We are a community of psychologists and psychologists-in-training working together to develop the hope approach to couple counseling, and provide excellent care.  Dr. Jennifer Ripley is the Hope project director and Dr. Jim Sells is a co-supervisor.  Therapists are in their 2nd-4th year in doctoral training to become psychologists in the APA-Accredited doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Regent University.  This project is under the umbrella of the Charis Institute at Regent University, co-directed by Dr. Sells and Dr. Ripley, Hughes endowed professors of Psychology and Counseling.

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The Hope approach to couple counseling was started by Dr. Everett L. Worthington Jr., at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Dr. Ripley joined with Ev to develop the Hope approach in 1994.