New Book

The most recent book I’ve written was co-authored with James Sells and published in April of 2011. It is titled Counseling Couples in Conflict: A Relational Restoration Model. This is what InterVarsity Press Academic is saying about it:

Most therapeutic approaches, especially those of a cognitive orientation, are not very effective in dealing with high conflict relationships–couples often heading toward divorce by the time they seek help.

Counseling Couples in Conflict is a resource for counselors and therapists who want to be ready for these uniquely difficult cases. Utilizing a relational conflict and restoration model Mark Yarhouse and James Sells point the way beyond the cycle of pain towards marital healing.

Here is the Table of Contents:

Part I
1 Marriage at a Crucial Stage of Existence
2 Three Fights in One
3 Marriage Is an Us
4 Pastoral and Counseling Boundaries: Invested but not Overinvolved

Part II
5 Pain and Defense
6 Offense and Injury
7 Grace and Justice
8 Empathy and Trust
9 Forgiveness

Part III
10 The Expressive Art of Sexuality
11 The Product of Art: Children and Parenting
12 Sexual Infidelity
13 Divorce and Blended Families
14 Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addictions
15 A Graceful Conclusion

And here are a couple of nice endorsements:

“Addressing the concerns of professional counselors and pastoral counselors alike, Sells and Yarhouse offer a biblically-based, theological-grounded and therapeutically-sound model for working specifically with couples in conflict. I recommend this book for beginning counselors and for seasoned colleagues in the field. It definitely has a home on my bookshelves.”

—Virginia T. Holeman, Ph.D., professor of counseling, Asbury Theological Seminary, and author of Reconcilable Differences

“The institution and even the definition of marriage continue to be in turmoil and the subject of debate and controversy within our culture today. Yet, the Scriptures portray marriage as a beautiful metaphor of the union between Christ and his bride, the church. As such, couples face not only the challenges and obstacles inherent in any human relationship but must also contend with the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to destroy this image. Discord, pain, misunderstanding and hurt are inevitable. Counseling Couples in Conflict offers a solid integration of biblical principles and counseling skills with clinical theory that helps foster relational wholeness. Practical case examples are utilized throughout to illustrate key points and provide a balanced model for restoration. Whether a pastoral counselor or a professional mental health clinician, this book is an essential resource for anyone doing marital work.”

—Eric T. Scalise, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, Vice President for Professional Development, The American Association of Christian Counselors