In 2020, APSATS was excited to announce the creation of the Barbara Steffens Scholarship fund.

This scholarship stands as a timeless tribute to the pioneering contributions of Dr. Barbara Steffens, a trailblazer in the betrayal trauma perspective. Dr. Steffens played a pivotal role in reshaping our understanding of betrayal trauma by developing the groundbreaking Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (MPTM). This model not only sparked a paradigm shift in the field of betrayal trauma, but continues to serve as a source of hope and healing for betrayed partners across the globe. Dr. Steffens also served as the founding President of the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS). 

This scholarship is a testament to her transformative influence, aiming to recognize her pivotal role in changing the lives of betrayed partners by facilitating the education of those working with them. 

APSATS, guided by its mission to uphold the highest standards of care for coaches and clinicians in the field of betrayal trauma, offers this scholarship to support individuals interested in attending the MPTM who may face financial constraints. The goal is to ensure that the transformative knowledge and skills imparted by the MPTM can reach a broader audience, fostering a community dedicated to providing quality care in the realm of betrayal trauma.

Scholarship Criteria: 

• Betrayed partner who is a single parent and experiencing financial hardship.
• Betrayed partner who is rebuilding their life and experiencing financial hardship.
• Person of Diversity – race, religion, socio-economic, bi-lingual, sexual orientation.
• Person who is working with an underserved population, such as elderly, marginalized, ethnic group, gay partners, male partners.
• Clinical graduate student.

How To Apply:

Please verify your certification/training meets APSATS criteria: 

• If you are a clinician, please make sure you meet the requirements here.
• If you are a coach, you must verify your coach education here.

Once verified, please complete: 

• Read Your Sexually Addicted Spouse by Barbara Steffens and Marsha Means.
• Submit letter of recommendation– from a colleague, peer, faith leader, supervisor, someone who is supportive or knowledgeable of your work with partners of sex addicts.
• If graduate student: Submit verification of school attendance, a copy of your transcript, and a letter of recommendation by a professor.
• Complete the application.