Darby Strickland
Counselor, Speaker & Author
Domestic Abuse
For years, biblical counselor Darby Strickland has served women in oppressive marriages. Now she writes to anyone who wants to help, regardless of their level of experience. You will learn how to identify the toxic entitlement that drives abusive behavior and to better understand its impact on victims—including children who are raised in a home with domestic abuse. Ultimately, you will become equipped to provide wise and Christ-centered counsel, empowering, and advocating for victims while navigating the complex dynamics of oppression in a marriage.
Reflection questions throughout chapters guide helpers as they process the material
Detailed inventory questions allow helpers to screen for different kinds of abuse—physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, and financial
Case studies, exercises, and comprehensive worksheets, including a safety action plan, can be used to train helpers and assist victims
Reviews
"This resource and the wisdom it provides are integral to pastoral ministry—and indeed to the work of everyone who is ready to speak for the oppressed and cry out for justice. I cannot recommend it highly enough." --Rachael Denhollander, Speaker; Author; Victim Advocate
"A stunning work. . . . If you ever read a book about abuse in couples, let it be this one." --Alasdair Groves, Executive Director, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation
"The clearest and most complete work on understanding the dynamics and impact of abuse." --Chris Moles, Author, The Heart of Domestic Abuse
"Deftly equips counselors, pastors, and caring leaders to navigate through the difficult and often confusing narrative surrounding what's wrong and what to do." --Leslie Vernick Author, The Emotionally Destructive Marriage
"An exemplary biblical counseling manual." --Curtis W. Solomon, Executive Director, The Biblical Counseling Coalition
"If you read this book before you need it, you will be grateful . . . and so will the person who is reaching out to you for guidance." --Brad Hambrick, General Editor, Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abuse
Books
About
I am a faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), where I counsel individuals, couples, and families navigating complex struggles. I earned my Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, where I met my husband, John. I teach Counseling Abusive Marriages at CCEF and Counseling Complex Problems at Westminster Theological Seminary. My writing and teaching focus on equipping churches and counselors to care well for those who have experienced trauma and abuse.
I have written extensively on domestic abuse and trauma, and I was part of the team that developed Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abused, a free web-based training designed to equip pastors, ministry leaders, and churches with best practices for responding to abuse.
One of my greatest joys has been homeschooling my three children. Our home is filled with music, read-alouds, good food, games, and lots of laughter. Life is full, but I like to think it’s full of precious things. As a family, we love exploring new cities—especially their museums. I’m also drawn to anything involving water: swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, beach days, or simply walking along a lake. Being near the water is a deep refreshment to my soul.
If you’d like to get in touch, please contact CCEF.