The Gains and Losses of Screen Relations: A Clinical Approach to Simulation Entrapment and Simulation Avoidance in a Case of Excessive Internet Pornography Use

A clinical approach for patient narratives about technologically mediated relationship experiences is described in which working with these "screen relations" involves specific attention both to what is gained and what is lost. Three obstacles to adopting the suggested balanced approach are identified: the absence of an agreed upon descriptive terminology, simulation avoidance making it difficult to see what is gained, and simulation entrapment making it difficult to see what is lost. The issues are clinically illustrated using a young man's screen relations involving extensive use of Internet-based pornography.