My House Anti-Pornography Initiative Making New Progress

In 2007 Bishop Finn issued a pastoral letter on the issue of pornography titled, “Blessed are the Pure in Heart.”  The letter provided both clear teaching on this issue and recommendations of what Catholics can do to help those who lives have been hurt by this epidemic. As a result, our diocese began the As For Me and My House initiative (also called My House) to protect families from pornography and provide resources for healing and recovery.

My House is in the process of expanding the number of support groups and has created a new helpline.  Licensed therapist Michael Ciaccio has begun working with the initiative to bring his expertise to this work of healing and hope.  We interviewed him about some of the recent developments with the My House apostolate.
What does My House do/offer?
The My House Initiative offers sound, Catholic one-on-one counseling and group work for men and women struggling with the effects of pornography.  It also helps families become aware of the dangers and educates on ways to keep pornography out of our homes.
What is your role? 
My role as the therapist is to be the “gatekeeper” for the confidential groups by conducting an assessment on a potential group member.  I also offer additional counseling services for the couple or the individual wife or husband.
What led you to do this work? 
After struggling with this issue on my own and finding freedom through the My House Men’s Group conducted by Sam Meier through the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS, a desire grew within me to help men and women struggling with this issue.  I am in the process of obtaining professional training in the Sexual Addiction Treatment Program at Mid-American Nazarene University to more effectively help those seeking freedom.
What do we know about pornography’s effects on men and women? 
The effects on the brain and psychology of a man can destroy his perception of an intimate, meaningful relationship.  More and more wives call my office because of the traumatic effects (feeling of being cheated on) of the disclosure from their husbands due to their use of pornography.
How would you say to the skeptics out there who say a little porn is not a big deal? 
I would ask them how their sex life is.  There is a strong correlation between men who watch pornography and a decreased pleasure from sexual intercourse.  Instead, more intense and sometimes violent pornography ends up being more pleasurable.  This spirals into isolation and loneliness as the spouse is often left to the wayside.
Is there really hope for someone who wants to find freedom and healing from this? 
A priest once told me, “There is always hope.”  The freedom and healing from this is real through a spiritual and sound, psychological perspective.  This initiative’s holistic view of the person is based on theology, psychology and science.  There is always hope.
Michael Ciaccio, M.S., P.L.P.C., answers the My House helpline (816-808-6544) and offers private counseling as part of the My House initiative.  He also offers counseling services including therapy for married couples and individuals.  He is featured on the Catholictherapists.com website atwww.catholictherapists.com/ciaccio/.

Getting the message to those who need it
New My House sharing cards are available starting in January to make it easy for priests and laypeople to spread the good news about this important healing work in our diocese.  Brochures are also available for distribution.