New Release from New Life Counseling & Coaching
The UP's of Marriage
Nine Practices That Help Couples Actually Change
Most couples don't fail because they stop loving each other. They fail because no one ever taught them how to stay close.
You promised forever. You meant it. But somewhere between the wedding, the bills, and the late-night arguments, something shifted. In The UP's of Marriage, Dr. Don Gilbert and Jason K. Shanks offer nine simple, repeatable practices that help couples move from reactive patterns to intentional connection.
The Problem
Many couples are struggling not because they stopped caring — but because drift went unchallenged.
Conversations grow shallow. The same frustrations keep resurfacing. You love each other, but you no longer feel as connected as you once did. You don't need a dramatic breakthrough. You need direction — and practiced habits that actually work.
"Formation is what turns occasional love into enduring love."
What You'll Discover
Hope that feels practical.
Practices that actually help.
Blending biblical wisdom, practical tools, emotional insight, and decades of real-life counseling and pastoral experience, The UP's of Marriage gives couples something rare: a framework you can remember and use in the middle of real life.
The Nine Practices
Nine Upward Movements.
One Stronger Marriage.
Each chapter is built around a simple, memorable practice — a relational movement that helps love rise instead of slowly drifting downward.
"You don't need a perfect marriage. You need practiced love."
— The UP's of Marriage
About the Authors
Dr. Don Gilbert
Dr. Donald K. Gilbert is a counselor, speaker, trainer, and leadership coach with more than three decades of experience helping individuals, couples, and organizations grow toward healthier relationships and emotional well-being.
As the founder and president of New Life Counseling & Coaching in Iowa, Dr. Gilbert holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and Religious Studies from Oxford Graduate School, a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Drake University, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board-Certified Trauma Specialist.
Known for blending clinical insight with practical wisdom, Dr. Gilbert specializes in marriage counseling, ADHD testing and coaching, leadership and communication training, and emotional healing. He is also a certified speaker and coach with the John Maxwell Team and a Brain Health Coach through Amen Clinics.
Whether speaking to organizations, churches, or couples, his passion is helping people find healing, clarity, and lasting transformation.
Jason K. Shanks
Jason K. Shanks has served in pastoral ministry for more than 26 years, helping people navigate faith, relationships, and leadership with honesty, grace, and biblical truth. He currently serves as Lead Pastor of The Radiant Collective in the Des Moines area.
Known for his conversational teaching style and pastoral heart, Jason writes and speaks with warmth, humor, and hope. He and his wife, Kristi, have been married for nearly 30 years and live in Iowa.
Get the Book
Your marriage is worth the practice.
Healthy marriages don't drift upward — they're built through small choices, repeated thousands of times across a shared life.
Available now in paperback. Also ideal for small groups, premarital counseling, and marriage retreats.
For bulk orders or speaking inquiries, contact drdoncoaching@gmail.com or call (515) 964-5003.