Ever Heard Of The Couple Checkup?

PREPARE/ENRICH was created over 30 years ago and has solidified it’s place as the leading premarital inventory in the United States. Revised and updated five times since 1980, there are now over 85,000 trained facilitators using the program in the U.S.

Approximately 5 years ago, Life Innovations introduced another assessment tool called the Couple Checkup. It is not uncommon for facilitators to be confused by this new inventory, and they are not sure of the differences between the two. As we’ve conducted trainings around the country, I’ve begun to explain the differences between the two by using the analogy of a prescription strength versus an over the counter assessment tool.

PREPARE/ENRICH = Prescription Strength

Just like certain medications, which require a prescription from a doctor, PREPARE/ENRICH can only be accessed through a trained facilitator. Facilitators register couples to take their inventory, and facilitators receive all of the assessment results in their online account. Couples must meet with their facilitator to get feedback and go through several couple exercises designed to teach proven relationship skills. PREPARE/ENRICH is more in-depth and does not shy away from difficult topics such as abuse, substance abuse, and pornography. Click here for a brief video overview (3 minutes) of the Customized Version of PREPARE/ENRICH.

Couple Checkup = Over the Counter

The Couple Checkup, however, can be accessed directly by couples. It is found at www.couplecheckup.com and any couple (18 or older) can create their own account, complete the assessment, and gain immediate access to their results and a Discussion Guide. The Couple Checkup report is designed to be comprehensive, but understandable and user-friendly for someone who’s not been trained to use an inventory. The assessment is about 30% shorter than PREPARE/ENRICH and does not delve into issues which might overwhelm or confuse couples. Still, the core content is taken from the research-based PREPARE/ENRICH inventory and studies have already demonstrated significant improvements for couples who take the Checkup on their own, or as part of a group program.

Because it requires less administrative oversight, facilitators gravitate towards the Couple Checkup when leading a group or conducting an enrichment campaign for married couples. Click here to see how easy it is for couples to set up their own Checkup account.

What is the Couple Checkup?   

The Couple Checkup is designed to help you and your partner build a more satisfying and intimate relationship. Just answering the questions will stimulate thoughts and attitudes about your relationship. It is designed to activate dialogue, discovery, and increase the overall quality of your relationship.

Why take the Couple Checkup?   

The Couple Checkup will help you discover your strengths as a couple. Strengths are what enable you to enjoy, and to continue developing a healthy relationship. It will also help you identify issues that are threatening the vitality of your relationship and may need to be addressed.

Who can take the Couple Checkup?   

Whether you are dating, engaged or married, the Couple Checkup is valuable and relevant. After indicating the stage of your relationship, the Couple Checkup will automatically select applicable questions for you and your partner. It is designed for any couple desiring to enrich their relationship.

Will the Checkup be relevant for us as a couple?   

A powerful and unique aspect of the Checkup is that the questions are tailored to you as couple. Based on background questions you answer, your Checkup will be customized to include questions specific to your couple type.

How long does it take to receive our Checkup Report?   

Within 30 seconds after you have both completed the Checkup online, you may view and print your Checkup Report.

What feedback do we receive?   

You will receive a 15-20 page Computer Report, with your results broken down into relational categories. A Discussion Guide is also available to help you interpret the results.

What topics are covered in the Checkup?   

Twenty important relationship areas are explored. There are also questions about your personality and family-of-origin.

How much does the Couple Checkup cost?   

Unless you have a prepaid voucher, the Checkup costs $29.95 (USD). Couples consider it an economical and worthwhile investment in their current and future relationship.

Who developed the Couple Checkup?   

The Couple Checkup was developed by Dr. David Olson and Dr. Peter Larson at Life Innovations in Minnesota. 

Dr. David Olson is nationally and internationally known expert in marriage and the family. He is a licensed psychologist and marital and family therapist, as well as Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He developed the well-known couple assessment called PREPARE/ENRICH and he has over 30 years of experience in the field of marriage and the family.   

Dr. Peter Larson, President of Life Innovations, is a licensed psychologist and co-author of PREPARE/ENRICH. He has extensive experience using PREPARE/ENRICH with couples and with training others in this program.   

Is the Couple Checkup scientifically accurate?   

The Couple Checkup is very accurate and is based on the highly respected PREPARE/ENRICH couple questionnaire. The Checkup has high levels of scientific rigor, which means the scores are reliable and accurate.

What if we have relationship problems?   

If you have issues that you are not able to resolve, it is important for you and your partner to get professional help before the problems escalate or cause resentment which will destroy the intimacy of your partnership.

Persons trained in the PREPARE/ENRICH Program have been

trained to give you feedback and help you resolve issues in your

relationship For more information, visit

www.couplecheckupblog.com