| How the program works |
| PREPARE-ENRICH: The
Customized Version The PREPARE-ENRICH program is designed to assist a variety of professionals (mainly counsellors, educators and religious celebrants) working with premarital or married couples. Professionals who have been trained and accredited to use the PREPARE-ENRICH materials in Australia are called Facilitators. For a couple, after being invited to participate and having the program explained to them, the first step is to take on-line the Customized Version of PREPARE-ENRICH in order to provide a self-report description of their relationship. As well as providing important demographic and background information for a couple, 22 areas are assessed and individual and couple responses in these areas are summarised in reports made available to the Facilitator: A. Significant Issues for Couples (10 scales): * Communication * Conflict Resolution * Partner Style & Habits * Financial Management * Leisure Activities * Affection & Sexuality * Family and Friends * Idealistic Distortion * Relationship Roles * Spiritual Beliefs B. Relationship Dynamics (4 scales): * Assertiveness * Self Confidence * Avoidance * Partner Dominance C. Couple and Family Map (4 scales): * Closeness and Flexibility of Family-of-Origin * Closeness and Flexibility of Couple Relationship/Marriage D. Personality (4 scales) * Social * Change * Organized * Pleasing * Emotionally Steady Couples also answer questions about STRESS and, depending on their circumstances answer questions about cultural/ethnic issues, interfaith/interchurch issues, parenting issues, cohabitation issues, forgiveness issues, commitment issues and issues arising from a previous marriage. The next step is for the couple to return for a number of feedback sessions (as determined by them and the Facilitator). This process is aided by reports provided on-line to the Facilitator. Couples also receive a Couple's Workbook that contains over 20 exercises designed to help a couple to respond to the feedback dialogue being encouraged by the Facilitator. There are six core couple exercises to complement the larger feedback process: 1. Sharing and Growth areas 2. Creating a Wish List using Assertiveness and Active Listening 3. Ten Steps for Resolving Conflict 4. Couple and Family Map - Mapping the Relationship 5. Personal Stress profile - Identifying the most critical issues 6. Personality Exercise |
| The program has these goals: 1. To explore Relationship Strengths and Growth Areas 2. To learn Assertiveness and Active Listening Skills 3. To learn how to resolve conflict 4. To help the couple discuss their Family-of-Origin 5. To help the couple cope better with stressors 6. To focus on personal, couple and family goals |
| 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. |