608 | Peacemaking: Resolving Conflict and Restoring Relationships for Clinicians and Ministries 

Studies have consistently demonstrated comorbidity between unresolved interpersonal conflict and various mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, suicidality, substance use, family stability, workplace performance, and overall well-being. However, psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, medical professionals, and ministry leaders are often not equipped with evidence-based strategies to help individual clients effectively manage the distress of significant conflicts. This workshop will contrast exogenous and endogenous theories of conflict psychology and review evidence of comorbid disorders. The presenter will discuss research-based strategies that help clients resolve conflicts and forgive offenses, then demonstrate how these techniques correspond with a simple, practical model of biblical conflict resolution called Peace Pursuit. Using a case study, participants will practice a reframing technique from the model. As a group, participants will describe scenarios when they could effectively utilize techniques in this model with willing Christian clients and then appraise its overall potential to help strengthen clients’ internal locus of control and a general sense of peace and stability by promoting Christ as the foundation of their identity and well-being. The implications of using the model with willing non-Christian clients will be discussed.