Jared McBride, a.m.,msw

CEO/Founder

CEO and founder of The Steadfast Institute, with a vision and mission of changing the narrative and discussion around pornography use. Jared spent years in the south side of Chicago where he worked for various non profits that served low income at risk black men. He specialized in business development, marketing and branding where he helped non-profits connect their message with diverse marginalized communities. He also worked as a counselor in Chicago where he provided intensive marriage and individual counseling on a wide range of complex matters ranging from infidelity, domestic violence and sexual trauma cases. Jared oversees all program development and implementation for men at The Steadfast Institute.

Jared holds a bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Social Service Administration and Policy from The University of Chicago. He is a social entrepreneur that enjoys social enterprise and creating social impact. His hobbies are local organic farming, paddle boarding, kayaking, playing guitar and being outdoors with his wife and six children.

DR. Julie fraumeni-mcbride, PHD

Director of Research & Development/Founder

Director of Research and development & Co-Founder at The Steadfast Institute- Julie has overseen the implementation of research focus and development specifically designed to better understand and meet the needs of women, men, complex identities, race issues and those with intellectual and mental health impairments such as autism, OCD, bipolar, depression, ADHD, cyclothymia and other conditions who experience problematic pornography use.

Julie holds a PhD from Chapman University in disability studies and education, and a bachelors degree in human development and family life. Julie has presented and published research nationally and internationally relating to disability studies, autism, women, mental health, sex education and problematic pornography use. Her research primarily focuses on female centered problematic pornography use and mental and intellectual impairments/disabilities such as autism, ADHD, depression, etc. Julie completed some of the pioneering research studies focusing primarily on women and problematic pornography use, and developed a pioneering framework which was published in the Journal of Sexual Health and Compulsivity for using evidence based therapy for helping those experiencing sexual compulsivity such as problematic pornography use.

Since publishing the framework, the framework is now being used more widely to address problematic pornography use where traditional and outdated models like 12 step/addiction were ineffective and caused harm for individuals and relationships. Her research further focuses on the disabling effect of pornography on female sexuality, those with disabilities, and how this inevitably effects men and the need for neurodivergent, gender, and culturally inclusive sexuality learning and programming in resolving unwanted pornography use.

Julie takes a critical lens to the current outdated and unfounded therapy practices with widespread issues of misinformation in social media that is contributing to compounding problematic pornography use, marginalizing those with disabilities and mental health impairments, and disrupting healthy sexuality in marriage and family life. The core of her research is grounded in healthy sexuality (including strong foundations for understanding individual gender, orientation and the trajectory of relationship formation and development), which she believes is a core component of healthy human development and relational health. Julie approaches research and program development with a relational health framework, moving away from individualistic approaches that are not concerned with the functions of a marriage and family, in an effort to promote and educate healthy marriages and families as paramount.   Julie oversees the clinical program development, intake and research for the Steadfast Institute.

IG handle: @drfraumenimcbride