Description
506: Theology of the Body: An Approach to Love, Sex, and Relationships
Linda Stewart, M.A.
Safe Haven Relationship Center
2782 Gateway Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Linda Noble, B.A.
Journey Community Church
8363 Center Dr., Ste. 6C
La Mesa, CA 91942
Summary
Faith-based and cultural perspectives have resulted in a broad spectrum of views about the body, sex, and relationships. Even those seeking a Christian framework have a variety of experiences and beliefs. Of these, some Christian clients report that what they learned from a Christian framework was helpful and formed personally protective factors. In contrast, others have struggled since to reconcile messages that they now perceive as harmful. Still others never found faith-based conversations about sex or extra-marital sex to be compelling and, instead, adopted a more mainstream cultural view of sex and relationships. Additionally, some men and women who experienced past abuse or already had a sexual history report feeling disqualified from a life of flourishing. What do Christian licensed mental health professionals have to offer clients of faith with varied experiences and beliefs, whether married or single, as a path forward that leads to healing and flourishing for those struggling? In this workshop, we will introduce a Theology of the Body that informs a Christian therapeutic approach and helps us engage the challenges of these particular Christian clients more effectively. This biblically integrated approach elevates the meaning of sex and sexuality for your Christian clients and enhances their relationships with others in the contexts of singleness, dating relationships, marriage, and parenting.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
• Recognize human flourishing enabling them to positively grow Christian clients’ view of self and others in clinical practice and other settings
• Identify prevailing thoughts and ideas about the body, relationships, and sex that are destructive to clients’ flourishing
• Outline a Theology of the Body model used within therapy by licensed mental health professionals in which to conceptualize a Christian client’s view of his or her own and others’ bodies, sexuality, and relationships
