"It (Prep) claims to be built on Biblical principles", said David Day, a clinical psychologist at Community Christian Counseling in Pleasanton, Calif., where the courses have had longer to take root. "I think it's based on a distortion of the Bible."

Day, who has 21 years of experience, has seen between 20-30 parents in his practice who have had problems coping with the program in some fashion. Some tried the course and failed, leaving them feeling like failures as parents.

"They have feelings of guilt" Day said. "There is pressure exerted that everybody's got to get with the program. Depending on the group, it can border on cult-like behavior, suppressing everyone's questions."

Day isn't the only Christian with serious questions.

Focus on the Family, a popular Christian ministry devoted to family issues and founded by Dr. James Dobson, has issued a public statement saying they have reservations and will not recommend the program. The Christian publication Christianity Today , ran an article critical of the program in 1993. An ABC News religion reporter aired a critical report in 1996.