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Darby Strickland

Darby Strickland is a counselor and faculty member for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. She is the author of Is it Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims. She is also a contributor to the free web-based training curriculum Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused. Darby has a Master of Divinity degree in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary, where she currently teaches a course on counseling people in abusive marriages. She and her husband, John, have three children. Learn more about Darby at her website, darbystrickland.com.

A young couple sits at a table, stressed out over finances. Financial abuse in marriage is a real problem.

What Is Financial Abuse in Marriage?

Darby Strickland, a counselor and teacher at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, defines financial abuse in marriage and offers advice for helping wives who are oppressed in this way.

April 11, 2024

Photo of a young man emotionally hurt from an argument with his wife. The wife looks on from the background. Sometimes it's hard to tell if its a bad conflict or emotional abuse.

Is It Bad Conflict or Emotional Abuse in Your Marriage?

Emotional abuse in marriage is one of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize, but unrepentant patterns are the key to identifying it.

April 10, 2024

Photo of a woman's arms holding off a man's arms in a struggle.

What Is Sexual Abuse in Marriage?

Darby Strickland, a counselor and teacher at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, defines sexual abuse in marriage and explains how wives are oppressed in this way.

February 7, 2024

A man grabs his spouse aggressively.

What Is Physical Abuse in Marriage?

Physical abuse is a means of coercively controlling another through fear and intimidation. It involves intentionally or recklessly using physical force that may result in bodily injury or physical pain.

January 30, 2024

A man has removed his wedding ring, holding it up with one hand and covering his face with the other. His spouse was abusive and he has lost her by setting boundaries for his own safety. He wrestles with guilt over if he did the right thing.

Wrestling with Guilt when Drawing Boundaries with an Abusive Spouse

When dealing with an abusive spouse, you need to be bold, take action, and draw clear boundaries for your own safety. God loves you. And He hates the abuse you endure.

October 6, 2023

Promotional image for Focus on the Family broadcast Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

Darby Strickland offers listeners guidance from her book Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims.

October 20, 2021

Photo of a wall and chain between the viewer and the church, symbolizing spiritual abuse keeping you away from God.

What Is Spiritual Abuse in Marriage?

Darby Strickland, a counselor and teacher at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, defines spiritual abuse in marriage and offers advice for helping wives who are oppressed in this way.

September 13, 2021