Beautifully Known:
How the Grand Story of the Bible Integrates with Attachment Theory and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy to Deepen Emotional Intimacy
Presenters: Mark Vander Ley, Ph.D. | Brian Fidler, Ph.D. | Casey Hall, Ph.D.
Tuesday, June 23rd
6:00 – 8:30 PM ET
Level: Intermediate
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Continuing Education
Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop:
Live: APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
On Demand: Approved for 2 NBCC and IBCC Credits*
CE Statement
Summary
According to a Judeo-Christian worldview, the first three chapters of Genesis presents human beings as divine image bearers designed for intimate connection with God, illustrating a cyclical pattern of creation, fall, and redemption (ESV, 2001). This biblical narrative of connection, rupture, and repair parallels key principles in attachment theory, which identifies these cycles as essential for secure attachment and relational development (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2002). Susan Johnson applied attachment theory to adult romantic relationships, leading to the development of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), a highly researched approach to marriage counseling (Johnson et al., 1999). This workshop, designed for psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, and ministry leaders, will compare the biblical narrative with expressive individualism to distinguish faith-based and secular approaches to marriage counseling. Participants will analyze attachment theory and EFT through a biblical lens to develop faith-integrated interventions for willing Christian couples. The program will conclude with a case study where participants will assess relational cycles and formulate strategies that foster deeper connections between willing Christian couples, God, self, and others.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Contrast the grand story of the Bible with expressive individualism to conceptualize the foundational difference between a faith-based and secular approach to marriage counseling.
- Analyze Attachment theory and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy to develop a faith-base framework for working with willing Christian couples seeking deeper emotional intimacy.
- Assess the relational cycle of a case example to deepen the couple’s relationship with God, self, and others.
Continuing Education Statement
Live: To be announced after the Live event
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due to good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements. Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required Continuing Education hours. *For Professionals needing Live CE Credits, Webinars Must be watched live. Webinars will remain Live until 12 am ET.
Psychologists
- The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AACC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- The AACC is approved in multiple states to give Continuing Education to licensed mental health professionals. When requesting CEs, please indicate in which state you are licensed in on the Continuing Education Form. If this is not indicated, you may receive the wrong CE certificate for your state.
- The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), #1400, is approved as a provider for social work Continuing Education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: (09/06/2023 to 09/06/2026). Licensed social workers should contact their individual regulatory boards to review current Continuing Education requirements for licensure renewal. Any presentation that is less than 50 minutes in duration is not approved by the ASWB for Continuing Education credits.
American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7543. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
On-Demand: NBCC & IBCC
Effective immediately, participants can now earn 2 NBCC and IBCC credits for CounselTalk webinars that are not attended live. To receive this credit, participants must complete a 10-question quiz and an evaluation following the On-demand (recorded) CounselTalk webinar.
The CounselTalk webinar will switch to “On-Demand” credit after 11:59 pm on the day of the webinar.
American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7543. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
IBCC: The training offered through AACC-sponsored conferences and training programs also meets the ongoing CE requirements for counselors, life coaches, and crisis responders who are credentialed through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC) or one of its affiliate boards: the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counseling (BCPPC), the Board of Christian Life Coaching (BCLC), the Board of Mental Health Coaching (BMHC), and the Board of Christian Crisis and Trauma Response (BCCTR).
Learn more about our Continuing Education Policies
Presenters
Mark Vander Ley Ph.D., LCPC is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Colorado Christian Universityandthe owner of Connections Family Counseling, LLC,a group counseling practice. Mark has been working with children and families for 25 years serving as direct care staff, youth pastor, therapist, clinicalsupervisorand faculty member. Mark is a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist(EFT), heintegrates EFT andbiblical truth to help couplesexperience healing and restoration.
Brian Fidler, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, and Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist. He is the Executive Director of Restoration Counseling Services and an Assistant Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Colorado Christian University. Dr. Fidler has worked extensively with individuals, couples, and families in private practice. He enjoys helping students view families within God’s redemptive story and integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy with biblical truth to support healing, restoration, and connection in relationships.
Casey Hall, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S, is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Colorado Christian University and a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist in Arkansas. She has experience as a therapist, supervisor, business owner, and educator, working with individuals, couples, families, and counseling trainees. Dr. Hall also provides clinical supervision through All Things Renewed Counseling & Supervision, PLLC and is passionate about training future counselors while integrating faith with evidence-based counseling practices.
