Couples spend a lot of time preparing for their marriage ceremony and joyous celebration and often miss the opportunity to prepare themselves for the issues of life together as a family unit. This weekend will give couples who are moving into a committed relationship an occasion to increase their awareness and knowledge of important issues and to develop the interpersonal skills needed to strengthen their marriage relationship.

During our time together we will use the Prepare/Enrich Inventory to help couples to be more aware of their strengths and potential growth areas. Issues will be presented to stimulate couple discussions that are vital to their relationship. Some of the areas that will be addressed will include communication skills, conflict resolution skills, financial skills, and skills for developing intimacy. Couples will spend some time together with the whole group, but a majority of the exercises and discussions will be the two individuals in each couple.

This event will be facilitated by Cathy Wille and Amy Bertschausen, members of the professional staff at the Samaritan Counseling Center in Appleton.