In marriage, we often carry expectations—often unspoken—and assume our partner shares them. Sometimes, they don’t. Taking time early on to name those expectations and understand each other more clearly is invaluable. Through the PREPARE/ENRICH process, we use a structured assessment to explore your relationship, highlight strengths, and build the skills needed to navigate differences well. Here’s how the process unfolds…
Introduction to PREPARE/ENRICH:
We begin with the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment, a research-based tool developed to help couples explore key areas of their relationship. It looks at communication, conflict resolution, personality differences, finances, intimacy, and shared values. It offers a broad, practical picture of your partnership.
Administering the Assessment:
Each of you completes the assessment individually online. You’ll respond to questions about your relationship dynamics, habits, and perspectives, allowing for an honest, side-by-side view of how each of you experiences the relationship.
Interpreting the Results:
Once complete, we review your results together. You’ll see areas of strength, as well as growth areas, organized in a clear and approachable way. We’ll look for patterns. Where you align, where you differ, and what those differences might mean in day-to-day life.
Facilitating Discussion:
The assessment becomes a guide for intentional conversation. We’ll slow things down and create space to talk through communication styles, conflict patterns, expectations, and values, helping you hear each other more fully.
Developing Relationship Skills:
Using PREPARE/ENRICH exercises, we’ll focus on practical skill-building. This includes communication techniques, conflict management, stress reduction, and ways to strengthen emotional and physical connection. The work is structured, but flexible, and grounded in your specific relationship.
Addressing Concerns and Challenges:
If certain areas need attention, we’ll approach them directly but constructively. The goal is not to fix everything at once, but to understand what’s underneath and begin making steady, workable shifts.
Follow-Up and Support:
As you move through the process, you'll receive steady guidance and support. We’ll revisit themes, track progress, and adjust as needed, keeping the work grounded and relevant.
Pre-marital counseling helps you do more of what’s already working, while addressing potential issues before they harden into patterns. It’s a chance to be intentional at the beginning. If that feels worthwhile, you can take the first step now.