The Bethany program offers a comprehensive mental health evaluation program for priests, religious and seminarians.  Also, an intensive 3 month outpatient treatment program is available for serious psychological conflicts.  

Dr. Fitzgibbons and the professional staff have over 35 years of successful experience in treating priests, religious and seminarians with depression and loneliness, excessive anger, anxiety, insecurity, narcissism, pornography conflicts and other sexual disorders.

Our Approach

The approaches to the treatment of psychiatric disorders are based on empirically proven methods of psychotherapy, including those in the field of positive psychology. Dr. Fitzgibbons has co-authored a textbook in this field for APA Books, Helping Clients Forgive: An Empirical Guide for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope.  Our process of treatment is also described in chapters and webinars on our website, www.maritalhealing.com and in his publications.  

Our work is respectful of the faith of priests and their deep desire to lead chaste lives.  We view the role of faith as essential in uncovering and resolving deeply rooted emotional and personality conflicts.
 

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Treatment

The current standard for treatment in the mental health field is that psychiatric hospitalization is initiated for those with severe psychiatric disorders that cannot be treated in an outpatient setting.  When necessary it is used for as brief a period as possible.  This recommendation is based upon the best available research which indicates that prolonged psychiatric hospitalization is not in the best interest of patients.

There are numerous benefits to intensive outpatient intervention, including its cost effectiveness. Priests have commented that they have appreciated the benefits of intensive outpatient treatment in which their dignity as priests was protected by avoiding a prolonged psychiatric hospitalization.
 

Pornography treatment

We have offered conferences in a number of dioceses and seminaries on the pornography plague that is causing serious harm to our culture.  Webinars of these conferences can be viewed on our website.  Priests with this conflict have responded to intensive outpatient treatment and follow up with biweekly priests teleconference.  Anonymity is maintained in this group therapy.
 

Safe Environment Education

While excellent programs have been initiated for the crisis in the Church, additional knowledge is important to protect priests and laity.  In particular, an understanding of the conflicts in adult males that lead to attraction to adolescent males, the primary victims of the crisis, and their resolution is needed, as well as the dangers associated with pornography use and selfishness.  
 

Accusations against Priests

In our clinical experience a marked increase in false accusations against priests and religious has occurred in regard to “boundary violations,” inappropriate sexual behavior and excessive anger following the crisis in the Church.  Our expertise in these areas enables us to provide a thorough evaluation of both the priest and his accuser(s).
 

Screening of Candidates for Seminary

In our evaluation of candidates for seminary and religious life we attempt to identify any conflicts that would interfere with the ability to maintain a healthy personality and with healthy self-giving later as a spiritual father and a spouse to the Church.  The conflicts include selfishness, excessive anger, weaknesses in confidence, loneliness, difficulties in trusting and sexual issues.
 

Consultation on Growth in Affirmation in Seminarians/Religious Formation

We offer a long history of successful consultation for seminarians who are struggling with emotional or behavioral conflicts.