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Part of the Premarital Counseling Series: Building Covenant Through Relational Integrity — Course 3 of 10

Premarital Counseling Series — Course 3

Core Section — Building Covenant

Family Systems, Generational Patterns, and Marriage

Building Covenant Through Relational Integrity

How your family of origin shaped your relational blueprint — and how to identify and interrupt generational patterns before they define your marriage.

6 Modules Self-Paced Dual Sign-In Included Biblically Grounded
Premarital Series · Course 3
$199

Coming Soon · Introductory course available now

Coming Soon

Enrollment for this in-depth series course is not open yet. Start with the introductory course for current enrollment.

✓ 6 in-depth family systems modules
✓ Biblical integration every module
✓ Dual access for both partners
✓ Three-generation genogram exercise
✓ Pattern-breaking framework

Course Objectives

What You Will Build Together

1
Understand Bowen Family Systems Theory — differentiation, triangulation, emotional cutoff
2
Map relational patterns across three generations using genogram work
3
Understand how trauma transmits across generations through behavior and stress response
4
Practice differentiation — leaving the family of origin well, and cleaving to your spouse
5
Navigate extended family loyalty and boundaries without severing healthy connection
6
Build a practical framework for breaking unhelpful generational patterns together

Biblical Foundation

Scripture That Anchors This Course

This course is built on the biblical call to "leave and cleave" — honoring family of origin while establishing a new, primary covenant bond.

Genesis 2:24

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife." — The biblical foundation for differentiation and the new marital unit.

Exodus 20:5-6

"...visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children... to a thousand generations of those who love me." — Generational patterns, and the greater weight of covenant faithfulness.

Ephesians 6:2-3

"Honor your father and mother... that it may go well with you." — Honoring family of origin without being defined by it.

Dr. Donetta Quinones

Your Instructor

Dr. Donetta Quinones

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) · Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Dr. Quinones brings over 20 years of clinical experience spanning jail cells, rehab centers, and private practice. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a PhD in Psychology, graduate training in forensic psychology, and certification as a Human Behavior Consultant, she integrates trauma science with biblical truth throughout her teaching and curriculum development. She holds tri-state licensure and has spent her career sitting with the most broken relationships — and watching them heal.

PhD in Psychology · MA, Forensic Psychology PhD · LPC · LMHC Program Development Certified Human Behavior Consultant

Course Curriculum

6 Modules — From Family Blueprint to New Foundation

Each module builds understanding of the family systems each partner carries into marriage — and how to build something new together.

1

Module 1

Family Systems Theory: The Foundation

Introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory — differentiation of self, triangulation, emotional cutoff, family projection, and multigenerational transmission. How the family is the original relational training ground.

Key Topics
  • Bowen Family Systems Theory
  • Differentiation of self
  • Triangulation & emotional cutoff
  • Multigenerational transmission
Biblical Integration
  • Genesis 2:24 — leave and be united
  • Proverbs 22:6 — train up a child in the way he should go
2

Module 2

Your Family Blueprint: Mapping the Patterns You Carry

Using genogram work to identify relational patterns across three generations — communication styles, conflict responses, emotional expression, power dynamics, and unresolved grief.

Key Topics
  • Genogram mapping
  • Three-generation patterns
  • Communication & conflict styles
  • Unresolved grief
Biblical Integration
  • Exodus 20:5-6 — generational patterns and covenant faithfulness
  • Numbers 14:18 — patient, abounding in love, forgiving
3

Module 3

Generational Trauma and Relational Inheritance

How trauma transmits across generations through behavioral patterns, physiological stress responses, and relational templates. The epigenetics of inherited wound patterns.

Key Topics
  • Generational trauma transmission
  • Stress response patterns
  • Relational templates
  • Inherited wound patterns
Biblical Integration
  • Lamentations 3:22-23 — his mercies are new every morning
  • Ezekiel 18:20 — the child will not share the guilt of the parent
4

Module 4

Differentiation: Leaving and Cleaving Well

The biblical and psychological process of leaving the family of origin and cleaving to a spouse. How differentiation — the ability to be yourself in close relationships — protects the new covenant unit.

Key Topics
  • Leaving family of origin well
  • Cleaving to a spouse
  • Differentiation in practice
  • Protecting the new unit
Biblical Integration
  • Genesis 2:24 — leave and cleave
  • Matthew 19:5-6 — the two shall become one flesh
5

Module 5

Extended Family, Loyalty, and Boundaries

How to navigate extended family loyalty conflicts, competing expectations, and cultural pressures. Building the primary marital bond without severing healthy family connections.

Key Topics
  • Extended family loyalty
  • Competing expectations
  • Cultural pressures
  • Boundaries without severing
Biblical Integration
  • Ephesians 6:2-3 — honor your father and mother
  • Ruth 1:16-17 — where you go, I will go
6

Module 6

Breaking Generational Patterns: A Practical Framework

Identifying which inherited patterns are life-giving and which must be consciously interrupted. A couple’s framework for naming the patterns, owning their impact, and building new relational norms.

Key Topics
  • Naming inherited patterns
  • Life-giving vs. harmful patterns
  • Owning impact together
  • New relational norms
Biblical Integration
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 — the old has gone, the new has come
  • Romans 12:2 — be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Who This Course Is For

Built for Couples Ready to Understand Where They Come From

This course is for engaged or seriously committed couples who want to understand the family patterns each partner carries — and consciously choose what to keep and what to leave behind.

💍

Engaged Couples

Preparing for marriage and wanting to understand each other’s family history before building a shared home.

🌳

Couples from Very Different Families

Partners raised in different family cultures who want a shared framework for navigating the differences.

⛪

Faith-Based Couples

Couples who want to honor family of origin while building a marriage grounded in covenant, not just habit.

🏡

Couples Aware of Repeating Patterns

Partners who’ve noticed themselves repeating a parent’s pattern and want to consciously interrupt it.

Know What You’re Carrying In

Every couple brings two family systems into one marriage. This course gives you the map — so you can keep what’s life-giving and consciously leave the rest behind.

$199
Courses 1-10 Coming Soon · Introductory course available now
Coming Soon

In-depth series enrollment is coming soon

Program Clarity

GraceRoot courses are psychoeducational learning programs, not emergency care, legal advice, or a replacement for therapy. Certificates document GraceRoot completion. Court, employer, board, or continuing education acceptance should be confirmed before purchase unless a page states a specific approval.

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