Women Who Stray

Sex

Is There a Link Between Animated Pornography and Pedophilia?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on May 10, 2023

Does animated pornography affect sexual development, or reflect sexual interest in children? Research suggests it more likely reflects existing personal characteristics.

Does animated pornography affect sexual development, or reflect sexual interest in children? Research suggests it more likely reflects existing personal characteristics.

Pedophilia OCD

Can Sex Dolls Prevent Criminal Sexual Behavior?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 22, 2023

As more laws are passed prohibiting the ownership of child sex dolls, what does research tell us about the owners of these dolls?

As more laws are passed prohibiting the ownership of child sex dolls, what does research tell us about the owners of these dolls?

Sex

Do Sex and Orgasm Impact Athletic Performance?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on March 20, 2023

Jake Paul recently blamed a boxing loss on having a wet dream the night before. Is this plausible? If not, what's really going on?

Jake Paul recently blamed a boxing loss on having a wet dream the night before. Is this plausible? If not, what's really going on?

Sex

Pressure to Abstain From Porn Use May Mean Mental Distress

David J. Ley Ph.D. on February 23, 2023

New research finds that participating in online masturbation abstinence forums may have a negative effect on emotional and sexual health.

New research finds that participating in online masturbation abstinence forums may have a negative effect on emotional and sexual health.

Sex

How Therapists Can Support Their Sex Worker Clients

David J. Ley Ph.D. on January 30, 2023

Sex workers don't always share their profession with their therapists out of fear of judgment or shame. This is what therapists can do to better support them.

Sex workers don't always share their profession with their therapists out of fear of judgment or shame. This is what therapists can do to better support them.

Trauma

Does EMDR Cause False Memories?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

An Italian psychologist went to jail for using EMDR and suggestive techniques to create false memories of abuse. What role did EMDR play?

An Italian psychologist went to jail for using EMDR and suggestive techniques to create false memories of abuse. What role did EMDR play?

Sex

Is Porn-Filtering Software Ineffective and Insecure?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Porn accountability and filtering/blocking software have no evidence of effectiveness and may expose users to increased shame and security risks.

Porn accountability and filtering/blocking software have no evidence of effectiveness and may expose users to increased shame and security risks.

Sex

Beware of Creeps Requesting Video Consults

David J. Ley Ph.D. on November 3, 2022

Is this person wanting therapy for sexuality issues, or are they pretending, so they can exploit a therapist who is just trying to help?

Is this person wanting therapy for sexuality issues, or are they pretending, so they can exploit a therapist who is just trying to help?

Trauma

Can You Develop a Trauma Bond Attachment as a Result of Abuse?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

The concepts of trauma bonding and Stockholm syndrome are extremely inconsistently defined.

The concepts of trauma bonding and Stockholm syndrome are extremely inconsistently defined.

Vagus Nerve

Polyvagal Theory—Useful Narrative but Still Just a Theory

David J. Ley Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Polyvagal Theory is the latest in a long string of psychological fads that are popularized in advance of strong empirical data. Here are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using PVT.

Polyvagal Theory is the latest in a long string of psychological fads that are popularized in advance of strong empirical data. Here are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using PVT.

Attention

The Mystery of Lost Periods During the Holocaust

David J. Ley Ph.D. on August 19, 2022

Why did so many women stop menstruating when they were put in concentration camps? And why has it taken so long for someone to ask about it?

Why did so many women stop menstruating when they were put in concentration camps? And why has it taken so long for someone to ask about it?

Sex

Why Some Men Share Naked Pictures of Their Wives

David J. Ley Ph.D. on August 13, 2022

In recent news, Trump insider Alex Jones is revealed to have sent nude photos of his wife to political adviser Roger Stone. Why do men share nude images of their female partners?

In recent news, Trump insider Alex Jones is revealed to have sent nude photos of his wife to political adviser Roger Stone. Why do men share nude images of their female partners?

Therapy

2 Things Most Therapists Do but Shouldn’t

David J. Ley Ph.D. on July 7, 2022

Therapists can sometimes inadvertently violate confidentiality and ethical boundaries through informal conversations with friends and family.

Therapists can sometimes inadvertently violate confidentiality and ethical boundaries through informal conversations with friends and family.

Sex

How Becoming a Sex Therapist Affects Personal Relationships

David J. Ley Ph.D. on June 2, 2022

Becoming a sex therapist involves training and education that can impact a therapist's own personal intimate relationships.

Becoming a sex therapist involves training and education that can impact a therapist's own personal intimate relationships.

Sex

Watching Porn May Increase Sexual Arousal With a Real Partner

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 26, 2022

Does watching porn make you less likely to get aroused with a real partner? Research testing couples in a lab finds that porn use actually predicts higher sex arousal.

Does watching porn make you less likely to get aroused with a real partner? Research testing couples in a lab finds that porn use actually predicts higher sex arousal.

Sexual Abuse

Misuse and Abuse of the Term Grooming Hurts Victims

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 10, 2022

The exploitation of the term "grooming" has risks.

The exploitation of the term "grooming" has risks.

Sex

Sex Workers and Persons With Disabilities

David J. Ley Ph.D. on March 10, 2022

Many persons with disabilities find that seeing sex work providers is an avenue to access often safe, affirmative, and healthy sexual expression.

Many persons with disabilities find that seeing sex work providers is an avenue to access often safe, affirmative, and healthy sexual expression.

Sex

Why Cuckolding Has Become More Mainstream

David J. Ley Ph.D. on January 20, 2022

As discussion of cuckolding has become more mainstream, we are seeing shifts in how it is practiced. Female and sexual minority voices are being empowered.

As discussion of cuckolding has become more mainstream, we are seeing shifts in how it is practiced. Female and sexual minority voices are being empowered.

Hypnosis

What Is Erotic Hypnosis—and Does It Work?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on January 17, 2022

Erotic hypnosis may offer ways to embrace suggestibility to erotic arousal and overcome shame and disgust.

Erotic hypnosis may offer ways to embrace suggestibility to erotic arousal and overcome shame and disgust.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Male Sexual Dysfunction and COVID-19

David J. Ley Ph.D. on January 3, 2022

A growing body of literature suggests that males, most at-risk for COVID, are also at great risk of experiencing lingering sexual dysfunction as result of infection.

A growing body of literature suggests that males, most at-risk for COVID, are also at great risk of experiencing lingering sexual dysfunction as result of infection.