A behavioral or situational analysis helps to identify and change recurring patterns of harmful, problematic, or simply unwanted behavior. When we talk about behavior, we usually mean sexual behavior by adults that affects children, such as sexual assault against children or the use of images of abuse. If this does not apply to you, you can also use the situational analysis for any other behavior that you would like to change.

The Guide for a Situational Analysis 

is applied by focusing on what happens before, during, and after the problematic behavior and is meant to identify your reaction pattern in a situation where problematic behavior occurs. This allows you to break down the behavioral cycle more effectively and identify opportunities for change at each stage. 

Here's how you can apply the model step-by-step:

Before the Problematic Behavior

Before the behavior occurs, you're typically faced with certain triggers or situations that lead to it. This phase is crucial for prevention and change, as you can often intervene before the behavior even starts.

Example:

If you're prone to watch sexual images of children, the "before" might be when you receive a large work task that feels overwhelming. Your thoughts could be, “This is too much for me,” and you feel anxiety starting to rise and the thoughts about it won’t go away after you’ve reached home. The situation is a large task at work with a looming deadline and you being at home with access to media.

Strategies to Change Before the Behavior 

(medium effort / highly recommended)

Modify the Situation 

Change the environment or your routine to minimize the chances of the problematic behavior. For example, break the task into smaller, more manageable chunks and create a clear plan of action.

Challenge your Thoughts

When you start having negative or overwhelming thoughts, pause and try to reframe them. Instead of thinking, “This is too much,” think, “I’ll focus on just one small step first.”

Try Emotional Regulation

Practice calming techniques or go for an activity before the behavior, such as deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, listening to your favorite music, challenging your body with sports  or spend time with other people, talking to them. Being occupied with some other pleasant activities will reduce the thought cycles and the wish to cope with stress by consuming sexual material.

During the Problematic Behavior

Looking at the moment when the behavior begins to unfold, it's again important to focus on your actions, thoughts, emotions and body sensations in the moment. This is the stage where you're actively engaging with the behavior, and it's the time to learn and understand what drives you and leads it to feel so compelling and irresistible that you neither intervene nor redirect your response. Any problematic behavior usually comes with a high personal short-term benefit and the large amount of effort to change it needs to be acknowledged.

This can help you to reduce defensiveness and resistance, as you are not denying that the behavior provides some relief or reward in the short term. Instead, you validate your experience, even though you are doing something problematic.

Example:

After receiving the large work task, and your thoughts are, "I can’t do this," the thoughts are still present after reaching home. Your mind will automatically recommend something that will relieve you and make you forget the workload. Driven by something that seems irresistible, you find yourself in a moment of watching sexual images. You are in the tunnel that relaxes your body from all the tension and makes you forget about all the overwhelming tasks at work. Although the behavior is harmful, it is an amazing and pleasant feeling and may seem irreplaceable.

Strategies to Change During the Behavior 

(advanced but not impossible)

Interrupt the behavior and shift your attention 

As soon as you notice you’re engaging in the problematic behavior, have something strong to interrupt. 

Remember: Using CSAM or sexual images starts after your decision to do it, when you are starting your device, typing in search terms or web addresses you know.

Use a coping mechanism 

like pause for 10 seconds (asking yourself: "What am I doing and how do I feel about it?"), choosing to masturbate without images, eating a chili pepper, going for a brief walk, taking a few deep breaths, or doing a quick stretch to break the pattern. 

Interrupting in the moment of sexual arousal is an advanced technique and usually a strong counter is needed to interrupt the impulse – so be aware of how you feel and that a few deep breaths or a quick stretch might not be enough.

After the Problematic Behavior

If you have engaged in the behavior and it’s over, it's important to reflect on the consequences, how you think and feel and how the situation unfolds. This phase helps you understand the long-term outcomes and guides future interventions. Thinking about the consequences of behaviour is usually the easier task and the state that prevails between two undesirable events. This is the stage that initiates the motivation to change and comes with a lot of negative feelings, such as shame and guilt. Don’t invest all of your time into thinking about what’s happening after the problematic behavior. It’s much more important to focus on the stages before it occurs and the pattern that is drawing you in. 

A relapse is sometimes a part of recovery and a chance to learn more, but shouldn’t become an actively used tool for learning about yourself. Although a relapse can happen the maximum effort should go in preventing it. 

Example:

After using sexual images, you might feel temporary relief, but later, you feel stressed and guilty for stumbling into your unwanted behavioral pattern again. This creates a negative cycle of avoidance and using material for sexual stimulation to cope with your feelings.

Strategies to Change After the Behavior:

Reflect on the consequences 

After the behavior, take a moment to assess how you feel and what the consequences are. Understanding the negative impact (like increased guilt or distance to people you love) can motivate you to put more effort into avoiding the behavior next time. 

"What are some of the costs of continuing this behavior, and how do you feel about those consequences?"

Acknowledge how the behavior can provide immediate emotional relief. 

Be empathetic and forgiving with yourself to explore why the behavior seems appealing despite long-term negative consequences. “It makes sense that I would do that, because it feels good in the moment.”

Dealing with setbacks 

Change is a process and part of recovery – how can I support myself if I relapse? How can I learn from setbacks instead of judging myself?

Celebrate a Farewell party 

Behavioral change may involve sacrifice and saying goodbye to easily accessible short-term pleasures, and it takes a lot of strength. Having the strength to resist can be something to be proud of and feel good about, reinforcing the positive trend towards conscious decisions against harmful behavior. A ritual or a party can help to celebrate your strength and say goodbye for ever.

Appreciate small victories 

If you were able to intervene and stop using, even for a short time, celebrate that progress. Reinforce positive outcomes, like feeling a sense of accomplishment or calm after taking small steps toward the goal.

Learn and adjust

Use the insights gained from this experience to adjust your strategies moving forward. For example, if the unwanted behavior led to increased guilt, make it a goal to resist earlier next time to avoid a similar cycle.

Identify your own reasons for change and write down how changing the behavior would improve your personal life, your satisfaction, your self-image and align with your personal values. Think about where you are and where you want to be.

Create new routines

• What alternatives could I try to fulfill my needs?
• How could I cope with stress, loneliness or boredom differently?
• Which healthy activities will make me feel good in the short term?
• Which activities or social interactions could bring me more fulfillment in the long term?