Blended Families 2.0


Blended Families 2.0


There are 3 Continuing Education Units included with this course.

Blended families are becoming more common in today’s society. This course is designed to help counselors understand why step-parenting can be both fragile and complex, as well as how it is different than most biological parenting, are critical to fostering a good family blend. Counselors will learn how to strengthen blended families in premarital counseling, ministry, and counseling contexts, and help them navigate the unique challenges of stepfamily living.


Course Lessons

BF 101: Musical Homes: Understanding Stepfamily Complexity

Ron Deal, M.MFT.
Nontraditional families are the new “traditional.” Given the prevalence of blended families in culture today, it is vital that people-helpers, ministry leaders, and professionals alike understand stepfamily complexity. This introductory presentation will explore the social context of stepfamilies and demonstrate how complex stepfamily dynamics can create stress and distress for blended families.


BF 102: Fostering Stepfamily Integration: Ministry and Counseling Essentials

Ron Deal, M.MFT.
This presentation addresses a high-level view of counseling with stepfamilies and provides an overview of what the counselor is trying to accomplish. Specific issues that often come up, such as bonding, forging couple attachment, and managing the impact of loss on children, will be discussed. A brief case study will also be shared to bring context into the process.


BF 103: What Every Church Can Do: Effective Pre-Stepfamily Preparation

Ron Deal, M.MFT.
This presentation introduces three key elements of stepfamily ministry in a local church and offers a broad continuum of care with effective and practical options that every church can readily implement. Psychoeducational strategies, enrichment tools, and the essentials of pre-stepfamily counseling will also be explored in a more detailed manner.


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