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Harold Arnold

Harold L. Arnold

Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr. is the president and founder of Discovering Family International (DFI), an organization that promotes the virtues and values of family life through education, consulting, and counseling. Dr. Arnold is also the creator of the biblically-centered Marriage ROCKS program, a marriage ministry that teaches couples the tenets of discovering authentic meaning in marriage.

Dr. Arnold earned a Ph.D. and Master’s degree from Temple University in Social and Organizational Psychology. Dr. Arnold also holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Arnold is a social and organizational psychologist with specific interests in issues pertaining to marriage and family education, church culture, African-American leadership, and cross-cultural competence.

Dr. Arnold resides in the Philadelphia metropolitan area with his wife, Dalia, and two children, Quilan and Kyrsten.

Interethnic couple smiling at the camera

Marriage in the Melting Pot

As inter-ethnic marriages continue to increase, this trend holds tremendous promise for marriages that can transform differences into assets rather than succumb to them as liabilities.

black gyroscope spinning atop table

Finding Stability Amidst Marriage Stressors

Couples lose their orientation towards God and each other when buffeted by cultural ideology, family history and personal choices that are contrary to God’s plan.

interracial couple smiling at camera

Overcoming Role Confusion and Boundary Threats

By following a three-step process, couples from differing ethnic backgrounds can overcome the marital stressors resulting from the conflicting cultural assumptions they bring to the marriage.

A couples dressed for a wedding walk through a field of wheat.

A Measure of GRACE

Inter-ethnic marriages are often plagued by communication lapses, typically because self-interests are prioritized over partnership. Effective communication requires grace-filled attitudes and behaviors.

Defending Your Marriage From External Stressors

God has made provisions for you to withstand negative influences on your marriage.

Married couple holding hand

Faith, Family, Friends, Finances and Food

Inter-ethnic couples face key decisions early in the marriage that establish their foundation. By intentionally attending to these decisions, they leverage their differences as strengths.

A man and a woman smile at each other lovingly.

Defending Your Marriage Against Mediocrity

When couples compromise on obedience to God, their marriages drift towards mediocrity. Abundant marriage, however, is within reach when attending to five key areas.

man holding woman in arms

Ten Tips for Protecting Your Cross-Cultural Marriage From Outside Influences

External stressors are magnified in cross cultural marriages because of disappointments when cultural assumptions are unmet. Developing a shared identity is the key to growth.

brown wood planks

Shaving Planks

Marriages only thrive as each spouse accepts responsibility for the impact of their own disappointments, fears and priorities on the relationship.

Commitment: The First Defense Against Marital Stressors

Unconditional commitment is the key to resisting marital stressors. This is accomplished by attending to each other’s needs, honest communication and timely encouragement.

couple with feet side by side in green and black sneakers

Cross-Cultural Marriage Mentoring

Cross-cultural marriage mentoring offers an attractive framework for racial and marital harmony by dispelling false assumptions and demonstrating how to constructively work through differences.

A man and a woman lean into one another.

It’s About TIME: Building the CORE of Your Marriage

Busyness is the enemy of marriage. Restoring intimacy to marriage requires an intentional effort to spend time communicating openly and empathically with one another.