Healthy Collaboration between Pastors & Counselors:
Linking Arms in the Wake of Sexual Betrayal
This presentation will explore the vital relationship needed between church leaders and counselors following sexual betrayal, drawing on firsthand experiences of an experienced professional counselor. Discussion topics include collaboration around managing the initial crisis, assessing individual, couple and congregation needs, and developing a roadmap for recovery based on factors like full disclosure and willingness to commit. Strategies for church leaders and small groups to support counseling without adding tension will be addressed through case study, followed by an interactive Q&A session to foster discussion and deepen understanding.
Learning objectives:
1. Participants will build an action plan for building collaborative relationships between counselors and pastors.
2. Participants will be able to identify helpful first steps & barriers in managing instability in the aftermath of sexual betrayal.
3. Participants will explore and clarify the different roles and responsibilities that pastor and counselor have for a hurting individual or couple.
4. Non-counselor participants will develop strategies as church leaders to support trauma-informed counseling.
Jessica McDaniels
Licensed Professional Counselor
Jessica is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Texas and has over 14 years of experience counseling clients in the Austin area. She and her husband Ryan have been married since 2006 and have three amazing daughters ranging from 11-14 years old. Her daughters are involved in many actitivies that keep them very busy in their free time.
Jessica is passionate about helping women and couples work towards deeper authenticity and inviting the healing love of Christ into all parts of their story. She has pursued specialized, trauma-informed training in childhood trauma, postpartum support, perinatal loss, marital infidelity and betrayal trauma. She is APSATS trained and pursuing her CCPS-Candidate process. Jessica and Ryan are both therapists and partner with the organization Affair Recovery to do meaningful work with couples together.