ORIGINAL PAPER Relationship Conflict and Restoration Model: A Preliminary Exploration of Concepts and Therapeutic Utility John Beckenbach • Shawn Patrick • James Sells Published online: 5 June 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 Abstract The article examines preliminary results of the reconciliation cycle presented as part of the Relationship Conflict and Restoration Model (RCRM). This model is an integration of attachment theory, contextual family therapy, and narrative approaches. The model was implemented in a workshop format with 5 couples. Implications from this workshop are presented regarding the relationship between the primary constructs of the reconciliation cycle. Initial impressions indicate that the constructs of justice, empathy, trust, forgiveness, and grace are related to a couple’s overall experience of intimacy, offering support for the model. Implications of the RCRM are discussed. Keywords Couples counseling Á Conflict Á Reconciliation Introduction The examination of relational conflict, particularly conflict occurring in marriage has been a primary focus of social science research for decades because of its long-established strong relation to marital satisfaction and global life outcomes (Heavey et al. 1995; Shi 2003). Over the past 40 years, cognitive-behavioral researchers have articulated models of couples conflict and models of intervention that examined the reciprocating communica- tion process occurring in relational dyads (Gottman 1999; Gottman et al. 1976; Jacobson The authors John Beckenbach, Shawn Patrick, James Sells contributed equally to this manuscript. J. Beckenbach (&) Á S. Patrick Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology, Department of Education, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666, USA e-mail: Jb89@txstate.edu S. Patrick e-mail: Sp27@txstate.edu J. Sells School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, USA e-mail: jsells@regent.edu 123 Contemp Fam Ther (2010) 32:290–301 DOI 10.1007/s10591-010-9117-3