| MAIN ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE • UPDATE ON THE
NEW CUSTOMIZED VERSION OF PREPARE
• MAREAA – NEW WEBSITE • FOUR WAYS TO USE THE INVENTORIES • IS THE COMBINATION METHOD EFFECTIVE? UPDATE ON THE NEW CUSTOMIZED VERSION OF PREPARE As we noted in the previous newsletter, a new version of the Prepare-Enrich materials will be introduced into Australia later this year and will be called Prepare-Enrich: The Customized Version. It was first released for use in the USA in January 2009 and we are aiming to have it available in Australia in by September 2009. The Australian version will be tailor-made for local use. The new version will only be available on-line (but with provision for downloading hard copies of booklets and data entry by Administrators if they so desire). Instead of the five versions we have in Version 2000, we now have the potential for, literally, many hundred versions of PREPARE/ENRICH. The five PREPARE/ENRICH inventories in Version 2000 were: PREPARE (for premarital couples), PREPARE-CC (for Cohabiting Couples), PREPARE-MC (for Marriage with Children), ENRICH (for married couples) and MATE (for couples over 55 years of age). The Customized Version is based on background questions the couple answers about their relationship. The first main category is the stage of their relationship - whether they are dating, engaged or married. Additional questions relate to their age, cultural and religious differences and whether there are children involved in the relationship. Depending on the answers to these questions the Customized Version creates the most relevant variety of scales for a particular couple. We anticipate that the Australian office will be mailing Administrators in stages from late August 2009 to inform them that the new version is available. They will be informed as to how they can obtain more detailed information on the Customized Version and exactly how to begin using it. Further training will not be necessary - any active Administrator trained in Version 2000 will have access to the new version if they so desire. For more detail, if you missed the December 2008 Newsletter, please go to: USA ADMINISTRATORS POSITIVE ABOUT THE NEW CUSTOMIZED VERSION The US office surveyed 1,000 facilitators who have used the new version, and over 90% of them praised the various features, indicating that: • It is easy to
navigate and use online
• Improvements have been made to Facilitator's Report • The new Couple's Report is a wonderful addition • The Couple's Workbook with over 20 exercises is great • 94% would highly recommend it to a colleague AUSTRALIAN TRAINERS CONFERENCE DAY In May 2009 over twenty Prepare-Enrich Trainers met at the Airport Holiday Inn in Sydney. They were trained and accredited as Trainers in the new Customized Version. We also worked to develop a new Training Model for the new version and for optional update workshops associated with the Customized Version for Version 2000 Administrators who would like to take advantage of such an opportunity. NEW PRESIDENT OF LIFE INNOVATIONS (USA) David Olson has announced that Dr. Peter Larson is now President of Life Innovations (the USA office of Prepare-Enrich). During his five years as Vice President, he co-developed the new Customized Version, and the online Couple Checkup. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in working with Seminar Directors (Prepare-Enrich Trainers in the USA) and learning the operational systems within our organization. David and Karen Olson will be switching to a more active role as advisors and less active in day-to-day operations. WELCOME TO NEW TRAINERS Two new Trainers have recently joined our team: Stephen Hall, a member of the Anglican church in Lismore, NSW. Stephen is a high frequency user of Version 2000 and has a great deal of experience in running training seminars; Mark Riessen, a Church of Christ Pastor in Adelaide. Mark has much experience in running seminars and workshops within his own and other churches. Thanks Stephen and Mark for coming on board and we look forward to working with you both. MAREAA – NEW WEBSITE Marriage and Relationship Education is an adult education activity designed to inform and enrich relationships and individuals. Members of MAREAA (Marriage and Relationship Educators’ Association of Australia) facilitate programs for individuals, couples, families and groups of all ages. Programs may include preparation for marriage, skills for strengthening relationships, school programs, parenting, stepfamilies, men’s issues, workplace relationships, personal development, conflict management, rebuilding after separation or divorce. MAREAA is a body of enthusiastic, dynamic, creative group of educators. They are committed to encouraging and equipping people to achieve fulfilling relationships. MAREAA aims to support educators in their ongoing professional development through networking, in service training opportunities, conferences, sharing of resources plus much more. MAREAA has active members in most states and territories, For more information about MAREAA see the website at: FOUR WAYS TO USE THE INVENTORIES Elizabeth Dalzell and Erich von Dietze, our Trainers in Western Australia, have identified four different methods of working with any of the Prepare-Enrich inventories and the different types of skill associated with each method. 1. Feedback Method Using the resource to identify areas of strengths and growths with the couple, the Administrator then develops discussion with the couple around these topics: Facilitation Skills are needed. 2. Workbook Method The Administrator uses the exercises in the workbook and teaches couple specific skills within the book plus others available to the Administrator: Marriage and relationship Education skills are needed. 3. Combination Method This method is a combination of first and second methods. Giving the couple feedback and discussing their results plus teaching the couple specific skills using relevant exercises from the workbook plus using other material that the Administrator is able to make available: Marriage and Relationship Education skills are needed. 4. Therapy Method This resource can be used as a diagnostic tool for counsellors to use when working with couples. It helps couples to see their relationship from a different perspective and can identify possible strengths when they may be focusing on their weaknesses. It can also be used to help couples confront possible deeper issues at any stage of their relationships and through counselling, help them to work through them: Couple counselling training and skills are needed. It is important that Administrators use the resource using methods within their means of expertise. We strongly encourage ongoing professional development and supervision from appropriate colleagues, as necessary. IS THE COMBINATION METHOD EFFECTIVE? A study by Busby, Ivey, Harris and Ates (2007) presented the findings of an investigation of the effectiveness of 3 models of premarital education. The authors compared the outcomes between a workbook-only self-directed program, a therapist-directed (unstructured) program, and an assessment-based relationship enhancement program. Results revealed significant differences in effectiveness between the 3 approaches at the 6-month follow-up. The assessment-based program had more influence than the therapist-directed and self-directed programs on problem areas and was better than the therapist-directed program at improving communication and relationship satisfaction. Participants indicated that the most helpful aspects of these programs were the opportunity to discuss previously undiscussed issues, improvements in communication, and the perspectives provided by the facilitator. This finding suggests that the use of an inventory-based program, one that includes giving the couple feedback and discussing their results plus teaching the couple specific skills using relevant exercises from the workbook plus using other material that the Administrator is able to make available, would be expected to be highly effective. Reference: Busby, D., Ivey, D., Harris, S. & Ates, C. (2007). Self-directed, therapist-directed, and assessment-based interventions for premarital couples. Family Relations, 56, 279-290. CONFLICTED COUPLES - AN AUSTRALIAN RESOURCE STUDY As shown in the previous article, there can be little doubt that the experience of family of origin is an important area for investigation among couples taking PREPARE. A booklet by Dr Alan Craddock (National Coordinator of PREPARE-ENRICH Australia and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, The University of Sydney) has been written solely for PREPARE-ENRICH Administrators. This booklet is entitled Origins: Family Experiences of premarital Couples and has three main aims: 1. To identify the different types of premarital couples in a large national sample of Australian couples participating in the PREPARE program. In particular, the aim is to identify and explore the main differences between highly satisfied (vitalised) and more troubled (conflicted) premarital couples. 2. To examine the differences in family background of vitalised versus conflicted premarital couples in the National sample. Of major interest is any link between negative experiences within family of origin in the past (separateness, rigidity and exposure to abuse) and present difficulties in couple relationship. 3. To explore the practical implications of these findings, particularly when working with conflicted premarital couples. General strategies for working with conflicted couples are also described. The study represents the drawing together of trends and patterns identified in the data from over 500 Australian PREPARE couples, with a view to identifying areas for work with conflicted premarital couples. These areas for work are not based on biased speculation but are identified by means of careful investigation of the research data. The cost is only $12 and this includes postage and GST. To order this booklet call (02) 9545 4566 or email us at info@prepare-enrich.com.au ENCOURAGING NEW ADMINISTRATORS Please let your colleagues know about PREPARE-ENRICH and tell them about our website (www.prepare-enrich.com.au). On that site they can read information about all the PREPARE materials and resources. By clicking on the training link on the Administrators' homepage, they can locate a workshop or find contact details for a Trainer in their area. PLEASE MAKE USE OF OUR HINTS ON THE WEB We are strongly committed to helping you to work as competently as possible with the PREPARE-ENRICH materials. Every two months, at the beginning of a month we place a brief (usually one page) article focusing on a matter or theme that is likely to be helpful to PREPARE-ENRICH administrators. Sometimes this is a brief summary of relevant research, sometimes a practical suggestion, and sometimes a way of thinking about couples' issues. It is good to get into the habit of reading these bimonthly hints. The current hint, and an archive of all the previous hints posted, can be accessed from the Administrators' main page at: Any updated news items are also included. |
| Editor: Dr. Alan Craddock, National Coordinator of Prepare-Enrich (Australia). |