Relational Wellness is an exciting program being introduced by the Wichita Catholic Charities Marriage for Keeps project. All faiths are welcome as couples are provided with an opportunity to:
- Spend quality time together
- Learn great ways to strengthen their marriage and have fun
- Meet other couples in a confidential and safe environment for discussion
- Gain tools to improve communication and strengthen their family
This program is not:
- Marriage counseling or therapy
- Divorce intervention
- A place to complain about your spouse
Why Relational Wellness?
Research has proven over and over again that there are several benefits to a healthy marriage:
- Married people are happier than single, widowed, or cohabiting people. About 40% of married people report being very happy with their lives, whereas only 18% of divorced people, 15% of separated people, and only 22% of widowed and 22% of cohabiting people report being very happy (Waite & Gallagher, 2000).
- Married people are more successful in their careers, earn more, and have more wealth than single, divorced or cohabiting individuals (Waite & Gallagher, 2000; Antonovics & Town, 2004).
- A large national sample (n=21,501) of married couples who completed a couple inventory (ENRICH) found that the top five categories most predictive of marital happiness were: Communication, Flexibility, Couple Closeness, Personality Compatibility and Conflict Skills (Olson & Olson, 2000).
- Researchers have identified the key characteristics of healthy families that are usually missing from problem families. They include: connectedness, flexibility, social and economic resources, clarity, open emotional expression, positive outlook and spirituality (Walsh, 1998).
The previous information was provided by the Marriage CoMission website (http://www.marriagecomission.com/go/justthefacts).
Who We Are
Relational Wellness is initially being offered to married employees of a few selected organizations in the Wichita community.* Organizations were recruited and selected to participate based on their company’s history of commitment and dedication to the well-being of their employees. The pilot program of the six-week Relational Wellness workshop will begin May 18, 2010 and continue on Tuesday evenings through June 22, 2010.
The program is based on the highly successful “Supporting Healthy Marriage” research project recently conducted in the Wichita area by Marriage for Keeps – a project of Catholic Charities, Inc. The content of the program will focus on techniques that have been shown to dramatically improve couple’s communication and conflict-resolution skills, while strengthening their overall family environment. In addition, the program becomes quality couple time with some participants even referring to it as their “date night.”
*(excluding some research participants of the Marriage for Keeps project)
Relational Wellness includes the following components:
- A six-week workshop
- A couple’s marital assessment including one-on-one feedback from a trained facilitator
Workshop
Relational Wellness is based on the Within Our Reach curriculum, developed by PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program), Inc. This research-based approach teaches couples how to communicate effectively, work as a team to solve problems, manage conflicts without damaging closeness, and preserve and enhance commitment and friendship. PREP is designed to build on the existing strengths of the couple and add critical life and relationships skills that will help participants to create safer, more stable couple relationships and by extension, provide a better environment for their children.
Research shows a number of skills are critical to developing healthy relationships. This workshop assists couples in strengthening those skills. Couples will endeavor to achieve the following goals as part of this process:
- Learn emotional, physical, and commitment safety
- Rediscover how to have fun again
- Appreciate their partner and improve their friendship
- Increase productive communication and reduce conflict
- More fully appreciate how their relationship impacts their children
- Develop effective problem solving skills
- Cope and support one another by developing healthy relaxation and stress management tools
- Develop goals and plans for the future
Marital Assessment
Relational Wellness ENRICH Marital Assessment by Life Innovations, Inc. is a customized assessment completed online to identify strength and growth areas as well as assist in the development of a more balanced relationship. Utilizing the skill building exercises, a certified facilitator will help couples enhance, enrich and strengthen their marriage. Couples will receive one couple feedback session with a certified facilitator in which the facilitator helps the couple discuss and understand their assessment results as they are taught proven relationship skills.
Who Can Participate
A married employee and their spouse that have received information from their employer about the Relational Wellness program may participate.*All faiths are welcome and the number of participants is limited.
*(excluding some research participants of the Marriage for Keeps project)
If you are a couple interested in participating or would like to offer this in your organization please e-mail your name and company name to Bianca Montagnino
