Marriage Resources
CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP RESOURCES
Marriage and committed relationships, when done according to God’s design for them, can be one of the most beautiful gifts in life. But that doesn’t mean maintaining that relationship will be easy.
Along the path of a successful marriage are bumps, potholes, detours, and construction zones. Nobody is perfect, and neither is any relationship. Culture, outside influences, family pressure, and so much more can affect the bond between two people.
The good news for anyone in a committed relationship is that we were not meant to navigate the path of marriage alone. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
We want to equip everyone with the knowledge and resources to live a relationship that is centered on Christ. After our Marriage & Relationship Conference, we will be launching several different groups focused on specific areas of marriage and relationships. You can find more information on each of those groups below, as well as additional resources to help strengthen your relationship.
PARENTING CLASS
When & Where:
Option One – Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the Growth Track room | March 5th through April 2nd | 5 weeks
Option Two – Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium | March 28th through May 9th | 7 weeks
Childcare: Yes (payment and pre-registration required for Tuesday evenings)
Description: During this five- to seven-week class, we will be reading Doug Fields’ field guide to parenting, Intentional Parenting. Together we will read and discuss different topics found in this book and encourage one another in the unique role God has given to us as parents!
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE CLASS
When & Where: Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the Growth Track room | Starts April 16th | 4 weeks
Childcare: Yes
Description: This four-week class, which will be offered at multiple times throughout each year, is for all dating and engaged couples. We will address important topics such as God’s purpose and plan for marriage, how to communicate and manage conflict in marriage, understanding roles and expectations in marriage, and other important issues all couples heading towards marriage need to address.
YOUNG MARRIEDS SMALL GROUP
When & Where: Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the group leaders’ home (led by Matt and Alexa Nisely) | Starts March 2nd | 6+ weeks
Childcare: No
Description: This group is for couples who are newly married or young in their marriage. The goal of this group is to help young couples build friendships with other couples in the same season of their marriage and to grow spiritually together. This group will read and discuss The Five Love Languages for Couples by Gary Chapman in the spring, followed by Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs in the fall.
BLENDED FAMILIES CLASS
When & Where: Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Growth Track room | Starts March 6th | 6 weeks
Childcare: Yes (childcare is free, but pre-registration is required)
Description: This six-week class will come alongside parents who are raising families in the unique culture of blended families to help them learn how to build foundations for a strong family core. We will study Blended Not Broken by Tim and Olivia Smith and Christie Meldrim and cover such topics as the importance of marriage in the blended family and challenges facing the role of the step-parent. Our prayer is to offer hope and support for your blended family!
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE COUNSELORS IN KANSAS CITY
If you’re seeking counseling individually, as a couple, or as a family, feel free to utilize these resources. The list below is just a few of the many Christian counseling resources available in the KC area. This is not a comprehensive list of providers in our area, and Journey does not officially endorse any counseling providers. Please use discretion and check references for listings.
Julie Boan, MA, LCPC, NCC
Attachment-based counselor licensed in Kansas and Missouri, specializing in couples, women, and trauma. Julie is a highly recommended counselor for women, individuals, children, and couples. She is also EMDR certified.
913-353-8755
[email protected]
Located in Overland Park, KS
Rick Pierce, MA, LCPC, HeartStrong Ministry
Excellent resource specifically for those with marriage issues. Regarded as one of the best male marriage counselors in the area. Rick’s counseling style focuses on secure love in the gospel within a theoretical framework of attachment theory and systemic thinking.
913-210-0607
[email protected]
Located in Overland Park, KS
Elizabeth Nelson, MA, LCPC
Liz is an attachment-based counselor that specializes in anxiety, stress, relational management, and marriage issues. She offers counseling for both individuals and couples, and is licensed in the state of Kansas.
913-396-9428
[email protected]
Located in Overland Park, KS
Adam Lynch, MA, LMFT, New Leaf Counseling
Specializes in counseling for anxiety, mild to moderate depression, couples (including dating, pre-marital and marital), and addiction of all kinds (not including eating disorders or gambling issues). He is also certified in crisis intervention as a pastoral counselor.
913-735-3301
[email protected]
Located in Kansas City, MO
Dr. Todd Frye, PhD, LCPC, LCMFT, NCC
Dr. Frye is an attachment-based therapist that specializes in marriage counseling and sexual addiction. He is also the Chair of the Counselor Education Department at MidAmerica Nazarene University.
913-626-1387
[email protected]
Located in Olathe, KS
Dr. Todd Bowman, PhD, LPC
An expert in the area of emotional intimacy. For those struggling with pornography, sexual addiction, and/or sexual trauma, Todd is an exceptional resource. He is also an associate professor of counseling at MidAmerica Nazarene University.
913-956-9374
[email protected]
Located in Olathe, KS
Karen Rash, MA, LCPC
Karen has been practicing for over 20 years and has a heart for anxiety issues, grief and loss, as well as marriage therapy.
913-742-0474
[email protected]
Located in Olathe, KS
Lindsey Layzell, MA, LCMFT
Lindsey is a licensed marriage and family therapist, but also works with individuals and adolescents. With 15 years of counseling experience, Lindsey strives to integrate psychology and theology into the safety of the therapeutic relationship.
913-553-0700
[email protected]
Located in Overland Park, KS
Jennifer Groene, MA, LCMFT
Jennifer has been in private practice for over 20 years, and specializes in women’s issues (depression, anxiety, setting boundaries, single parenting, divorce, trauma, and managing life), pre-marital counseling, and marriage counseling. She is an attachment-based therapist.
Rebecca Meyer, MA, Cross Care Counseling
Rebecca is one of the best counselors in Kansas City for teens and young women. She specializes in trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, life transitions (college and post-graduation), spiritual abuse, self-harm, same-sex attraction, gender dysphoria, and pre-marital and marriage counseling.
512-898-9138
[email protected]
Dr. Tricia Brown, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Dr. Brown counsels children, adolescents, individuals, and couples in a variety of life circumstances, with a focus on hearts, behaviors, families, and kids. She is one of the best family and adolescent counselors in the area.
913-602-9631
[email protected]
Located in Olathe, KS
Ken Howard, MS, LMFT, Aspen Partnership
Specializes in premarital counseling and conflict resolution after an affair. Ken also helps couples gain the skills and tools necessary to achieve strong attachment bonds with each other.
816-918-1303
[email protected]
Located in Kansas City, MO
Dr. Chantele Ferguson, PhD, Jefferson Street Associates
Using a cognitive-behavioral approach, Dr. Ferguson provides therapy for individuals, married couples, families, and adolescents. She helps children work through a variety of issues, and equips parents with proven parenting techniques.
816-554-7705
[email protected]
Located in Lee’s Summit
Abundant Life Counseling Center (ALCC)
ALCC values people, healing, and emotional wellness. We practice a counseling model that views Scripture as the key to understanding the essence of what it means to be human and provide guidance to live life abundantly. ALCC has both licensed and pre-licensed counselors specializing in every age group and life experience.
816-554-0944
Located in Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs, MO
Barry McAnulty, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW
Barry offers child, family, individual, marital, and couples counseling, and also serves as a life consultant. He specializes in offering assessments, evaluations, and treatment for both children and adults within his areas of expertise.
816-554-0912
Located in Lee’s Summit, MO
Shelia Benzon, ACBC Certified
Shelia is a board-certified Biblical counselor and is the director of Woman to Woman Ministry. She is a people helper with over 20 years of experience ministering to women, families, and singles.
816-229-5000
[email protected]
Located in Blue Springs, MO
Dr. Elaine Strid, PhD, LPC
Dr. Elaine offers both individual and relational counseling using the Bible as the basis for recovery, combined with the most effective current therapy techniques. She specializes in domestic violence, sexual trauma recovery, marriage & family, depression, anxiety, EMDSR, communication, forgiveness, brain integration, recovery from partner sexual addiction & infidelity, and conflict resolution.
816-622-3171 x726
[email protected]
Located in Belton, MO
Bren Tally, MS, LCMFT
Bren has strong areas of passion that include attachment and emotionally focused therapy, narrative therapy, and internal family systems. She specializes in family, couple, and individual therapy.
913-269-8173
[email protected]
Located in Leawood, KS