As part of its mission to educate professionals about sexual addiction, co-addiction and associated marital and family issues, Bethesda Workshops allows approved clinical or pastoral professionals to obtain training by observing a workshop.

Description of the Experience

Observing a Bethesda Workshop is a hands on experience rather than an academic one. Instead of sitting in lectures, observers witness the treatment process in action. An observer attends all teaching segments, observes a small group led by a Bethesda staff person, and joins the workshop facilitators for meals and staffing. Individual instruction is not part of the Therapist Observer program.

Certification and CEUs

Observing a Bethesda Workshop earns 35 hours toward the education requirement as a Certified Sexual Addiction Specialist through the International Board of Christian Counselors (IBCC). Observing does not count toward any of the required hours of clinical supervision. [For more information about this certification, see www.ibccglobal.com.]

While Bethesda Workshops is at times a NBCC (National Board of Certified Counselors) education provider for seminars and conferences, the Therapist Observer program is not specifically covered as a Continuing Education Unit event. However, because all instruction is provided by licensed clinicians, a number of state boards have approved CEU hours for observers. It is the clinician’s responsibility to request approval from his or her state board and submit any required paperwork. Bethesda can provide documentation of attendance upon request.

Requirements for Observers

The Therapist Observer will be in a spectator role during his or her participation at a workshop. The Bethesda Workshops staff maintains clinical responsibility for all participants and each small group.

Observers are encouraged to interact freely with the staff anytime clients are not present. An observer may ask questions, make observations or process anything outside of group. An observer will refrain from any question or comment during lectures or activities, and he/she will exercise caution while sharing in the small group and accept the direction of the Bethesda small group leader. An observer must be careful to avoid any clinical intervention, which is the responsibility of the Bethesda staff.

The Bethesda Workshops executive director reserves the right to ask a Therapist Observer to leave if he/she is personally unready to process the workshop experience or unable to maintain the stated boundaries. In the event a Therapist Observer is asked to withdraw from the workshop, he/she will still be responsible for paying all fees associated with his/her participation as a Therapist Observer.

The Bethesda Workshops staff may have a closed staff meeting, meaning a Therapist Observer is not present. The staff may also engage in some additional activity limited to staff only. Observers will be notified of closed staff activities.

Limitations of Endorsement

Participation as a Therapist Observer does not imply endorsement by Bethesda Workshops. Certification or endorsement for Christian clinicians is granted through IBCC (International Board of Christian Counselors). A Therapist Observer may only claim he or she has participated in the Bethesda Workshops Therapist Observer program.

Cost of Observing a Bethesda Workshop

Attending a workshop provides approximately 35 contact hours of clinical education. The experience is comparable to a “valued added” Patrick Carnes’ secular CSAT training,* because it adds observing the actual treatment process on top of receiving clinical instruction. The following fees are required to observe a Bethesda Workshop:

$500.00 Therapist Observer participation fee (includes all meals)

$200.00 On-site lodging at workshop hotel (optional)

Price is for single occupancy. If there is another Therapist Observer and both are willing to share a room, the lodging fee is reduced to $100.00. Potential facilitators – those who are observing a workshop as the first step in applying to join the Bethesda staff – are required to stay on-site.

Half of the total fee (participation fee plus lodging, if applicable) is due before arriving at the workshop. If desired, the remaining half payment may be delayed until 30-60 days after the workshop.

[*As a point of reference, the first level of Dr. Patrick Carnes' CSAT training is well over twice that amount, excluding lodging and meals.]

Application Process

An individual may observe a Bethesda Workshop only by permission of the Bethesda Director.

After the application form is accepted, you will be contacted and your payment will be processed, a Therapist Observer will receive the Packet of Information and all other paperwork sent to workshop participants so that the observer will be aware of the complete process.

Click here for an application. »

Additional Requirements for Bethesda Workshop Staff Applicants

Any clinician interested in applying for a staff position with Bethesda must first sit in as a Therapist Observer and therefore must meet all the associated requirements and parameters. In addition, the following conditions must be met before observing a workshop:

Must have at least one year’s experience leading sex addiction or co-addiction groups

Must have at least two years of uninterrupted personal sobriety if in recovery from addiction or co-addiction

Must have attended at least six months of weekly 12 Step meetings (May attend a mixture of open AA and Al-Anon meetings if not personally in SA recovery)

Must have completed a course of personal therapy with a clinical professional

Must tell his or her story to the workshop staff

Must stay on-site with the workshop staff (even if living within driving distance)

Must submit a resume

Must provide personal references

1. Personal current or former therapist

2. Clergy reference

Must provide clinical references

1. Current clinical supervisor (if applicable) or a clinical colleague

2. Clinical professor of highest graduate degree program if completed within the last 3 years

After attending a Bethesda Workshop as a Therapist Observer, the executive director may invite a clinician to intern at a workshop by co-leading a group with a Bethesda staff person. After successfully completing an internship, a clinician may be invited to facilitate a small group as the need arises.