Information for Couples
 
How the program works 

Goals of the program 

Contact details for enquiries
 
 
 
How the program works
 
A trained PREPARE-ENRICH educator, counsellor or marriage celebrant will administer to you and your partner, separately, a set of questions from one of the PREPARE, PREPARE-CC, PREPARE-MC, ENRICH or MATE Inventories. 
  • PREPARE - for premarital couples
  • PREPARE-CC - for cohabiting premarital couples
  • PREPARE-MC - for premarital couples with children 
  • ENRICH - for married couples 
  • MATE - for couples over the age of 50 
After being invited to participate and having the program explained to you by your Administrator, the first step is to take one of the inventories in order to provide a self-report description of your relationship: 

In Australia, your answer sheets and scoring fee (A$44.00 includes GST) are sent to the Prepare-Enrich office in Sydney. The answer sheets are scanned and scored and the results are summarised in a 15-page Computer Report that is sent to the Administrator together with other resources associated with the program. The scoring service operates on a daily basis in the working week and returns are normally completed on the same day they are received by the office. The material is coded and no names are attached to the answer sheets or the report. 

As well as providing important background information, twenty areas are covered in each of the inventories, and individual and couple responses in these areas are summarised in the report: 

A. Significant Issues for Couples: 

  • Communication 
  • Conflict Resolution 
  • Personality Issues 
  • Financial Management 
  • Marital Leisure Activities 
  • Sexual Expectations 
  • Children and Parenting 
  • Family and Friends 
  • Realistic Expectations 
  • Idealistic Distortions 
  • Role Relationship 
  • Spiritual Beliefs 
B. Personality: 
  • Assertiveness 
  • Self Confidence 
  • Avoidance 
  • Partner Dominance 
C: Closeness and Flexibility of Family-of-Origin 

D: Closeness and Flexibility of Couple Relationship/Marriage 

The next step is for you to return for a number of feedback sessions (as determined by you and the Administrator). You will receive a 25 page workbook called Building A Strong Marriage which is designed to help you to complete six exercises that are intended to complement the feedback dialogue being facilitated by the Administrator. 
Goals of the program
 
  • Explore couple strength & growth areas 
  • Strengthen couple communication skills 
  • Learn Ten Steps for Resolving Couple Conflict 
  • Explore family-of-origin issues 
  • Develop financial budget & plans 
  • Develop personal, couple & family goals 
Contact details for enquiries
 
To be put in contact with a PREPARE-ENRICH administrator please call our National Office on (02) 9545 4566 in Sydney and we will provide you with details of an appropriate person or agency in your state or territory.