Workshops for Men
These workshops are the most affordable and effective workshops for those dealing with addictive and compulsive sexual behavior. Men’s Workshops are three day events of teaching and small group interaction led by Dr. Mark Laaser, the Christian leader in the field. The focus of the workshop is not just about strategies to stop acting out behaviors but on understanding the individual wounds and thought patterns that drive them. We seek to help men grow emotionally and spiritually. It is only in a relationship with God that any of us can truly heal.
The workshop format is flexible, depending on the needs of the group (which can range from 10 to 25 men), but includes a mixture of lecture, group discussion, and individual reflection time and assignments. Participants break into smaller groups, with each group led by a trained facilitator. Mark Laaser is the primary workshop presenter. Greg Miller and additional counselors also participate in workshop sessions depending upon the size of the group.
Who should go to the workshop?
These workshops are for men struggling with sexual behaviors that they are having trouble stopping. These men may or may not see themselves as sexual “addicts” (a term that is often misunderstood). Men at workshops may be dealing with a wide variety of sexual behaviors — ranging from fantasy, pornography use, and masturbation to affairs, sexual encounters, and a wide variety of fetish behaviors. We will work with men who are struggling with homosexual attraction, but our focus is on the addictive sexual behaviors and not with issues of orientation. As we say, the symptoms or manifestations of sexual struggle may vary but the underlying spiritual and emotional issues and recovery processes are universal.
The workshops are great both for people who are new to recovery or for those who have been in recovery for various lengths of time and who, for different reasons, haven’t yet been able to achieve successful sobriety. Some may also come who are looking for added insights and awareness. Click here for testimonials from past workshop participants. Dr. Laaser firmly believes that the workshops have been transformational in the lives of almost all who come.
Why should I go? How will this workshop help me?
At the workshop, you will learn about the spiritual, emotional, and physical basis for addiction. You will be helped to understand the inter-relationship between sexual sin, bondage, and addiction. You will learn all this in the context of a supportive environment, surrounded by men who understand your struggle, because they have been there themselves. Most importantly, you will leave with not only a new resolve, but a practical plan for recovery.
The workshop will bring you much more than new insight. If all we needed for recovery was more knowledge, reading books about recovery would be enough to solve the problem. Obviously, that is not the case. We need guidance and support that can only come in the context of honest and open interactions. The workshop size is limited to around 20 participants (with significant time spent in smaller groups of around five participants). This small size allows ample time for questions and discussion, even in the large group presentations. Keep in mind that unlike other programs, we offer an intensive workshop, not just a seminar.
Here is our promise: Due to the focused and intensive nature of the workshop, as well as the expertise of the presenters and counselors, attendees make great strides forward in their recovery. In fact, almost without exception, men who attend will describe this workshop as “life-changing.” Our experience is that men make more progress in the three day workshop than they make from 6 to 12 months of weekly therapy with an individual counselor.
What if I’m a counselor? Will referring people to this workshop compete with what I am trying to do in our individual work?
We work very hard to ensure that our teaching and treatment recommendations will build on the work that men are doing with the therapists who refer them to us. We see ourselves as partners, not competitors with individual therapists. Our goal is to enhance the therapy process, increasing insight and motivation to work toward ongoing recovery. Men who come back from the workshop will be much more motivated to do the internal work they need to do to make change happen in their lives and marriages.
The Recovery Room: We are pleased to offer a new opportunity to further your experience with us called “The Recovery Room”. This is a post-workshop event that will be held on the Saturday and Sunday following the conclusion of each men’s workshop. Click here for more information. Please note that there will be no Recovery Room held at the February 23–25, 2012 workshop.
What are the logistics for attending the workshop?
Cost for the workshop is $995. Meals and lodging will be at your own expense. Contact Sheri Trautmann, our Administrative Assistant, by calling 952-746-3880 if you have questions about the workshop or click here for frequently asked questions.
Registration options are as follows:
- You may reserve your spot for a workshop by calling Sheri to make a $300 non-refundable deposit. The balance for your registration will be due the Monday before the workshop begins.
- You may download a registration form by clicking here. This form can be faxed or mailed to our center.
- You may register online by clicking on the workshop date below. Payment in full is required to register online. Cancellation policy for online registration where full fees have been received: You will receive a refund of $695 ($995 less the $300 non-refundable deposit) if we are notified at least one week prior to the start of the workshop. If we are notified later than one week prior to the start of the workshop, there will be no refund of registration fees.
The majority of our workshops are held at our center in Eden Prairie, MN. The February 23-25, 2012 workshop will be held at the Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, FL. Click here for more information about our February workshop in Boca Raton, FL. Click here for Eden Prairie, MN travel and hotel information. Our center in Minnesota is located about 20 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. There are a variety of hotels to choose from in the Eden Prairie area. You will receive a welcome letter indicating hotels available in the area. If you would like to “buddy up” with someone for added accountability and cost savings (on hotel room and car rental), let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
The daily schedule for each workshop is as follows:
Thursday 8:45 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dates for upcoming workshops:
Click on dates below to register online:
February 23-25, 2012 - Location for this workshop will be in Boca Raton, FL