Because Theotherapy is a ministry and those who volunteer are not licensed counselors, we feel that they need to have extensive training to prepare them to facilitate. We chose the name "facilitator" because they are trained to facilitate what the Holy Spirit is doing in a person's life.

The facilitator training course is a 75 classroom hour course designed to help the person in training to be well versed in basic issues they will face in facilitating a person in need (PIN). It consists of lectures, reading, homework assignments as well as personal processing of issues.

Personal processing of issues is the most important element of the training. We can't give what we haven't received. Many who enter the helping fields do so to meet their own needs. As a person in training works through their issues they come to know God more intimately, develop faith that God will show up for them and receive comfort. As 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 says, we comfort with the comfort we have been comforted with. We discourage receiving more head knowledge that keeps the principles and relationship with God on an intellectual level rather than a heart level. We have had many professional counselors, psychologists and social workers attend our seminars to deal with their own conflicts.

In order to take the facilitator training course, a PIN must attend at least one regular weekend seminar before enrolling. They are encouraged to attend other seminars during their training in order to have as many opportunities to process their own conflicts as possible.

The training is typically held over 5 months, one weekend a month, in each of the areas where we are currently ministering. We hold one facilitator training course a year in each of the areas.

Once a person has completed the facilitator training course they may choose not to go on to become a facilitator. That is fine. It is a calling. Although, we find that those who have received help automatically begin to help others, even informally. If, upon completion of the course, a person decides they want to become an approved facilitator they must make application to the ministry for approval. They will then begin to assist another facilitator for the practical training aspect of the course. It is a "hands on" experience to learn to facilitate.

Once a facilitator is approved to facilitate they will work as a co-facilitator after assisting. Only the more seasoned are designated as a lead facilitator.

In order to continue facilitating a facilitator must complete two continuing education events a year and facilitate at seminars to remain active. They must also make a commitment to continue to process their conflicts as God reveals them. Every facilitator has to have a facilitator they are in relationship with for handling their own processing. If at some point a facilitator begins to become lax in dealing with their issues they may be removed from active facilitating until they have resolved their conflicts.

Facilitating is a serious ministry charge. We are often reminded that we are to deal with PIN's as if we were given the responsibility of handling the broken body of Christ, as we take him down from the cross.

Theotherapy typically holds full weekend seminars in an area only three to four times a year. In areas where a work has been established and facilitators are available support groups are soon established. These support groups meet once a week. In some areas one week a month is dedicated to facilitators while the other three weeks are open to anyone who has attended at least one regular weekend seminar. The support groups are led by seasoned facilitators and are established to give persons in need (PIN's) the opportunity to continue to process issues they face in day-to-day life. Many of the groups also include a short teaching to continue to lay foundation for the work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

A study guide is currently under development for one of Dr. Rivera's books to enable trained Theotherapy facilitators to bring the principles of the ministry to small groups in their local congregations.

For information on support groups in your area contact the local office near you. You can find a list of our locations here