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To explore the history of IITAP (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals), we must first look at the history of CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist). As the result of publishing Out of the Shadows in the early 1980s, public awareness of sexual compulsivity and addiction dramatically increased. Dr. Carnes began appearing on television and radio and making personal appearances all over America. He soon earned the reputation of being the leading expert on this disorder in the entire world.
Consumers (addicts and their families) began looking for help in unprecedented numbers. As a demonstration of competence, many therapists began claiming "I've been trained by Patrick Carnes". This so called training ranged from the extreme of following Dr. Carnes all over the country attending every event he presented to attending a single 90-minute lecture. Some of the professionals claiming expertise were qualified experts. Others lacked the skill necessary to treat addiction in general and certainly not the even more complex disorder of sex addiction. In order to protect the public, uniform quality standards were necessary.
CSAT evolved from this background. Dr. Carnes designed a training program based on academic study, experiential training, supervision, and testing competence. The training created a group of qualified specialists providing uniform quality treatment throughout the United States and Canada, as well as countries all over the world.
As the number of CSATs grew, so did administrative needs. At first the institution where Dr. Carnes provided inpatient treatment provided many of those administrative services. However, it became apparent that the training program's needs were more than the institution was willing or able to provide. Dr. Carnes then decided that, if CSATs were going to be given the educational opportunities he had envisioned, then a training "institute" had to be created to house the CSAT program and all the programs yet to be developed.
IITAP became the new organization to administer CSAT. As our members know, there were many growing pains along the way. These include difficulty in collecting data, disagreements at the corporate board level, personnel changes, and even the theft of all of our computers just when we were reaching a level of maturity in the Institute. All this is behind us now. The choice to retain control of CSAT was a good decision, and the benefits will continue to evolve for both our members and consumers.
For additional information, we encourage you to visit the Gentle Path and Sex Help websites.
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