Course Purpose:
This course, supported by common sense and scientific research, challenges the belief that psychiatric diagnoses define a person's identity, instead presenting them as constructs that reflect an individual's current level of understanding of life and experience. Psychiatric diagnoses, like "narcissist" or "schizophrenic," are often seen as defining a person's identity, both by the public and health professionals.
Yet, Dr. Thomas Insel, Psychiatrist and former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, stated, “We have spent so much time diagnosing mental disorders that we actually believe they are real. But there is no reality. These are just constructs. There is no reality to schizophrenia or depression. We might have to stop using terms like depression and schizophrenia because they are getting in our way,
and confusing things.”
A longitudinal, 45-year, large study revealed that 86% of participants met criteria for at least one psychiatric diagnosis by age 59, with many experiencing shifting diagnoses over time, highlighting
the fluidity of these labels.
“There is always hope because there is always health.”
Bill Pettit, M.D.
This July, 2025 - March, 2026 Online Course,
One Cause, One Cure was designed for:
• Anyone wanting to live a more loving and joyful life despite the challenges that life presents.
• Anyone who has themselves or had a loved one who came to see themselves as their diagnosis and as permanently broken or lacking
• Anyone curious about our spiritual identity/nature and its relationship to our psychological and physical natures, our state of being, and our behavior.
“Our true identity is of a spiritual nature, and it is hidden in the very depths of each living soul on earth”
Sydney Banks, The Enlightened Gardener
Course Description
After engaging in this course, you will be able to discuss:
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How the current psychiatric diagnostic systems are an attempt to describe a person’s present level of understanding.
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How a new Principle based psycho-spiritual paradigm brings hope of spiritual and psychological healing to everyone.
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How an understanding of our spiritual nature brings simplicity and clarity to current research findings in neuroscience and psychiatry.
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How an Inside-Out understanding of experience is empowering.
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How experiences and behavior previously seen as signs & symptoms of a disease are recognized as benevolent alarms summoning one to the present moment.
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How every cell in our body responds to every thought we give attention/life to.
Continuing Education
Many U.S. and global licensed healthcare professionals have requested professional CEs for continuing education toward re-licensure.
One Cause, One Cure 2.0 offers 54 continuing education contact hours which are available for purchase after completing Dr. Pettit's course.
CEs can be purchased through Advanced Holistic Health at NurseCoaching.com. Advanced Holistic Health is a continuing education provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #CEP16464.
All different types of health professionals can utilize Nursing CE’s.
Check with your state licensing board.
“Dr. Bill, I just wanted to tell you about a young client who was in the mental hospital when I met her after a lifetime of suicide attempts, drinking and self-harm and now, one year later is out, med free, working with kids with disabilities, and just got accepted to college. The doctor couldn't believe how well she is doing and listed off 10 diagnosis that she doesn't have any more !! When I hear your stories, I believed you, but this girl is right here for me to see the miracle. Feeling very grateful, thank you
for sharing all your wisdom!”
A psychiatrist mentee.
More about the Course…
COURSE FORMAT
- Two-hour sessions will include a 10-minute midsession break
- Sessions will include equal time of presentation and discussion
Relevant medical and scientific research will be cited and shared with course participants
for future reference.
Recommended prereading (rereading if not done in past year) for any one or all three modules:
The Missing Link, The Enlightened Gardener, and The Enlightened Gardener Revisited by Sydney Banks.
Recommended Video pre-viewing (if not viewed in the past year) for any one or all three modules:
The Long Beach Lectures by Sydney Banks.
** These readings and viewings will not be formally discussed in the course but can be a source of questions and discussion raised by the participants.
Content Outline:
MODULE ONE
a) The New Principle Based Paradigm, July 9, 16, 23
This will be explored through the metaphor of the three divine/universal Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought, as introduced by philosopher and author Sydney Banks in 1973. This breakthrough paradigm will be examined and compared with current prevailing frameworks. We will review each category of DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 diagnoses over the duration of the course.
b) Anxiety Disorders, August 6, 13, 20
Increased tension from chronic stressful thinking creates anxiety which can then morph into panic attacks, phobias, dissociative disorders, and even multiple personalities.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder, Selective Mutism, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder.
c) Depressive Disorders, September 3, 10, 17
A prolonged low mood brings on depression, irritability, and, eventually, feelings of being disconnected from self and others. We will cover: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia).
MODULE TWO
d) Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders, October 1, 8, 15
Psychosis can be seen as an alternative to suicide when a person innocently creates a world in their head that is too painful. (I have created such a painful world in my head, I must go to another world or leave this one entirely). Spiritual consciousness brings new solutions.
Schizotypal Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder, Schizophreniform Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, (Bipolar type, Depressive type)
e) Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, November 5, 12, 19
These “disorders’ are behavioral attempts to deal with the inner state of dysphoria created via the innocent misuse of the power and Principle of Thought: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder), Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder
f) Bipolar and Related Disorders, December 3, 10, 17
Hypomanic and manic episodes are frequently alternatives to suicide [and, at times, homicides] and are lifesaving because they keep the sufferer alive and get them help.
Cyclothymic Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder
MODULE THREE
g) Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders, January 7, 14, 21, 2026
Awakening spiritual consciousness brings psychological healing and incremental freedom from past painful experiences. Full recovery and wholeness are possible.
Reactive Attachment Disorder, Dis-inhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (includes children 6 years and younger)
h) Dissociative Disorders, February 4, 11, 18, 2026
These ‘disorders’ are bold attempts to protect the person from their misuse of Thought while sending louder and louder alarms: Dissociative amnesia (dissociative fugue), Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder.
i) Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders, March 4, 11, 18, 2026
These “disorders” are manifestations of chronic mental stress (CMS) and its effect on our psychological and physical natures: Somatic Symptom Disorder, Illness Anxiety Disorder, Conversion Disorder, (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder), and Factitious Disorder.
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Although the content of this course may seem daunting. I believe that I have been gifted to bring simplicity to apparent complexity and to present scientific material in a way that makes it understandable and practical.
Warning: If it is correct that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, I may include a few clumsy attempts at humor.
Last Note: With sufficient insight, past unhealthy behaviors disappear and are replaced by loving, creative and productive ones. I See that NOW is the only thing that exists and that LOVE is the only thing that is real. (Everything else is made up!).
TBD
*10% profits of the legacy programs will be donated to charitable organizations
5% locally to the Phoenix St. Vincent de Paul Free Medical Clinic
5% globally to 3P in Africa
"Dr. Bill Pettit has been a constant source of inspiration and insight for me. As a nurse, I love how he makes the Three Principles come alive in the context of health and healing. His teaching style is a perfect blend of intellect and heart, pointing us toward our spiritual nature with warmth and humor. He makes it easy to see the Principles at work in everyday life. If you want to learn from a master teacher in a way that’s unique, loving, and genuinely enjoyable, take one of his courses—you won’t regret it!"
Teresa Walding BSN, RN, NC-BC
Hi, I am Dr. Bill Pettit
For forty-plus years, I have been a global influencer in bringing a new level of understanding and thinking to medicine, neuroscience, psychiatry, and the healing professions. This understanding has ignited a healthy, healing fire bringing incremental relief of mental and physical distress throughout the world.
Click the button below to explore more of my courses and self study programs.
