Christian Marriage Counseling
A Goal-Oriented, Faith-Based Approach — Available Throughout the United States
A Counselor Who Combines Biblical Wisdom with Conflict Resolution Research
I’m Dr. Ken Newberger. With 25 years of conflict resolution experience, I have helped individuals, couples, and organizations move from conflict toward peace, from hurt toward healing, and from distance toward genuine connection. I hold a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution and a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I have worked with over 500 couples and more than 1,000 clients in all.
My work is grounded in the Judeo-Christian model of peacemaking — learning to make peace with others the way God makes peace with us. That is not merely theological theory. It is a practical process that produces real, lasting change in real marriages.
Unlike traditional counseling, my approach is goal-oriented from session one. We are not simply talking about your marriage — we are working to restore it. And because I offer live video sessions, I can work with couples anywhere in the United States.
If you’d like to discuss your situation, call me at 703-483-0031. There is no charge and no obligation for that first conversation.
What Is Christian Marriage Counseling?
What Scripture Says About Marriage
The Bible describes marriage as a covenant — not merely a contract. It is a bond between a husband and wife that reflects the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22–33). When that covenant is under strain, the answer is not simply better communication techniques. It is a return to the purposes God designed for marriage: love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and mutual honor.How Faith and Research Work Together
My approach combines a solid biblical foundation with the best of modern conflict resolution research. These two sources of wisdom are not in conflict. In fact, the research on what makes marriages succeed — empathy, accountability, genuine listening, and breaking destructive patterns — is entirely consistent with what Scripture has taught for thousands of years. The result is a process that is both spiritually grounded and practically effective. Not one or the other — both.Marriage Struggles This Process Addresses
“Our 29-year marriage was on the verge of a total breakdown.…
Our marriage is stronger than ever!”
— Grateful Client
How the Process Works
Step 1 — Call Me First
The first step is a free phone conversation. You will tell me about your situation; I will explain how I work and answer your questions honestly. If it looks like a good fit, we move to the Testing the Waters session. If not, I will tell you that too. Call: 703-483-0031Step 2 — The “Testing the Waters” Session
This is a two-hour video session. The first hour I ask questions. The second hour you each share your hopes and concerns. At the end, we will have a clear picture of where things stand and whether you want to proceed. To begin, submit your contact information here and I will send you a brief to-do list to prepare.Step 3 — The Conflict Analysis Tool
Like an X-ray, the Conflict Analysis Tool (CAT) uncovers the inner workings of your relationship — identifying the root causes of recurring issues. It explores attachment styles, communication patterns, emotional reactions, conflict history, family-of-origin influences, personal needs, and more.
Once submitted, your individual responses are placed side by side in a comprehensive report that reveals key patterns, disconnects, and areas of alignment — and gives me the foundation to recommend a clear path forward.
Step 4 — Individual Sessions
Each spouse meets privately with me for 1½–2 hours. This gives each of you the space to speak freely and without interruption. I focus on your Conflict Analysis results to fully understand your perspective.Step 5 — Joint Sessions
I spend approximately five hours reviewing all the information gathered — phone calls, emails, surveys, CAT responses, and session notes — before your next joint session. Using a process called data triangulation, I examine your relationship from multiple angles to map out a way forward shaped around your particular needs. We then begin working together on the specific issues that matter most.Call 703-483-0031 to speak with Dr. Newberger at no charge and without obligation. Or submit your contact information to get started with the Testing the Waters session.
Christian Marriage Counseling Online — Serving Couples Across the USA
Why Video Sessions Work
Many couples actually find that meeting from their own home lowers the emotional defenses that an office setting can raise. There is no commute, no scheduling around traffic, and no sense of being observed in a waiting room. The work itself — the Conflict Analysis Tool, the individual sessions, the joint sessions — runs exactly the same way online as in person. As one client put it: “We live in a different state, so we were pleasantly surprised to see that he offered virtual counseling sessions… We truly enjoyed the virtual sessions because they allowed us to be more relaxed in our own environment. Overall, the experience was very rewarding. We highly recommend him to any couple!”Who Dr. Newberger Works With
Couples from across the country have gone through this process — from busy professional couples in major cities to rural families hours from the nearest qualified counselor. What they have in common is a shared commitment to saving a marriage they believe is worth saving. Dr. Newberger is also available for in-person sessions at his office in Reston, Virginia, convenient to Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland.
“Being solution-oriented, Dr. Ken didn’t require us
to spend years in therapy. Our marriage is now
back on track and stronger than ever.”
— Client, 19-Year Marriage
How This Compares to Traditional Marriage Counseling
| The Question | Dr. Newberger’s Approach | Traditional Counseling |
|---|---|---|
| Goal orientation | Reconciliation-focused from day one | Non-directive; no set destination |
| Faith integration | Judeo-Christian foundation; faith welcomed | Faith often treated as irrelevant |
| Preparation per session | 1+ hour of prep before each joint session | “During that 10 minutes, I furiously write notes… straighten the office, remove trash, get water, use the restroom, eat, and return calls.” — a psychologist describing time between sessions |
| Root cause analysis | Conflict Analysis Tool identifies root causes | Surface-level conversation |
| Medical records / diagnosis | None — no psychiatric labels assigned | Insurance billing requires a diagnosis |
| Session length | Full 60 minutes of focused work | Often 45–50 minutes |
| Timeline | Structured process; couples see progress | Can continue indefinitely |
| Location | Nationwide via live video; in-person in VA | Typically local only |
About Dr. Ken Newberger
Ken Newberger holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Master of Theology (Th.M.) from Dallas Theological Seminary. As the architect of the “Reconciliation Model of Peacemaking,” he has 25 years of conflict resolution experience.
He is the author of Hope in the Face of Conflict (2011) and the eBook Hope for Troubled Couples (2024). He is the innovator of the Conflict Analysis Tool for couples, has taught master’s level students at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, has served as an Approved Educational Provider for the National Board for Certified Counselors, and is a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich couple’s assessment tool. He has been interviewed more than 20 times on radio and television.
Earlier in his career, Ken served as senior pastor to congregations outside New York City and Washington, D.C. He personally subscribes to a Judeo-Christian worldview but welcomes and works with people from all walks of life.
Ken has been happily married to Mary for 50 years. They raised three sons, now have three daughters-in-law, and a growing number of grandchildren. He brings not only professional expertise but lived experience to every couple he works with.
Author: Hope in the Face of Conflict
Dr. Newberger is the author of Hope in the Face of Conflict: Making Peace with Others (2011), which lays out the Reconciliation Model of Peacemaking that forms the foundation of his work with couples.
The book draws on Dr. Newberger’s Ph.D. research and more than two decades of working with individuals, couples, churches, and organizations in conflict. It explains how genuine, lasting peace with others is possible — and how the Judeo-Christian model of peacemaking provides both the motivation and the method for getting there.
For couples, the principles in this book are not abstract. They are the same principles that guide every session Dr. Newberger conducts — and that have helped more than 500 couples find their way back to each other.
View on Amazon →
What Clients Have Said
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is Christian marriage counseling?
Christian marriage counseling integrates the truths of Scripture with proven principles of conflict resolution and relational healing. Rather than treating faith as irrelevant, it views faith as one of the most powerful resources for restoring a marriage. Dr. Newberger’s approach is grounded in the Judeo-Christian model of peacemaking — learning to make peace with others the way God makes peace with us.
▶ How is this different from traditional marriage counseling?
Unlike traditional non-directive counseling, this process is goal-oriented from day one — focused on reconciliation, not just conversation. It carries no psychiatric labels or permanent medical records. It uses the Conflict Analysis Tool (used with over 1,000 clients) to identify root causes. Sessions are a full 60 minutes, and Dr. Newberger spends an hour or more preparing for each one.
▶ Can we meet with you if we live outside Virginia?
Yes. Dr. Newberger works with couples throughout the United States via live video sessions. The entire process — from the Conflict Analysis Tool through every joint and individual session — runs fully online with no loss of depth or effectiveness. Couples who live in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, or Maryland are also welcome to meet in person.
▶ What if my spouse is reluctant or won’t join me?
Even if your spouse won’t join, you are not stuck. Coaching for one spouse can still strengthen your relationship. When you start to change, your partner will often respond in kind. Call Dr. Newberger at 703-483-0031 to discuss your situation.
▶ Do you work with couples where infidelity is involved?
Yes. Many couples have rebuilt after infidelity and discovered a deeper connection than before. The first essential step is that the affair must be completely over. From there, healing begins — understanding what happened, why, and carefully restoring trust one step at a time.
▶ Is this therapy?
No. Dr. Newberger is a conflict resolution specialist with a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution, not a licensed therapist. That distinction matters. When therapists bill insurance, they must assign a psychiatric diagnosis to at least one spouse, which becomes part of your permanent medical record. His work carries no such labels. He focuses on understanding each of you as individuals — without pigeonholing you with a label that doesn’t reflect who you truly are.
▶ What is the cost of rebuilding your marriage vs. divorce?
Rebuilding your marriage is a one-time investment, typically $2,000–$6,000. Divorce, by contrast, can cost $15,000–$30,000 or more in legal fees alone for a contested case, plus ongoing expenses like two households, child support, and divided assets. Second marriages carry a higher divorce rate than first. See the full comparison →
▶ Do we have to be religious to work with you?
No. Dr. Newberger offers a Judeo-Christian framework — but it is never imposed. Couples of all backgrounds and beliefs have successfully gone through this process.
Other Questions?
703-483-0031Your Marriage Is Worth Fighting For
If you are struggling in your marriage, there is hope. Hundreds of couples have been where you are now — and found their way back to each other. The first step is a free, no-pressure phone conversation.