02 Feb 2022 Couple’s Therapist Dr. Judy Tiesel-Jensen celebrates love, trust, commitment

By Susan Peterson

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and intimacy. But sometimes those feelings can wane.

Dr. Judy Tiesel-Jensen, a noted psychologist and family therapist, defines intimacy as “to know and be known — in body, mind, and spirit.” According to her, intimacy involves love, trust, commitment, and risk taking, and there are ways couples can improve or regain it, as she explains in her book “Invitation to Intimacy: What the Marriage of Two Couples Therapists Reveals About Risk, Transformation, and the Astonishing Healing Power of Intimacy.”

In this newly published work, which is described as part relationship guide and part memoir, Judy candidly recalls moments of her 35-year marriage to Reuel Tiesel after his diagnosis of Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time of his diagnosis, both worked as family therapists and couples’ counselors in their thriving private practice in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. She and Reuel offered parenting workshops and marriage retreats before specializing in co-therapy with couples.

But despite the specialized knowledge they shared daily with their own clients, they faced the same challenges as everyone, as Judy clearly relates in the book. Readers describe her writing as open, honest, and relevant.

Following Reuel’s death in 2007, Judy began writing as a way to help channel her grief. She recalled vignettes from their time together and included insights taken from private counseling sessions. She added to her story over the years and one day realized her memoir might serve as a legacy for their children, possibly giving them insights into overcoming conflicts, dealing with adversity, and coping with grief.

It was in early 2020, during the COVID-19 downtime, that the book crystallized. She put finishing touches on the manuscript and sent it to her three adult children. A daughter-in-law told Judy how helpful the book was for them. That’s when she realized that even though her writing was not initially intended as a self-help book, it could be helpful to others.

With the encouragement of her family, Judy decided to publish her work. She took her manuscript to Et Alia Press in Little Rock, and they enthusiastically agreed to accept it. By November 2021, it was in print, selling online and in stores.

Understanding the human psyche was always something that interested Judy. Growing up in funeral homes allowed her to observe family dynamics at their best and worst. During the early years of their marriage, Reuel worked as a pastor in various locations around the country, and her concern began to focus on the unique stressors of clergy couples.

After 18 years of pastoring while raising three children, the couple changed course, Reuel moving to support Judy’s graduate work. After her licensure, she opened a private practice in Minneapolis, where he joined her. Judy earned a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and psychologist emeritus and holds numerous memberships in professional organizations.

Today, Judy lives in Maumelle with her husband, Dr. Peter Jensen. The two met while both were working in Minnesota. With his specialty in child and adolescent psychiatry, the two found much in common, both personally and professionally.

Following their engagement, Peter was recruited for a position at UAMS, and they made the leap from Minneapolis to Maumelle. In 2015, they exchanged wedding vows in their new home overlooking the Arkansas River.

Judy is now edging her way into “creative” retirement. Combined, the couple have a total of eight children and 15 grandchildren. She enjoys watching the wildlife along the river and is appreciative of the natural beauty and milder winters that the 501 area offers.

“Invitation to Intimacy” is available from Amazon and other online sites. If ordering from Et Alia Press (etaliapress.com), use the code 501LOVE for a 10% discount and ^$1 shipping (now through Aug. 5).