Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program for Couples

Using PREP with Couples for Healthy Marriages

In our changing world, the definition of marriage is not as clear-cut as it used to be. But, what is clear is how difficult it is for couples to remain happily married. PREP® (Preventative Relationship Enhancement Program) believes that passion, love, and marriage can last a lifetime. Presumably, this is a common belief since people are still eagerly reciting those familiar wedding vows, “For as Long as I shall Live”, and Till Death Do Us Part”. Why then do couples lose the love and passion seem unable to regain the joy they once found in each other?

PREP believes that many marriages fail because the couple lacks the tools necessary to deal with important issues that come with any close relationship. While the dynamics of a successful marriage are complex and changing, PREP educates couples to focus on factors they can control, and gives couples the tools to safely and effectively manage life’s surprises. PREP couples are given the tools necessary to recognize danger signs, communicate safely and effectively, protect fun, friendship, sexuality and sensuality as well as harness the power of commitment.

We know that not all marriages should be saved. We know that PREP will not be able to save some marriages. But if you are looking for a Marriage Enhancement/Divorce Prevention program that teaches techniques that have demonstrated their effectiveness through years of research to increase marital satisfaction, that has been thoroughly studied and tested more than any other in the world, then PREP is the program for you.

PREP is a comprehensive education program focused on divorce prevention and marriage enhancement. This program includes a curriculum structured around skill- and principle-building, which is designed to help couples work through relationship difficulties and build stronger bonds with one another. There are two versions of the PREP curriculum, a secular and a Christian version. The curricula consist of twelve hours of mini-lectures and discussions on topics related to marriage enhancement such as:

  • Communication
  • Conflict management
  • Forgiveness
  • Expectations

Evaluations of PREP have shown that, in the long run, couples who have gone through the PREP curriculum report improvements in their marriage quality, as well as reduced divorce rates within the first three to five years after marriage. Furthermore, compared with couples who did not go through the program, PREP couples reported greater marriage satisfaction, a greater ability to communicate more effectively with one another, and fewer conflicts.

Creating a Better Reality: The PREP® Approach:

PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) is one of the most comprehensive and well respected divorce-prevention/marriage strengthening programs in the world. PREP is a research-based, skills building curriculum designed to help partners say what they need to say, get to the heart of problems, avoid standoffs and connect with each other instead of pushing each other away. PREP emphasizes strategies under two crucial frameworks: strategies geared toward lowering risk factors and strategies for raising protective factors to help marriages succeed. This powerful approach is designed for premarital or marital couples, whether distressed or non-distressed.

PREP is not therapy. It is education. It is coaching very much like learning to play tennis or golf. There are many ways couples can learn PREP's un-common sense approach. Couples can learn on their own using various PREP materials including video tapes, audio tapes, and best-selling books. Couples can also attend public workshops ranging from Weekend Workshops, to six weekly sessions two hours in length, to One-Day workshops taught by independent PREP Instructors. Couples may also be coached in the PREP approach by a private counselor, clergy member or lay leader.

PREP's Research Background: PREP is the very definition of a sophisticated research-based program. The strategies of PREP are not only based on empirical research, PREP has been empirically tested to see if it actually works.

Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program for Couples is one of many Healing Techniques that can be used in Family Counseling and general Counseling.