interested. 

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate gender-specific preferences due to language limitations.

Completing the questionnaires is crucial for the study as it helps measure the effectiveness of the interventions and improve future support for peers. In exchange for the free self-help and chat therapy sessions, your participation is highly appreciated.

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

Therapist availability is limited to scheduled sessions.

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

If your therapist is ill, a substitute colleague will reschedule the session. If your therapist is unavailable for more than a few days, we will find a solution to continue your therapy.

You are free to discontinue treatment at any time, but you can always sign up again and contact us to continue your therapy.

You will always receive support, but missing two consecutive appointments 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 find the most appropriate support for you. Our service is not intended for emergency or high-risk situations.

Access to the Troubled Desire resources (self-help) will still be available after the study ends, but formal treatment is limited to the study period. If available, we may also recommend other services to continue.