Responding to Abuse in Marriage

with Darby Strickland

How can counselors and churches recognize abuse and become places of refuge for those suffering within marriage?

This practical course equips students to identify patterns of coercion and control, including physical, spiritual, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse. Together, we will examine how Scripture informs our understanding of oppression, enables us to discern its effects, and guides us to respond with wisdom, compassion, and concern for safety.

The course also addresses safety planning, the church’s role in providing ongoing support, how to minister to oppressors, and how to establish accountability for those who cause harm. Students will learn principles for confronting abusive behavior and evaluating repentance.

Throughout the course, we will strive to embody Christ’s care for the oppressed and oppressor and equip counselors and churches to provide faithful, compassionate, and protective support.

What to Expect

Course Work

Each week you'll listen to pre-recorded lectures, read articles and books, and engage with other students through 3 small group discussions throughout the term.

You'll complete response papers, community resource project, a final exam, and other assignments. You will demonstrate your understanding and personal growth in the topics covered during the lectures and reading.

Your online instructor will give you feedback and interact with you throughout the course.

Note: This course has two synchronous features.

Students will be assigned to small groups and have 3 required small group meetings throughout the term. Group members are responsible for coordinating meeting times and what format works best for everyone (Zoom, Google Meet, Phone Call, etc.).

In addition to recorded lectures, there will also be 3 live meetings with Darby Strickland throughout the term. These will be recorded if students are unable to attend. Below are the tentative dates and times for the January 2027 term; please note they are subject to change.

Tuesday, January 19, from 1–2pm EST
Tuesday, February 9, from 1–2pm EST
Tuesday, March 2, from 1–2pm EST

Please note: You must have access to a computer to complete this course.

Course Objectives

To develop a biblical understanding of oppression and explore its effects
To differentiate abuse from typical marital conflict and understand why couples counseling is not appropriate when abuse is present
To practice the discovery of the presence of abuse, to formulate specific questions to help sufferers articulate their experiences, and to support their agency as they respond to the abuse
To consider how Scripture guides us to respond with wisdom, compassion, and concern for the safety and well-being of the oppressed

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Several years ago, we ran a course called Counseling Abusive Marriages. We’re excited to offer it again under a new title, Responding to Abuse in Marriage. The course is the same, but we have changed the name and description to better reflect course content and objectives. Read a note from Darby Strickland below:

“I am excited to be bringing this course back to CCEF in January under its new title, Responding to Abuse in Marriage. It is a privilege to help equip counselors, pastors, and church leaders to recognize abuse and respond with biblical wisdom, compassion, and courage.”
—Darby Strickland

At a Glance

course cost

$725–$775

course length

10 weeks

workload

6–9 hours/week

prerequisites

None

Meet the Lecturing Faculty

Darby is a faculty member and counselor at CCEF, where she has served since 2003. She has a master of divinity with a counseling emphasis from Westminster Theological Seminary. Darby brings particular passion and expertise in helping the vulnerable and oppressed, especially women in abusive marriages. She has contributed to Church Cares and the PCA Domestic Abuse & Sex Assault church training materials. She has counseled in a missionary church setting and has also held leadership roles in women’s ministry. She is the author of When It's Trauma (P&R Publishing, 2025), Is It Abuse? (P&R Publishing, 2020), has written a handful of minibooks, and has contributed to several other books.

darby's resources

Free Audio: Trauma as Exile

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