Empowering Couples: A Narrative Approach to Spiritual Care - Softcover

Duane R. Bidwell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080066342X ISBN 13: 9780800663421

Publisher: Fortress Press, 2013

Synopsis

Couples can make significant progress toward resolving their own problems when they receive appropriate guidance from a caring person. This book outlines five tasks focused on identity, agency, and meaning that spiritual caregivers can use to empower couples for significant change in just three to five conversations. Critically integrating desert spiritual theology with empirical data about successful marriages, Bidwell advocates for mutuality and partnership within covenanted relationships, which allows partners to create an alliance strong enough to resist the forces that threaten relationshipsespecially the negative influences of criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and withdrawal.Pastors who adopt the approach outlined in the text will "travel lightly" in terms of pastoral power, decentering themselves so that couples can identify and build on their unique strengths and relationship with the divine.

About this title

About the Author

Duane R. Bidwell is professor of practical theology, spiritual care, and counseling at Claremont School of Theology and a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He is the author of Short-Term Spiritual Guidance, The Formation of Pastoral Counselors, and Empowering Couples.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080066342X
• ISBN 13: 9780800663421
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144