Workshops for Men
These workshops are the most affordable and effective workshop 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 therapists 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. He also believes that the growth that takes place at a workshop is more powerful than 6-12 months of individual counseling.
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 therapists, 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.
What are the logistics for attending the workshop?
Cost for the workshop is $895 and does not include food or lodging. 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. You may register on-line by clicking the date of the workshop below. Full payment will be required when you register on-line. If you prefer to make a non-refundable deposit of $100 for any of the workshops or if you would prefer to write a check for your method of payment, please call Sheri at 952-746-3880 to register over the phone or click here to download a registration form which can be mailed or faxed to our center. The balance of your workshop will be due the Monday prior to the start of the workshop.
All of our upcoming workshops are held at our center in Eden Prairie, MN with the exception of the February 18-20, 2010 workshop which will be held in Boca Raton, FL. Our center in Minnesota is located about 20 minutes west of the Minneapolis airport. Click here for Minnesota travel and hotel information. 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.
Our February Men’s Workshop will be held in Boca Raton, Florida hosted by Dr. Brent Gray at the Spanish River Church Counseling Center. Click here for more information about this workshop.
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 date to register on-line)
February 18 - 20, 2010 - Boca Raton, FL location