I. Title: Fighting for Your Marriage: The PREP Approach

2. Description of session:
 

a). Descriptive paragraph for CEU application:
The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)
is a research-based approach to teaching couples (premarital or marital)
how to communicate effectively, work as a team to solve problems,
manage conflict without damaging closeness, and preserve and enhance
commitment and friendship. The PREP approach is based on 25 plus years
of research in the filed of marital health and success, with much of the specific
research conducted at the University of Denver over the past 15 years.
Videos, role play, and research shed light on marital failure and success.

b). 40 word or less - brief description for conference brochure:
PREP, based on over 25 years of research, teaches strategies to both
lower risk factors and to raise protective factors - each crucial to helping
marriages succeed.

4. Agenda: include 0 to 90 minute timeline, and if more than one presenter, who presents each part.

1. Presentation of theory and research.                                                                 0 - 10        Susan Blumberg
2. Curriculum review including overview of the manuals, workbooks,              10-25        Bill Coffin
overheads and videos used in  the course.
3. Demonstration of the skill-building exercises for use with couples and          25-70        Bill Coffin
families.
4. Discussion of how to adapt the psychoeducational programs to a                  70 - 80      Susan Blumberg & Bill Coffin
variety of settings.
5. Questions and answers and feedback.                                                            80 - 90      Susan Blumberg & Bill Coffin

5. Learning Objectives: the participant will be able to:

(Begin each objective with an observable, measurable action term like:  choose,  propose, demonstrate,
analyze, classify, compare, conduct,  appraise, construct, contrast, create, critique, define,
describe, design, differentiate, distinguish, detect, estimate, evaluate, explain, identify, indicate,
interpret, locate, measure, name, organize, plan, practice, predict, prepare, prescribe, propose,
rank, rate, recommend, record, report, revise, select, solve, specify, summarize, trace, etc.)

Do not use words that describe something that is happening in the head where others can't see it.
There is no way to measure achievement of objectives when these broad, vague, ambiguous
words are used. Do NOT use words such as:
understand, comprehend, recognize, realize, learn, know or gain a working knowledge of,
acquire, appreciate or develop an appreciation of, be acquainted with,
be aware of, be familiar with, believe, reflect, sympathize with, etc.

Learning Objectives: participants will be able to:
1. List factors shown to predict marital quality, distress, and divorce.
2. Apply communication skills that help couples handle conflict constructively.
3. Utilize a cognitive framework for helping couples understand how beliefs and
     expectations affect relationships.
4. Cite approaches for helping couples maintain friendship and fun.
5. Integrate strategies for exploring four key spiritual values: honor, respect, intimacy,
     and forgiveness.
6. Discuss ideas for implementing PREP in your setting with individual couples or groups.

Back to application.