2019 Salt Lake City UCAP Conference


The Essential Self-Care Toolkit for People Dealing with the Harmful Effects of Pornography Use

The Essential Self-Care Toolkit for People Dealing with the Harmful Effects of Pornography Use

Raesha Ismail

It is essential to honor people’s innate ability to adapt when faced with trauma, tragedy, adversity or when experiencing significant stress. We all have the potential and strength to develop a wide range of skills that support our wellbeing in times of hardship. Although societal factors can be detrimental to our wellbeing we can develop the tools required for ourselves to thrive and flourish. For those who are experiencing difficulties, or who are related to someone coping with the harmful impact of pornography, it is essential to develop effective strategies to protect and nurture mental health. These strategies therefore become vital for effective recovery and self-care to occur. This workshop will focus on knowledge, skills and strategies that enhance self-care and all dimensions of wellbeing. Interactive activities will be used to explore the positive management of mental health.

Raesha Ismail has a background in Pre Service Teacher Training and Primary School Teaching. She completed her training in the year 2000 at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand with a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education. Raesha is currently working at the University of Canterbury as a senior tutor within the College of Education, Health and Human Development. She is the Bachelor of Health Science program coordinator.

Raesha has experience teaching mental health, body care and physical safety, food and nutrition and sexuality education in her role as a health educator. She is trained as a coach for Fortify which is an online support community for adults seeking lasting freedom from compulsive pornography use. Raesha facilitates a counseling support group for spouses experiencing betrayal trauma due to virtual infidelity. She has experience facilitating topics for organizations such as the Ministry of Education, high schools and health organizations on the research and education for the impact of online sexual behavior for young people and adults. Raesha has presented research on pornography and the impact on teens for the New Zealand Association of Counseling and a workshop to Shakti Ethnic Women’s Support Group to address the risks Asian, African and Middle Eastern women experience in relation to pornography, consent, sexual behavior and domestic violence. During November 2018 Raesha was presented with a Teaching Excellence award by the teaching and learning committee from the College of Education, Health and Human Development teaching awards 2018.