For students at Oklahoma Christian University who are married, engaged or dating, the university’s counseling center is offering a free event this weekend.
Growing a Healthy Relationship is a two-part retreat designed for college students in serious relationships. This year’s theme of “Communication: The Key to a Great Relationship,” consists of two sessions. The first will take place on Friday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the second on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The second part of the retreat Nov. 15 is a date night held at a restaurant in Oklahoma City. During this follow-up session, couples will reflect on what they learned and put into practice from the first part of the retreat.
According to student announcements, the retreat will touch on the topics of communicating effectively, listening well, teamwork, building a relationship around Christ and more.
Growing a Healthy Relationship is in its 10th year serving couples at Oklahoma Christian. Brenda Gunter, a marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor, works at Oklahoma Christian’s counseling center and has been with the relationship retreat since it started. She said she encourages students to attend the retreat because the skills learned there are incredibly valuable.
“I think it’s important to develop these skills,” Gunter said. “It’s not necessarily skills that you learn on your own—being able to have good communication between you and your partner.”
In addition to learning about how to make relationships work, the retreat also provides an opportunity to meet new people.
“I think it’s a good time they can have,” Gunter said. “They’re able to meet some other couples, too, and have some fun. A lot of the time, the couples will learn from one another.”
Growing a Healthy Relationship is a program offered by the Center for Healthy Relationships (CHR), an organization endowed by John Brown University. According to their website, one goal of offering relationship curriculum to universities is to “promote healthy relationships by increasing emotional and relational intelligence.”
Christian universities can apply for this program and if accepted, the CHR will cover the costs of the retreat, including bringing in speakers and free meals for attendants. This year’s speakers are Jeff and Mary Sanders. Jeff Sanders is a pastor and counselor with more than 25 years of experience, and Mary Sanders is a marriage and family therapist. They will speak at the seminars on Friday and Saturday.
Those interested in attending the retreat can register by emailing Rachelle Goodin in the Counseling Center. Meals are provided for the Friday and Saturday sessions, as well as for the date night in November. Gift card giveaways and other activities will also be held.
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