Haggards to leave Colorado, pursue psychology degrees

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 6, 2007 at midnight

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Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard and his wife are leaving Colorado to pursue psychology degrees while he continues therapy for sexual addiction.

"It's not like he's heading out of town tomorrow," said H.B. London Jr., head of the restoration team formed to help Haggard after the pastor admitted in November to sexual immorality involving a male prostitute and drug purchases.

London said it could be up to 90 days before the Haggards leave.

In an e-mail made public Sunday, Haggard said he and his wife, Gayle, have been offered "affordable" places to live in both Missouri and Iowa while they pursue online master's degrees in psychology.

"Jesus is starting to put me back together," Haggard wrote. Despite being "paralyzed by shame," he said, the help of God and three weeks of intensive therapy in Arizona "is giving me some hope for the future."

Haggard said he and his wife needed to "retrain" - and with psychology degrees "we can work together serving others the rest of our lives."

Haggard has told the restoration team he will continue therapy, said London.

"The idea is he would pursue ongoing consultations with competent therapists and counselors," London said. "He has admitted to being a sexual addict.

"Anyone who has an addictive personality needs to be constantly reminded of that addiction and deal with any of the temptations that come with that addiction."

London said he didn't know if the issue of drugs was also part of Haggard's therapy.

"Addictive behavior - regardless of what it is - needs to be addressed," he said.

torkelsonj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5055

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