Our Faculty

We are proud to have such distinguished faculty. Students at ISW will learn from some of the best in our field.

Click on the links to learn more about our faculty. Keep an eye on this page as we add more in the future.

• James Childerston, Ph.D.
• William Cutrer, M.D.
• Mark Laaser, Ph.D.
• Clifford Penner, Ph.D., and Joyce Penner, M.N.
• Douglas Rosenau, Ed.D.
• Michael Sytsma, Ph.D.
• Debra Taylor, M.A.
• Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D.

James Childerston, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified in Psychopharmacology and Medical Psychology by the Academy of Medical Psychology. He is co-author, with Rick Ghent, of Purity & Passion: Authentic Male Sexuality. Jim specializes in premenstrual, perimenopausal and menopausal concerns, psycho-pharmacology, sexual pharmacology, and sexuality & singleness.

William Cutrer, M.D., is an obstetrician/gynecologist who specialized in the treatment of infertility. A Dallas Theological Seminary graduate (MA/BS) and an ordained pastor, he is currently Associate Professor of Bioethics and Spiritual Formation and Gheens Chair of Family Ministry at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. Bill has authored several books including Sexual Intimacy in Marriage and Sexuality and Reproductive Technologies.

Mark Laaser, Ph.D., authored the first book on sexual addiction in the Christian community (Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction) as well as
7 other books and numerous articles. A popular international speaker, Dr. Laaser has created several treatment programs. He and is wife, Debbie, lead Faithful and True Ministries whose mission is to help those affected by sexual addiction.

Clifford Penner, Ph.D., and Joyce Penner, M.N., are internationally recognized sexual therapists, educators and authors. They work together as a team:

• Counseling with couples
• Teaching sex education within various school systems
• Leading sexual enhancement weekends for couples
• Lecturing on human sexuality at universities
• Training fellow professionals

Clifford, a clinical psychologist, received a B.A. from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, earned an M.A. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and holds a Ph.D. from Fuller's Graduate School of Psychology. Joyce - a registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist, holds a B.S. in nursing from the University of Washington. Her master's degree in psychosomatic nursing and nursing education is from UCLA.

Douglas Rosenau, Ed.D., is a Licensed Psychologist, Marriage & Family Therapist, and Diplomate of the American Board of Sexology (ABS). Another pioneer in Christian sex therapy, Doug is the best-selling author of A Celebration of Sex. He is a full clinical member of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), and he teaches Human Sexuality as an adjunct professor at Reformed Theological Seminary and PSI.

Michael Sytsma, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor near Atlanta, Georgia. He is also an ordained Wesleyan minister, having served on pastoral staff for several years. He is President of Building Intimate Marriages, Inc. where he provides marriage and sex therapy and conducts marriage enrichment workshops and retreats throughout the U.S. Michael's AAMFT approved Ph.D. focused on marital sexual therapy, especially sexual desire issues. He teaches Human Sexuality at several schools including PSI, Reformed Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary.

Debra Taylor, M.A., is a Marriage & Family Therapist certified in sex therapy by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). She has taught Human Sexuality at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is a co-author of Secrets of Eve: Understanding the Mystery of Female Sexuality. Debra specializes in womenÍs issues including hormonal imbalance, infertility, body image, anorgasmia, and desire disorders.

Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Regent University. He is a core faculty member in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology where he teaches Human Sexuality, Ethics, and Family Therapy. Mark is co-author of Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research in the Church's Moral Debate.

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