Hook's Theory On Love Therapy

Through his research with the U.S. Census Bureau, “Relationship satisfaction typically declines after entering into marriage, and around forty three percent of first marriages end in separation or divorce within fifteen years.” In most cases between eighty and ninety percent of divorcing couples never consult with any type professional before seeking divorce, and I can see why at times it is hard for people to want to seek out that help. Hook states reasons people do not believe therapy would work to be, high cost, a lot of time and even the social stigma that is associated with therapy. Hook notes a very interesting concept of religious organizations being targeted as an avenue to promote marital education. His reasoning’s seem to have a solid foundation as to why. He states four reasons, “first most couples get married with the backing of religious institutions, religious organizations often do not need to be persuaded that the goals of marital education and …show more content…
DiBlasio, Ph.D, a professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Social Work states, “that Christian couples need to move towards each other in Christ- like love, forgiving each other and thereby reconciling the past and setting into place a plan to prevent the hurtful behavior for the future.” The article “Christ-like Forgiveness in Marital Counseling: A Clinical Follow-up of Two Empirical Studies” found that a decision-based therapeutic forgiveness session was successful in promoting forgiveness, increasing marital satisfaction and decreasing depression.” This article goes on to state how there is a thirteen-step forgiveness session that takes place in order for true forgiveness to occur. DiBlasio organizes the steps are into three sections: “(1) defining and preparing (Steps 1-3) which involves a discussion between the couple and counselor; (2) seeking and granting forgiveness (Steps 4- 12); and (3) the session concludes with designing the ceremonial act (Step