Therapeutic Friendship

Cultivating Relationships that Heal
Christopher D. O'Rear

In today’s hyper-connected world, loneliness, depression, and anxiety are still on the rise. We’re craving deeper connections and meaningful relationships, but how do we cultivate them? Chris O’Rear, a seasoned clinical therapist and pastoral counselor, offers guidance and hope.

Drawing from thirty years of experience and his own personal journey, Chris shares practical wisdom on building stronger relationships, navigating conflicts, and supporting loved ones through tough times. His compassionate and expert approach will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others, nurture more fulfilling connections, and find resilience in the face of challenges.

Whether you’re a caregiver, therapist, or simply seeking to enrich your relationships, Chris’s insights will empower you to connect more authentically and love more wholeheartedly.

Christoper D. O’Rear is an ordained minister and licensed clinical pastoral therapist in Tennessee and the owner of The Counseling Center, PLLC, in Nashville. He has master’s degrees in divinity in pastoral care and counseling and in marriage and family therapy. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, Chris worked as a hospital chaplain. In addition to his work as a therapist, he is also a teacher, lecturer, and supply preacher and regularly writes lessons for Smyth & Helwys’s Formations curriculum. Chris lives in Nashville with his wife, Lynda, and they have two grown daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law. Chris is an animal lover and enjoys motorcycle riding.

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Paperback

184 pages

9781641735759

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In Stock
$18.00
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184 pages

9781641735766

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Reviews

To the volume of books written to help humans navigate relationships, this book is a wonderful addition. With the training of a therapist and the honesty of one who has learned from his own life, Chris O’Rear offers layers and layers of practical wisdom for how we can relate, grow, and continue to learn from being in community with others. Along the way he offers a rich glimpse of additional material available for how to avoid pitfalls and step toward greater wholeness for everyone.

Judy Skeen
Professor of Religion, Belmont University
Courage & Renewal facilitator,
spiritual director

In a refreshingly straightforward and candid manner, Chris O’Rear draws upon his experience as a pastoral psychotherapist to teach us how to form relationships that heal instead of hurt. His words are both practical and wise. Whether you want to be a better therapist, friend, or family member, this book will be a resource you turn to again and again. Highly recommended!

Bruce Rogers-Vaughn
Associate Professor, Practice of Pastoral Theology and Counseling Vanderbilt Divinity School (retired)
Author of Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age

What I look for in a book are the same things I look for in a therapist or a friend: wisdom, honesty, and bravery, in league with vulnerability, humility, and love. This book has all these qualities, as does Chris O’Rear himself. I’ll be a better therapist—and a better friend—for having read it.

Russell Siler Jones
Psychotherapist and author of Spirit in Session

With genuine authenticity, gleaning on his professional, clinical, and personal experience, Chris offers a solid framework for developing our “emotional toolbox,” inviting us to discover the transformational nature of deep and meaningful relationships. As we strive toward the goal of emotional health, good and healthy relationships with both clinicians and friends help us embrace ourselves to the fullest. In doing so, we become agents of God’s presence and love for others, as we experience God’s love for us through them. Reminding us that it’s about “progress, not perfection,” Chris’s words invited me into a safe and sacred space of rediscovering the therapeutic quality of good and healthy friendships.

Rev. Renée Lloyd Owen, MDiv
Endorser & Director of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Ministries Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

I have been learning from Chris for years, as both friend and fellow church member. He really does embody the “humble curiosity” described in this book. Readers will understand, as I have witnessed in person, how a professional’s experience can mix with a life well lived to yield tremendous insight and care.

Cliff Vaughn
Media Producer, Good Faith Media

In today’s hyper-connected world, loneliness, depression, and anxiety are still on the rise. We’re craving deeper connections and meaningful relationships, but how do we cultivate them? Chris O’Rear, a seasoned clinical therapist and pastoral counselor, offers guidance and hope.

Drawing from thirty years of experience and his own personal journey, Chris shares practical wisdom on building stronger relationships, navigating conflicts, and supporting loved ones through tough times. His compassionate and expert approach will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others, nurture more fulfilling connections, and find resilience in the face of challenges.

Whether you’re a caregiver, therapist, or simply seeking to enrich your relationships, Chris’s insights will empower you to connect more authentically and love more wholeheartedly.

Christoper D. O’Rear is an ordained minister and licensed clinical pastoral therapist in Tennessee and the owner of The Counseling Center, PLLC, in Nashville. He has master’s degrees in divinity in pastoral care and counseling and in marriage and family therapy. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, Chris worked as a hospital chaplain. In addition to his work as a therapist, he is also a teacher, lecturer, and supply preacher and regularly writes lessons for Smyth & Helwys’s Formations curriculum. Chris lives in Nashville with his wife, Lynda, and they have two grown daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law. Chris is an animal lover and enjoys motorcycle riding.

Reviews

To the volume of books written to help humans navigate relationships, this book is a wonderful addition. With the training of a therapist and the honesty of one who has learned from his own life, Chris O’Rear offers layers and layers of practical wisdom for how we can relate, grow, and continue to learn from being in community with others. Along the way he offers a rich glimpse of additional material available for how to avoid pitfalls and step toward greater wholeness for everyone.

Judy Skeen
Professor of Religion, Belmont University
Courage & Renewal facilitator,
spiritual director

In a refreshingly straightforward and candid manner, Chris O’Rear draws upon his experience as a pastoral psychotherapist to teach us how to form relationships that heal instead of hurt. His words are both practical and wise. Whether you want to be a better therapist, friend, or family member, this book will be a resource you turn to again and again. Highly recommended!

Bruce Rogers-Vaughn
Associate Professor, Practice of Pastoral Theology and Counseling Vanderbilt Divinity School (retired)
Author of Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age

What I look for in a book are the same things I look for in a therapist or a friend: wisdom, honesty, and bravery, in league with vulnerability, humility, and love. This book has all these qualities, as does Chris O’Rear himself. I’ll be a better therapist—and a better friend—for having read it.

Russell Siler Jones
Psychotherapist and author of Spirit in Session

With genuine authenticity, gleaning on his professional, clinical, and personal experience, Chris offers a solid framework for developing our “emotional toolbox,” inviting us to discover the transformational nature of deep and meaningful relationships. As we strive toward the goal of emotional health, good and healthy relationships with both clinicians and friends help us embrace ourselves to the fullest. In doing so, we become agents of God’s presence and love for others, as we experience God’s love for us through them. Reminding us that it’s about “progress, not perfection,” Chris’s words invited me into a safe and sacred space of rediscovering the therapeutic quality of good and healthy friendships.

Rev. Renée Lloyd Owen, MDiv
Endorser & Director of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Ministries Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

I have been learning from Chris for years, as both friend and fellow church member. He really does embody the “humble curiosity” described in this book. Readers will understand, as I have witnessed in person, how a professional’s experience can mix with a life well lived to yield tremendous insight and care.

Cliff Vaughn
Media Producer, Good Faith Media

Therapeutic Friendship

Cultivating Relationships that Heal
Christopher D. O'Rear