by Everett L. Worthington Jr.

published by InterVarsity Press

$14.95

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• Formatted for WS2GO v. 2
• Hope-focused rather than problem-focused
• Includes dozens of interventions and homework exercises
• Helps couples change patterns of thinking and acting
• Shows how to make the most of each counseling session
• Accommodates the limits of managed care

“This outstanding and practical book is certain to become a standard text of Christian marriage counseling... If your budget allows you to purchase only one counseling book this year, consider buying this as your book. ”

—Gary Collins, founder, Christian Counseling Today magazine

“Worthington's work is a rock solid strategy for helping couples progress through crisis, while equipping them with skills to effectively manage future conflict. ”

—Ashland Theological Journal

“Written most helpfully for pastors who want to adapt a professional model of marital counseling to their pastoral marital counseling... very specific and practical. ”

—Journal of Psychology & Christianity

Everett L. Worthington, Jr. offers a comprehensive manual for assisting couples over common rough spots and through serious problems in a manner that is compassionate, effective and brief. His hope-focused (rather than problem-focused) approach enables couples to see that change is possible and gives them a new outlook on the future. Combining this with a brief approach that addresses the realities of managed care and tight budgets, Worthington shows how to be strategic in each counseling situation by including teaching, training, exercises, forgiveness, modeling and motivation.

At the heart of the book are dozens of interventions and exercises, including

• drawing on central values
• promoting confession and forgiveness
• strengthening communication
• aiding conflict resolution
• changing patterns of thinking
• developing intimacy
• cementing commitment

This edition includes a new introduction, summarizing the latest findings and developments in marital counseling and applying hope-focused marriage counseling to today's cultural and clinical realities.

About the Author
Everett L. Worthington Jr. (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. A licensed clinical psychologist, he works with VCU's counseling program and with VCU's social psychology and developmental psychology programs. He is the director of VCU's Marital Assessment, Therapy and Enrichment Center (MATE) and served as executive director of A Campaign for Forgiveness Research. He has published more than 200 articles and papers on forgiveness, marriage and family, psychotherapy and virtue in a wide variety of journals and magazines. He was the founding editor of Marriage and Family: A Christian Journal and sits on the editorial boards of several professional journals. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, The 700 Club and in many national newspapers. He is the author of more than twenty books including Handbook of Forgiveness and Forgiving and Reconciling.

A sample from the work (Click here to open sample in new window):