Prepare/Enrich Assessment | A Guide on What to Expect

If you’ve heard about the Prepare/Enrich assessment and are curious about what it involves, you’re in the right place. Let’s take a deeper look and provide an in-depth understanding of what to expect during the Prepare/Enrich assessment, how it works, and why it’s an invaluable tool for couples looking to strengthen their relationship. Whether you’re preparing for marriage or seeking to enhance an existing partnership, understanding the assessment process can help you make an informed decision.

The Purpose of the Prepare/Enrich Assessment

The Prepare/Enrich assessment is not just another relationship quiz. It’s a comprehensive tool rooted in decades of research, designed to help couples identify their strengths and growth areas. By taking this assessment, you and your partner can gain a deeper understanding of your relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and areas that may need attention.

It’s particularly useful for:

• Premarital Counseling - Laying a strong foundation before marriage.
• Marriage Enrichment - Enhancing an already healthy relationship.
• Relationship Tune-Ups - Addressing specific challenges and improving connection.

The Process of the Prepare/Enrich Assessment

Understanding what to expect during the Prepare/Enrich assessment can help you and your partner feel more prepared and at ease. This section will walk you through each step of the process, from the initial consultation to the development of a personalized relationship plan. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of how the assessment works and how it can benefit your relationship.

Step 1: Initial Consultation with a Facilitator

It starts with an initial meeting with a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator. This could be a therapist, counselor, or clergy member who is trained in using the assessment. During this consultation, you’ll discuss your relationship goals and what you hope to achieve through the assessment.

Purpose - To set the stage for the assessment and ensure it aligns with your relationship goals.

What to Expect - A casual conversation where you and your partner share your thoughts and concerns.

Step 2: Taking the Assessment

After the initial consultation, both you and your partner will complete the Prepare/Enrich assessment individually. The assessment typically takes 30-45 minutes and is done online. It covers a broad range of topics that are crucial to relationship health.

Key Areas Covered:

Communication Styles - Understand how you express yourselves and how effectively you listen to each other.

Conflict Resolution - Learn about your natural tendencies in conflict situations and how to improve your approach.

Financial Management - Discover how your financial habits align and where they might clash.

Sexual Intimacy - Explore your expectations and satisfaction levels regarding intimacy.

Role Expectations - Identify your roles within the relationship and how well they complement each other.

Spiritual Beliefs - Consider how your beliefs impact your relationship.

Family Background - Examine how your family dynamics influence your current relationship.

Step 3: Review and Feedback Session

Once you’ve completed the assessment, your facilitator will receive a detailed report that outlines your relationship’s strengths and areas for growth. This is where the magic happens. During the feedback session, you’ll sit down with your facilitator to go over the results.

Personalized Insights - The facilitator will help you interpret the results, offering personalized insights based on your unique relationship dynamics.

Strengths and Growth Areas - You’ll discuss your relationship’s strengths—those areas where you naturally excel—and identify potential growth areas that may need more attention.

Constructive Feedback - The session is designed to be constructive, focusing on how you can leverage your strengths to address any challenges.

Step 4: Developing a Customized Relationship Plan

Based on the feedback from the assessment, you and your partner, with the help of your facilitator, will create a customized plan to enhance your relationship. This plan might include setting specific goals, attending further counseling sessions, or working on particular skills such as communication or conflict resolution.

Goal Setting - Define clear, actionable goals that you can work on together.

Skill Development - Learn new skills to improve your relationship, whether it's better communication or more effective conflict management.

Follow-Up Sessions - Your facilitator may recommend follow-up sessions to track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Why the Prepare/Enrich Assessment Is Worth It

The Prepare/Enrich assessment is more than just an exercise; it’s an investment in your relationship’s future. This assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of your relationship by thoroughly analyzing all the critical areas that impact long-term success. Through this process, you receive personalized feedback that directly addresses your unique relationship dynamics, ensuring that the advice is relevant and actionable for you and your partner.

With over 4 million couples having taken the assessment, its proven effectiveness is well-established, making it a trusted tool for helping relationships thrive. But the value doesn’t stop at just understanding your relationship; the assessment goes further by helping you develop an actionable plan. This plan is designed to guide you and your partner toward taking specific steps that strengthen your bond, improve communication, and address any challenges you may face.

A Brief Prepare/Enrich Assessment

If you’re curious about how the Prepare/Enrich assessment could benefit your relationship, why not start with a brief 10-question assessment? This mini-assessment will give you a taste of what the full Prepare/Enrich assessment offers and help you identify some initial areas to focus on.

1. How comfortable do you feel expressing your needs and concerns to your partner?

Very comfortable, we openly discuss everything Mostly comfortable, but some topics are difficult Occasionally comfortable, but I often hold back Not comfortable at all, I struggle to communicate my needs

2. When disagreements arise, how do you and your partner typically handle them?

We discuss and resolve them calmly and effectively We try to discuss them, but it sometimes leads to more conflict We avoid discussing disagreements and let them fester We often argue without finding a resolution

3. How aligned are you and your partner when it comes to financial goals, budgeting, and spending habits?

We are fully aligned and regularly discuss our finances We are mostly aligned but have occasional disagreements We have different approaches, leading to frequent conflicts We rarely discuss finances and struggle to manage them together

4. In what ways do you and your partner nurture emotional closeness?

We regularly share our thoughts and feelings We occasionally have deep conversations, but not often We rarely talk about our emotions, but we are physically close We struggle to connect emotionally and feel distant

5. How do your respective families influence your relationship?

Our families are supportive and have a positive influence Our families sometimes cause stress, but we manage it Our families have conflicting expectations that create tension Our families' influence is a major source of conflict

6. How do you and your partner align on long-term life goals?

We have the same goals and are on the same page We have similar goals, but there are some differences We have different goals, leading to occasional disagreements We have very different goals, and it’s a major source of conflict

7. How do your spiritual or religious beliefs influence your relationship?

We share the same beliefs, which strengthen our bond We have different beliefs but respect each other’s views Our differing beliefs cause occasional tension Our beliefs are very different and often lead to conflict

8. What expectations do you each have regarding roles in the relationship?

We agree on our roles and share responsibilities equally We have mostly agreed, but sometimes expectations clash We often disagree on roles, leading to tension We have very different expectations, and it’s a major issue

9. How satisfied are you with the level of sexual intimacy in your relationship?

Very satisfied, it’s a fulfilling part of our relationship Mostly satisfied, but there are occasional concerns Somewhat dissatisfied, we have differing needs Very dissatisfied, it’s a significant issue in our relationship

10. How do you and your partner make important decisions together?

We make decisions together, and both voices are heard We usually make decisions together, but one person tends to lead One of us usually makes decisions, causing occasional frustration We struggle to make decisions together, leading to frequent conflicts

Submit

Your Results

To Summarize

The Prepare/Enrich assessment offers a unique opportunity to deeply understand and improve your relationship. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, looking to enrich your current relationship, or simply want to ensure you and your partner are on the same page, this assessment provides the insights and tools you need to succeed.

Taking the assessment is a powerful step toward a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationship. If you’re ready to explore what this assessment can do for you, consider scheduling a session with a certified facilitator at SBCS today!

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AUTHOR

MEET THE SBCS TEAM

At Space Between Counseling Services (SBCS), we're a team of diverse therapists passionate about enriching your mental health through insightful articles. Licensed across MD, VA, NM, DE, DC (District of Columbia), and FL, we blend expertise in anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, striving for inclusivity in every piece we write.

Our collective voice aims to guide, educate, and support you through modern life's complexities.