The Role of Active Listening and Empathy in Christian Marriage Counselling

Effective Christian Marriage Counselling requires strategies that address relational, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of marital life. This study examined the role of active listening and empathy in enhancing marital satisfaction, facilitating conflict resolution, and promoting relational growth in Christian marriages. A mixed-methods design was employed, including a survey of 150 individuals (75 couples) and semi-structured interviews with 30 participants (15 couples). Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed five key themes: enhanced communication and understanding, emotional validation and empathy, conflict resolution and problem-solving, spiritual integration in counselling, and increased marital satisfaction and relational growth. Findings indicate that active listening and empathy are central to effective counselling, creating a supportive environment that fosters relational repair and emotional intimacy. Integration of spiritual guidance further amplifies these benefits. The study highlights the importance of relational, emotional, and spiritual skills in Christian counselling and provides practical implications for counsellor training, church-based support programs, and couple engagement strategies.