[Coaching]   [Request a Coach]   [Become a Coach]   [Coach Training]   [Seminars & Retreats]   [Start a Coaching Program] Coaching Situations Coaching can be effectively used for pre-marital couples, couples desiring to improve their marriage and those couples who are experiencing significant difficulties or are even in the midst of a divorce. Given the number of divorced people who remarry, coaching is even appropriate for second or third marriages.

Couples who are seriously dating or engaged Research shows that "a couple who spends at least 12 hours in a premarital-education program decreases their chance of divorce five years out by 50 percent." And, "the best marriage-education programs focus on essential marriage skills, like communication and conflict resolution" (Diane Sollee, Director of the Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education). In our experience, effective coaching for pre-marital couples uses a pre-marital inventory such as PREPARE or FOCCUS. Both programs involve 6 sessions with a coach couple as a supplement to whatever counseling the pastor performs. The sessions involve a review of the inventory and a guided discussion using a workbook for each participant. Exercises concentrate on communications and other basic skills such as problem solving and budgeting Couples complete the inventory and review the results with the coach couple. There is a nominal cost for the inventory and the associated reading materials. It is desirable to begin the coaching 6-12 months prior to the wedding, but it can be done closer to the wedding date.  Topics addressed include: Expectations Friends and Interests Personality Match Communication Problem Solving Spirituality Extended Family Issues Sexuality Financial Issues Readiness for Marriage

Couples looking for enrichment Has the honeymoon faded into a distant memory? Do you ever wonder if the rest of your married life is going to be humdrum as it is now? Marriages are similar in many regards to other institutions and they have their ups and downs. Regardless of where your marriage is now, it can be better. The coaching program can be viewed as a guided discovery to an improved marriage relationship.  Interested couples complete an inventory such as ENRICH or REFOCCUS, which is used to facilitate the subsequent guided discussions. Discussions are combined with a series of exercises to promote improved communications and problem solving. Topics addressed include: Assertiveness Listening skills Anger Forgiveness Intimacy Commitment and growth Enrichment coaching is for those couples with relatively healthy marriages, who are willing to make a limited time commitment to a coaching relationship. The ENRICH or REFOCCUS inventory with a coach couple provides a structured approach for them to be more deliberate in their attempts to improve their communication and marriage. The combined effect of coaching and the inventory has a more positive impact than either approach individually.

Couples experiencing serious challenges Challenged coaching is for those couples where at least one person wants to work on their marriage. The couples may be separated, contemplating divorce, or in frequent conflict that includes yelling, name calling, threatening, and a generally hostile living environment. All are potential candidates for coaching. These couples tend to have conflict over recurring issues that they are unable to solve in a mutually satisfying manner. Challenged coaching is not meant for couples who have occasional strong disagreements but are generally happy in the marriage. For them, enrichment coaching can be very beneficial. Coaches guide couples through prepared materials that have been specifically designed for couples experiencing significant issues. Coaching has brought couples back from the brink of divorce with new hope and renewed commitments. Issues are addressed in a confidential, non-judgmental manner that focuses on resolving difficulties through improved understanding and mutual problem solving. Participation is entirely voluntary and a couple can decide to leave at any time. The coaching is supplemented with applied exercises in effective assertiveness, listening, causes of marriage problems, problem solving, understanding anger, bitterness, forgiveness, initimacy, and growth. This program takes 2-3 months to complete. Coaching is not recommended for couples who have drug or alcohol problems or on-going affairs.

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