For Professionals

Description of the Experience

Observing a workshop is a “value added” experience on top of academic training, because observers witness how the clinical principles are put into action. Instead of only listening to lectures, observers witness the treatment process itself. An observer attends all teaching segments, observes a small group led by a Bethesda Workshops leader, and joins the workshop facilitators for meals and staffing. Individual instruction is not part of the Therapist Observer program.

An Observer will receive all the registration paperwork that participants complete, along with follow-up messages from Bethesda Workshops after the event so that the Observer experiences the Healing Workshop process from beginning to end.

Certification and CEUs

Observing a Bethesda Workshop earns 35 clock hours of continuing education. While Bethesda Workshops is at times an 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. Observing does not count toward any of the required hours of clinical supervision.

Parameters 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 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.  A Therapist Observer may only claim he or she has participated in the Bethesda Workshops Therapist Observer program.

Cost of Observing Bethesda Workshops

$600 – Therapist Observer participation fee (includes all meals).
$125 – Lodging per night at workshop hotel (optional)

The per-night lodging fee is for single occupancy and is direct billed to Bethesda Workshops. An observer is charged for the stay the week after the workshop. Half of the observer fee is a non-refundable deposit required at registration. If desired, the remaining half payment may be delayed until 30 days after the workshop.

Registration Process

You must observe an individual workshop (Healing for Men (male sex addicts), Healing for Women (female sex addicts) or Healing for Partners (those in a significant relationship with a sex addict) before you can observe a Healing for Couples workshop.

Only male observers are allowed at a Healing for Men workshop; only female observers are allowed at a Healing for Women workshop; and both genders may observe Healing for Partners workshop (males may observe if male participants and a male staff member are also present) and Healing for Couples workshops.

Applicants who met the criteria are registered on a first come-first serve basis. Only one observer may sit in on a small group, which limits the number that can attend any one workshop.

Register Online

As our sexually saturated culture brings into the public eye the problem of pornography and other forms of sexual acting out, more people and their partners are seeking help for sex addiction. As a clinician, pastor, physician or support group leader, you are uniquely positioned to guide or assist the healing process. Are you equipped?

Learn Proper Tools

Today, the sex addiction field has evolved enough that excellent training is available.  The CSAT program (Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist), developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes and offered through the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), is considered the gold standard in the field. Clinicians who want to specialize in this area are highly encouraged to obtain this kind of specific, rigorous training.

IITAP has also developed a training for clergy called the Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional. This two-part training equips clergy to respond appropriately to the needs of Christians who seek their advice for issues related to sexual addiction. Visit www.iitap.com for information about either the CSAT or PSAP program.

Bethesda Workshops provides training for clinicians, pastors and lay helpers. Our Therapist Observer program allows professionals to sit in on an actual treatment workshop. We also offer teaching conferences, CEU events, and church seminars.

Unfortunately, many Christian helpers are ill-equipped to address sexual addiction or to help partners of sex addicts. Standard approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and using scripture alone are rarely effective. In fact, uninformed Christian counseling often adds to the sufferer’s shame and makes the problem worse. Appropriate training is vital.

Most often – and most damaging – is the error of addressing only the sin component of sexual addiction. Sex addicts already know their behavior is wrong, and they’ve already prayed to be free. Motivating addicts through guilt never works long-term. Exhortations to “Just stop!” or “pray more” only add to the person’s shame. Shame, in turn, further fuels the addiction.

Helpful professionals understand that sexual addiction is a complicated issue. It is multi-faceted problem requiring a multi-faceted approach that covers all the components of this disease: physical, mental, emotional, and relational, as well as spiritual.

Next, untrained helpers often only focus on the specific acting out behavior(s) and ignore the deeper issues. Arresting behavior is the first treatment task, but it’s only the beginning. The sex or relationship addict must uncover, understand, and heal from the underlying issues that drive the behavior. A trauma-based approach (one that examines woundedness and false core beliefs) is essential.

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