Description
018: Grace Together and Loyal Love: Marital Renewal Models for Counseling and Ministry
Jim Sells, Ph.D.
Regent University
1000 Regent University Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Jennifer Ripley, Ph.D.
Regent University
1000 Regent University Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Summary
A successful marriage is difficult, and counseling troubled couples to be productive is more complicated. But much is known about how successful marriages occur and how counseling techniques can be effective. Grace Together is a couples’ curriculum for counseling, small groups, and large event learning for Christian clients. It is based on the Grace and Hope Model of research conducted by Ripley and Sells through the Charis Institute, Regent University. This workshop addresses how to help Christian couples manage defensive reactivity and stay focused on biblical virtues, including grace, justice, empathy, humility, forgiveness, and trust as behavioral alternatives. This workshop will include audience observation and rehearsal of specific model steps. Implications and suggestions for future research and participation in ongoing couples’ therapy or through couples’ ministry will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
• Identify current Christian couples’ conflict reconciliation practices that will be useful to the mental health professional, coach, and lay counselor’s work with couples experiencing conflicted relationships
• Utilize the Grace Together and Loyal Love curricula in clinical practice for licensed mental health professionals and ministry
• Analyze current research on the grace and hope restoration models
