In August, MidAmerica Nazarene University will offer the U.S.'s first Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider Certification Program from a faith-based institution. 

Designed to train postgraduate clinicians, the program's faith-based perspective will help mental health professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively work with those who struggle with sexual addictions. 

Dr. Todd Frye, chair of MNU's Department of Counselor Education, says the inception of the program seems especially timely in the wake of a series of scandals involving sexual addictions among prominent public figures such as New York Congressman Anthony Weiner. 

"An estimated 8 percent of men and 3 percent of women have a sexual addiction, so it's not surprising that public figures are becoming entangled into sexually acting out," Frye said. "The need for specially trained therapists is growing and will continue to grow."

Frye says the university expects to draw mental health professionals from around the U.S. because the demand for training within a faith-based perspective is important to therapists who consider spirituality and faith an important part of the work they do with clients. 

The one-year, 17 credit program will be offered on weekends and online. Courses are once a month on the university's Olathe, Kansas, campus, by expert faculty who are handpicked from across the U.S. 

Frye said students can expect the latest and greatest training in faith-based sexual addictions treatment. 

"It will not be unusual for the textbook in the class to be authored by the faculty teaching the class," he added.

Prominent sexual addictions therapist Dr. Mark Laaser of Faithful and True Ministries appreciates MidAmerica's innovation in offering the program.

"MNU is leading the nation in setting up this first university-based training program which emphasis faith integration into the sexual addictions treatment arena," Laaser said. "I receive inquiries every week from therapists who ask where they should go to be trained in this area. I am thankful now to have a place to refer them."

Frye and his colleagues hope to expand the program globally in the near future.

"It's not just here that we have this problem," Frye said. "I'm speaking at a conference in the Philippines this fall and will address the issue prevalence in Asian nations and around the world."

Plans include eventually offering the program completely online so that practitioners anywhere can receive the training.

For more information about the Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider Certification Program, visit www.mnu.edu/master-counseling/sexual-addictions.
--MidAmerica Nazarene University