CHERISH
The Cherish team focuses on Christian Sex therapy. The team is lead by Dr. Jessica McCleese, who is certified through the American Board of Christian Sex Therapist (ABCST) and is training her students to work with clients from this framework.
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Foundational Scripture
"...and the two shall become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh."
Mark 10:8
ABCST Theology of Sex
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Our sexuality is part of God's creation and is a good gift from God intended for us to take delight in.
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God's revealed will for sexual expression includes sexual fidelity in marriage and chastity outside of marriage.
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Sexuality, like all parts of who we are as persons, has been affected by the Fall as evidenced by desires that are not in keeping with God's will for sexual expression.
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God is working in our lives to redeem His people, and we, as sexual beings, participate in that redemptive experience.
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Ultimately, all of our incompleteness will be made complete in God's economy, as God's purposes to redeem His creation are fulfilled in Glorification.
Student Experience
As a current second year in Regent’s Clinical Psychology PsyD Program, I have been a part of the CHERISH research group since it began in January 2024. I have found great interest in this research group because of my desire to work with couples. In couple's counseling, concerns with intimacy or sexual healing are common topics that may arise. So, having an opportunity to receive training and consultation on cases that revolve around sexual topics has been beneficial. Additionally, I believe that sexual concerns or sexual healing are not talked about enough. These concerns are likely more common than you think – maybe it is not yourself, but someone close to you or in your vicinity that has been affected by this.
This research team has provided a breadth of information and training specifically in this area that I would not have otherwise received. I have learned about sexual pain, sexual healing, desire differences, sex addiction, and about the role our Christian values can play in this. I have gained insight into what types of interventions can be utilized in the therapy room when these types of concerns arise. These teachings have enhanced my knowledge and confidence in discussing and working on these concerns with clients. The CHERISH research team also acts as a specialty clinic. This means that by being part of this group and receiving training on these topics, I get to receive clients (individuals or couples) who present to the Psychological Services Center with sexual-related concerns.
Our research group meets for one hour every other week. During these meetings, one or two clinicians who are actively seeing CHERISH cases, whether individual or couples therapy, present their case. We use this time to consult and discuss what is going on in the case and future directions to provide the clients with the best possible treatment. This also gives the clinician the chance to ask questions to the group, seek out guidance on other routes they may be able to explore and hear other perspectives on items that they may not have otherwise considered. This is beneficial for all clinicians and other members of the research group to learn and practice conceptualizing these types of cases. The CHERISH research team is a unique opportunity to learn about and work with distinct issues that many people deal with at some point in their lives. If you have even the slightest interest, I would highly encourage you to check it out and give it a try.
— Alexis Bonn, 2nd Year Psy.D. Student