The PREPARE/ENRICH Group Program lends itself well to a retreat format as it allows for a combination of teaching, small groups, and break-out time for couples. The Group Program outlines ten sessions but you may use only the sessions that work for the time you have or items that have been raised by the group. The first session is written as an introductory session and the last as a wrap-up. All other sessions need not be delivered in consecutive order.

It’s important to resist the urge to bring up past experiences that have already been resolved and reopen them for discussion. Acknowledge the current disagreement and work through the conflict by actively listening to your partner. Respect your partner, remember you are on the same team, and know it’s okay to take a time out if you need to. While embracing the conflict and dealing with it can be uncomfortable, it can ultimately bring you closer as a couple.

Ordinary, mundane and fleeting moments of humour and playfulness that couples experience in their everyday lives together may have a great impact upon the health of their relationship. Such moments may provide a foundation for handling more significant events such as handling conflict.

Reminder:
A "Facilitator Feedback Guide" which outlines 8 feedback sessions is available when you log in under "Standard Feedback Materials". This guide provides an example of how to organise feedback sessions with your couple, by listing topic areas as well as corresponding Workbook and Homework pages.