I Believe
I believe that there is always more to learn when it comes to loving the people who matter the most to us, and that it is within our most important relationships that real growth and the deepest joy abides.
About Debby Gullery
I am a relationship coach with over 25 years of experience coaching and teaching relationship and marriage seminars. I’m also the author of Small Steps to Bigger Love: A Practical Guide to Marriage as a Spiritual Practice, that includes a small group study guide.
I love to teach people new ways of looking at themselves and their loved ones, and believe that there is always more to learn when it comes to loving the people who matter the most to us. I have a toolbox full of practical, simple strategies that help individuals prepare for or heal from relationships, helps couples to communicate better and become more intentional, and help parents and their young adult children find common ground and deeper connection.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Community and Social Change and studied at the Blanton Peale Institute for Pastoral Counseling. I have trained in many of the best marriage and relationship education programs, including Michelle Weiner Davis' Divorce-Busting, John Gottman, PREP and Relationship Enhancement.
I have also created my own curriculum for young adults, engaged couples, and married couples. I’ve taught relationship skills and media literacy for several gap programs, and conducted workshops for engaged and married couples around the country and abroad. I am also experienced in working with teens, young adults and couples who may be struggling with pornography.
It is my deepest desire to continue to help young people, their parents and couples of every age and stage to improve and deepen their connection of heart with their loved ones.
Debby Gullery Success Stories
Growing to Greatness Workshop for Young Adults
Debby conducted a two-day workshop for our Gap Program. The participants were between 18 and 21, and she had them captivated for the whole weekend! She covered important topics like media literacy, communicating with parents, goal-making and healthy strategies for emotional growth, and the Q&A sessions were phenomenal. She answered their questions with expertise and sensitivity and made it safe for the participants to bring up challenging topics like pornography and addiction. We invite her back every year!more
– Louise Honey, Generation Peace Academy, NY
Start Smart
Engaged couples
We ask Debby back every year to our present at our annual Engaged Couples Retreat. Her content is great, and her delivery is even better! The couples were laughing, crying and interacting the whole weekend their reflections showed that they all felt more connected to each other and more prepared for their futures.more
– Crescentia DeGeode, National Director, Blessed Family Ministry
Small Steps to Bigger Love Book Review On Amazon
Couples
moreSeptember 30, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very practical, easy to read, step by step guide to improving your marraige. Covers all topics from communication, to dealing with in-laws, sex,kids quality time, money problems, etc. Has small chapters, questions for study groups at the end and practical tips. I am a lay person and am using it as a tool for an upcoming workshop to help young married couples.I love the clarity, simplicity, tools and suggestions at the end of the chapters. Also, it has a nice spiritual element which would be great to use in youth groups or small study groups. One of the best most simple, clear, books on how to improve your relationship in small but effective ways I have ever read. Highly recommended it for educators or anyone in the marraige counseling profession, pastors priests, etc.and for any married person looking for a simple but effective way to improve their marraige. Also, like the non-psycho babble down-to-earth terminology. Anyone can read this book and understand it. Great gift for newlyweds or old time couples like myself.
My husband and I read it together and realized so much about how we communicate and we are in our 60's, but would be great for young couples especially because of its simplicity.
Small Steps to Bigger Love Book Review on Amazon
Couples
moreFebruary 25, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Hi, just finished this great little book; it's a fun, quick read. I like how each chapter is a morsel of wisdom, that can be easily snacked on, when you have a few extra minutes. After all, how many of us have time to dive into a massive, theoretical book? Especially one that makes weighty claims. This book is refreshingly direct; all of the guidance is sound and practical; as I said, even if you only put one or two of Debby's strategies in place you and your partner would make progress. In particular, I relate to her idea of marriage as a spiritual practice; as a way to grow, in partnership with another human being... while I realize 'spiritual' is an over-used and murky concept, it holds the possibility for depth and meaning.... and marriage can be part of that depth and meaning; it kind of has to be, really. Looking forward to this author's next book.
High Noon Conference on the Challenges of Pornography
We invited Debby to present at our first national High Noon conference on the impact of pornography in our current culture. She gave three powerful presentations on the challenges of pornography for parents, for singles and for couples. She was informed, direct and sensitive, and managed to challenge and uplift the audience at the same time.more
She also conducted several breakout sessions for people whose partners were struggling with porn addiction, and they were well attended and deeply appreciated by the participants.
- John Williams, Director, High Noon
Relationship Coaching Client
Engaged couples
I began working with Debby before I was engaged. I had just come out of a difficult relationship and needed perspective and healing. Her coaching style was the perfect mix of challenge and support and I loved how practical her approach was. About a year later, when I met the man of my dreams, she worked with us to navigate some tough issues that came up around the area of commitment and sexuality. We recently got married and Debby was a guest of honor at our wedding!more