On this episode of Melody and Friends, Melody sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Marnie C. Ferree. Marnie is also the founder and director of Bethesda Workshops, a faith-based clinical intensive workshop program for sex addicts, their partners, and couples affected by sexual addiction. Marnie shares her story of growing up with a father who was a pastor that was a sex addict, using both same sex pornography and men to feed his addiction, and ultimately being sexually abused and groomed by one of her father’s sexual partners. She then talks to Melody about the importance of ministering and helping the partners of those addicts and how they can begin their journey to recovering from these traumatic relationships. Our listeners can check out all of the resources Marnie and her team offers over at bethesdaworkshops.org. 

Who is Marnie Ferree?

Marnie C. Ferree is the founder of Bethesda Workshops and has a national reputation as a leader in the field of sexual addiction. She has an active role in every workshop.

In 1997, Marnie established a workshop program for female sex addicts that was the first of its kind, and today draws participants from across the United States and Canada. That program expanded in 2001 to include workshops for male sex addicts, partners, and couples, and it was renamed Bethesda Workshops. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT).

Things We Discuss in this Episode

• The different types of sexual addicts that can show up in relationships. Not all sex addicts look or act the same and Marnie discusses the different types she works with at Bethsda Workshops
• How Marnie recovered from her upbringing of having a sex addict father, being abused by one of her father’s partners, and later her husband who was also addicted to sexually deviant behavior.
• How partners can start their journey of recovery after experiencing the pain of a relationship with an addict and how they can become their best selves after moving on.
• How to recognize as a partner that there is nothing more you can do in a relationship and the healthiest option is for you to leave that partnership. Marnie explains that it takes two healthy people to have a relationship and one person cannot keep that relationship afloat themself.
• The first step as a partner when you recognize your significant other has begun exhibiting addictive behavior is to remember that it is NOT your fault. You will be okay and you can choose health, no matter your partner’s choice. Partners need help even more than the addict.
• How Bethesda Workshops can help both partners and addicts through the struggles of addiction, the heartbreak of discovery, and how to create a safe, impactful recovery journey.