Understanding the Prepare/Enrich Assessment: A Comprehensive Tool for Relationship Building

The Prepare/Enrich Assessment is a widely respected relationship evaluation tool designed to help couples strengthen their bond. Created in 1980 by Dr. David Olson, it has evolved to become one of the most comprehensive and customizable tools for couples, with over 4 million users worldwide. It is particularly useful for premarital counseling, marital enrichment, and even therapy for struggling relationships.

What Is the Prepare/Enrich Assessment?

Prepare/Enrich is not just a single questionnaire; it's a personalized and scientifically-backed tool that adapts to a couple's specific situation. Whether a couple is dating, engaged, married, or considering separation, the assessment provides tailored feedback based on their relationship dynamics.

The key areas it covers include:

• Communication Patterns: It assesses how well partners talk and listen to each other.
• Conflict Resolution: It identifies how couples handle disagreements, both in productive and potentially harmful ways.
• Financial Management: Money is often a source of tension in relationships, so Prepare/Enrich helps couples address their financial habits.
• Family and Friends: The tool explores how external relationships affect the couple.
• Personality Compatibility: It includes personality assessments to reveal how each partner’s temperament affects their relationship.

The results are compiled into a detailed report, which a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator interprets to help couples understand their strengths and areas for growth.

Who Can Use the Prepare/Enrich Assessment?

The beauty of this assessment is its versatility. It's used by:

• Premarital Couples: To prepare them for life together by addressing key topics like expectations, values, and potential conflicts.
• Married Couples: As a way to enrich and enhance the relationship, addressing changes in dynamics over time.
• Struggling Couples: As a therapeutic tool to identify underlying issues and guide meaningful conversations for healing.
• Faith-Based Organizations: Many churches and faith-based groups use Prepare/Enrich as part of their premarital counseling services.

The Benefits of Prepare/Enrich

1. Customization: The assessment is adaptable, meaning it personalizes the questions and report based on factors like age, relationship status, and whether the couple has children. This ensures relevance and accuracy.

2. Research-Based: The tool has been extensively researched and developed, ensuring that the feedback is grounded in solid psychological principles.

3. Comprehensive View of the Relationship: By addressing critical areas of a relationship—like emotional closeness, intimacy, and spiritual beliefs—it provides a holistic overview that can help couples grow together.

4. Goal-Oriented: After taking the assessment, couples can work through exercises recommended by their facilitator. These exercises are based on the specific challenges and strengths highlighted in the assessment.

How Does It Work?

Couples typically begin the process by connecting with a certified facilitator, such as a counselor, therapist, or clergy member, who administers the assessment. After completing the online questionnaire, the facilitator receives a detailed report that outlines areas of strength and growth. Couples then go through sessions with the facilitator to work on key relationship aspects and develop healthier patterns of interaction.

Becoming a Certified Facilitator

If you’re a counselor, pastor, or professional in the field of relationship counseling, becoming a Prepare/Enrich facilitator could be a valuable addition to your practice. Facilitators go through a training process (often available online) and learn how to interpret the results and guide couples toward stronger, healthier relationships. Regular webinars offer further insights into the tool and sometimes provide exclusive discounts for the training process​. The Onassis Krown founder, Lateef Warnick, is a Certified Life Coach, Marriage Counselor and a Certified Prepare/Enrich Assessment Facilitator.

Why Should Couples Take the Assessment?

Prepare/Enrich offers a structured, research-backed framework for couples to evaluate their relationship and make informed decisions about how to move forward. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have been together for years, the assessment provides a clear path to understanding each other better and navigating future challenges.

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In conclusion, the Prepare/Enrich Assessment stands out as an invaluable resource for couples at every stage of their relationship. Whether you’re seeking to strengthen your bond, prepare for marriage, or repair a struggling partnership, this tool offers the guidance and clarity needed to create a more fulfilling and resilient relationship.