NeuroDiverse Christian Couples

Dr. Stephanie Holmes

Like all couples, NeuroDiverse (AS/NT) Christian couples face challenges with communication and connection. Those challenges are nuanced in a way that most couples, therapists, and clergy don't typically recognize. Often NeuroDiverse Couples have children on the spectrum (or or other differences), this podcast will dedicate topics to the NeuroDiverse Couple as well as issues that may arise in spectrum or special needs family systems. We invite you to learn about NeuroDiverse Christian couples to understand those aspects more fully.

  1. Weaponized Scripture When is it Abuse with Thomas Pryde

    1d ago

    Weaponized Scripture When is it Abuse with Thomas Pryde

    This month, we examined weaponized Scriptures, and today we talk with Thomas Pryde of Psalm 82 Initiative to talk about, When is it Abuse? Thomas said a healthy relationship uses whatever power you have to help others, not harm them, and when you love someone, freedom abounds, but freedom is not anarchy. What does that mean? Join us for the discussion. We started with the definition of abuse from the Department of Justice website: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence Thomas Pryde said that the Abuser Is Entitled Wants Control Uses Coercion Expects Compliance How does neurodiversity play into this? We asked Thomas about the crossover of neurodiversity in the dynamics of what he sees over the decades and he sees a high crossover. If you are in an abusive situation and need guidance or support- https://www.psalm82initiative.org/refuge You are in danger: If you are a domestic violence victim seeking help, here are some resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat online for 24/7 support and local advocacy WomensLaw.org.DomesticShelters.org: Search for community shelters and programs to connect with local advocates and access tools to escape domestic abuse domesticshelters.org.Live Support: Speak to a live advocate through the National Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential support thehotline.org.State Resources: Find resources and programs in your state that provide support for women who have experienced abuse Office on Women's Health.Comprehensive Resources: Explore various resources for survivors, including hotlines, shelters, and legal assistance domesticviolence.org.   Is your marriage difficult or destructive/abusive? https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/resolving-conflict/emotionally-destructive-relationship-questionnaire/  Need Discernment Coaching? Is this autism or abuse? https://bg-hc.com/ Are you a woman in ministry/mission or married to someone in ministry in an ND marriage needing discernment coaching? https://jenileerachel.com/contact/  Are you looking for resources to navigate the court system- what do I need to know? Other Resources for Christian Women in Abusive Marriage: Sarah McDugal https://www.wildernesstowild.com/  Life Saving divorce: https://lifesavingdivorce.com/about/

    1h 1m
  2. Weaponized Scripture: Sexual Intimacy or Spiritual Coercion: Rethinking 1 Cor. 7 with Dr. Jake Porter

    Jun 15

    Weaponized Scripture: Sexual Intimacy or Spiritual Coercion: Rethinking 1 Cor. 7 with Dr. Jake Porter

    In this episode, Dan and Stephanie sit down with Dr. Jake Porter for a thoughtful and honest conversation about one of the most debated — and often weaponized — passages in Christian marriage discussions: 1 Corinthians 7. What did Paul actually mean when he wrote about marital intimacy? How has this passage been misused to justify pressure, coercion, and “duty sex” within Christian relationships? And what happens when mutuality, context, and the heart of the Gospel are stripped away from the conversation? Together, they unpack the historical and relational context of Paul’s words, explore the difference between covenant and control, and discuss how Scripture can be applied in ways that either foster safety and connection or deepen shame and harm. This episode is not about dismissing Scripture. It is about reading it carefully, relationally, and in the spirit it was intended. Topics include: Weaponized Scripture in marriage“Duty sex” and coercive interpretationsMutuality and consent in 1 Corinthians 7What Dr. Stephanie has heard in her NeuroDiverse Couples' WorkIs there such a thing as the sin of withholding?What Paul was addressing in the Corinthian churchHow pastors and couples can approach these conversations with wisdom and careA nuanced conversation about theology, relationships, and the difference between biblical intimacy and spiritual pressure.  About Dr. Jake Porter: https://www.daringventures.com/ Scripturally, Pastorally & Clinically Trained: EducationB.A., Elmira College, triple majors in Psychology, Music, Philosophy & Religion M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Th.M. in Spirituality & Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Lamar University Ed.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dissertation: Affective Social Neurobiology & Student Formation: A Transdisciplinary Multimethod Study Professional Memberships & AffiliationsLead Professor for the Doctor of Professional Counseling Program  & Assistant Professor of Counseling, Kairos University Faculty, International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals Member, Division 47 of the APA: Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology Member, Division 43 of the APA: Society for Couple and Family Psychology Member, Division 8 of the APA: Society for Personality and Social Psychology Member, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health Professional ServiceFounder & President, The International Association of Couple–Centered Recovery® Board of Directors, The Association of Partners of Sex Addiction Trauma Specialists (APSATS) Board of Directors, Christian Sex Addiction Specialists International (C-SASI) Professor of Counseling, Kairos University's Houston Graduate School of Theology Licensure & CertificationsLicensed Professional Counselor, State of Texas (#78173) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Montana (#76171) Board Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Supervisor, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals Certified Clinical Partner Specialist, The Association for Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider, The Integrative Psychiatry Institute  Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator (FL-12de7070), State of Oregon Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma Professionals Advanced TrainingsCoachRICE Executive Leadership Coach Training, Rice University PACT Level III (Psychological Approach to Couple Therapy) Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Level I Gottman Couple Therapy Level I EMDR Level I (EMDRIA–Approved Training) Emotionally Focused Therapy (Externship, Core Skills 1-4) Post–Induction Therapy (The Meadows Model), Pia Mellody

    1h 5m
  3. Clarifying What God Says About Divorce in Scripture with Gretchen Baskerville

    Jun 8

    Clarifying What God Says About Divorce in Scripture with Gretchen Baskerville

    Today on ND Couples Coaches' Corner, Dr. Stephanie and Barbara Grant continue the series on the month-long series examining how Scripture is sometimes misused by spiritual authorities—such as clergy, small-group leaders, biblical counselors, and Christian counselors—in ways that shame or further harm those who are already experiencing abuse in their marriages. In this special series, Twisted Scripture: When the Bible Is Weaponized, we take a careful and thoughtful look at passages that are frequently used in ways that silence the vulnerable or pressure victims to remain in harmful situations.  Today's Guest: Author of Life-Saving Divorce, Gretchen Baskerville Some of today's verses included Malachi 2:16 and passages in Mark 10 and Matthew 19 about divorce.  Short bio Gretchen Baskerville is a Christian divorce recovery leader and author. She began leading support groups for single mothers in conservative churches in the Los Angeles area in 1998 and now focuses primarily on reaching people online.  For more than 25 years, Gretchen has helped women and men of faith find strength, courage, and healing through the challenges of life-saving divorce. She listens with empathy to those recovering from domestic violence, betrayal, infidelity, addiction, and emotional abuse.  A survivor of a toxic marriage herself, Gretchen understands the journey of rebuilding after loss. Following her own life-saving divorce and years as a single mother, she is now happily remarried.  She is a graduate of Wheaton College with a degree in Bible and Christian Education.  Definition: What’s a Life-Saving Divorce? A Life-Saving Divorce is the opposite of an “I’m bored” divorce, or an “I miss the party life” divorce. It is a divorce for serious reasons: to find relief from a pattern of sexual immorality, physical violence, chronic emotional abuse, felony behavior, family-crushing addictions, or abandonment through neglect and indifference.  Links to my resources The Life-Saving Divorce: Hope for People Leaving Destructive RelationshipsBook (paperback/eBook/audiobook page): https://amzn.to/3J3vXa7Audiobook (direct link): https://amzn.to/4f52Mh4Website & Blog: https://lifesavingdivorce.com/Pastor Education page: https://lifesavingdivorce.com/pastor-education-domestic-violence-biblical-response/Gumroad (EPUB + PDF download): https://gumroad.com/lspFor those who share an Amazon account with their abuser.Social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lifesavingdivorce.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifesavingdivorceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenbaskerville/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifesavingdivorceTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/GGBaskervilleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-baskerville-2873591b5/  If you want to join a class for women with Dr. Stephanie Holmes: https://www.holmesasr.com/womengroups check here for current classes. If you want to work with Barbara Grant: https://bg-hc.com/

    53 min
  4. Weaponizing Scripture: A Focus on Forgiveness, True Repentance & Reconciliation with Dr. Steven R. Tracy

    Jun 1

    Weaponizing Scripture: A Focus on Forgiveness, True Repentance & Reconciliation with Dr. Steven R. Tracy

    Today, we begin a month-long series examining how Scripture is sometimes misused by spiritual authorities—such as clergy, small-group leaders, biblical counselors, and Christian counselors—in ways that shame or further harm those who are already experiencing abuse in their marriages. In this special series, Twisted Scripture: When the Bible Is Weaponized, we take a careful and thoughtful look at passages that are frequently used in ways that silence the vulnerable or pressure victims to remain in harmful situations. Our first conversation features Dr. Steven R. Tracy, author of To Harm or To Heal: The Bible and Its Use in Counseling and co-author with Celestia G. Tracy of Mending the Soul. Together, we discuss two critical topics: spiritual abuse by church leadership in their counseling and pastoral care, and the biblical responsibility of leaders to protect those who are vulnerable. We also address commonly misused teachings about forgiveness and reconciliation and how these passages are often applied in ways that ignore the realities of abuse. Throughout this month-long series, we will continue exploring other frequently cited “clobber verses,” inviting theologians, pastors, and scholars to help us examine Scripture more faithfully and responsibly. Join us as we work to distinguish between Scripture that heals and Scripture that has been twisted in ways that harm. Steven R. Tracy - CBE International Steven R. Tracy is a professor of theology and ethics at Phoenix Seminary and co-founder of Mending the Soul Ministries. He is the author of "Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse" and co-author of "Marriage at the Crossroads" (forthcoming, InterVarsity). Tracy's work focuses on providing education and resources for the church and community on abuse, sexuality, and healthy intimacy. He has extensive experience in pastoral, classroom, and clinical settings, bringing over 40 years of experience to his work with Mending the Soul.

    59 min
  5. Autism in Adulthood: Functional & Adaptive Communication Skills with Dr. Celine Saulnier

    May 18

    Autism in Adulthood: Functional & Adaptive Communication Skills with Dr. Celine Saulnier

    Dr. Stephanie welcomes back Dr. Celine Saulnier to discuss adaptive and functional skills. Dr. Celine is the author of the Vineland Adaptive Skills Scales, Third Edition. Parts of our conversation look at differences in assessing children and adults when determining adaptive and functional skills. A discussion also includes ADOS, CARS, and MIGDAS-2, and what if an adult gets two different results from two different providers using two different measures?   About the Guest: Dr. Saulnier is the founder of Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Consulting Services. NACS develops, teaches, practices, and advocates for state-of-the-art diagnostic assessments for individuals with autism spectrum & related neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior to NACS, Dr. Saulnier joined the Yale research faculty, where she was both the Clinical Director and the Training Director for the Autism Program, managing and supervising multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluations on individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders from infancy through young adulthood. At the Marcus Autism Center, Dr. Saulnier oversaw all activities related to the characterization of individuals participating in clinical research and she was Director of the Clinical Assessment Core for the Emory Autism Center of Excellence grant awarded by NIMH.   Dr. Saulnier is co-author of the gold-standard Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition, and two books: Essentials of Autism Spectrum Disorders Evaluation and Assessment and Essentials of Adaptive Behavior Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She develops, teaches, practices, and advocates for state-of-the-art neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments, with a particular expertise in detecting the earliest emerging risk factors in infants and toddlers.   Contact her:https://nacsatl.com/

    1 hr
4.9
out of 5
80 Ratings

About

Like all couples, NeuroDiverse (AS/NT) Christian couples face challenges with communication and connection. Those challenges are nuanced in a way that most couples, therapists, and clergy don't typically recognize. Often NeuroDiverse Couples have children on the spectrum (or or other differences), this podcast will dedicate topics to the NeuroDiverse Couple as well as issues that may arise in spectrum or special needs family systems. We invite you to learn about NeuroDiverse Christian couples to understand those aspects more fully.

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