Statements
Mission
Bethesda Workshops encourages sexual wholeness by ministering to those damaged by sexual sin and addiction. We provide a place of healing where people can begin a process of restoration with God, themselves, with others and within their marriages. We use the best clinical strategies, coupled with Christian principles, to achieve spiritual, emotional, and relational healing for sexual addiction. Bethesda Workshops also provides training for clinical professionals and church leaders who work with sex addicts and their loved ones. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, Bethesda Workshops provides clinical excellence at an affordable price.
Background
Bethesda Workshops has evolved since the first workshop was offered in 1997. The ministry started when Marnie Ferree created an intensive workshop called Healing for Women, which was the first gender-specific treatment program for female sex and love addicts offered in the United States. The workshop model was developed from a similar program created by Eli Machen, MSW, and Mark Laaser, Ph.D., who began conducting workshops for male sex addicts in the early 1990s and added a program for their wives in 1995. In 2001, the Healing for Women program combined with the men's and wives' workshops, which were being offered through other organizations, and the entire sexual addiction workshop ministry came under the direction of Marnie Ferree in conjunction with the Woodmont Hills Counseling Center in Nashville. Bethesda Workshops was chosen as the new name to reflect the core teaching from John 5, "Do you want to get well?"Within a short time Bethesda Workshops had outgrown the Woodmont Hills Counseling Center and became a separate ministry of the Woodmont Hills Church. The ministry quickly grew, and from a small beginning in 1997 of three workshops offered for female sex addicts, the ministry has expanded to a full program of workshops for male sex addicts, partners of sex addicts (both wives and husbands), and couples struggling with sexual addiction. Normally, around 20 different clinical intensives are held each year.In 2011, Bethesda Workshops separated from the Woodmont Hills church to become a non-profit corporation, and in 2012, the ministry was designated as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. This designation allows us to expand our reach to those struggling with sexual addiction through offering intensive help for those in need and training for those who assist them.
Impact
Bethesda Workshops treats close to 400 people each year whose lives have been damaged by sexual addiction. Also, we offer affordable training conferences to teach church leaders, therapists and recovery leaders the signs to recognize sexual addiction and how to be helpful in the treatment process.
Needs
1. We are always looking for donations to increase our Scholarship Fund to be able to assist more participants financially. 2. Funding for additional building renovations to improve workshop and/or admin productivity.
CEO Statement
Bethesda Workshops provides comprehensive intensive treatment for individuals, couples and spouses of individuals who are struggling with pornography, affairs and other types of sexual addiction.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Human Services - Family Counseling |
| Secondary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - Counseling |
| Tertiary Category: | Religion- Related - Christianity |
Areas Served
Clients of Bethesda Workshops are from all across the United States.
| TN - Davidson |
| KY |
| TN |
| National |
