Our Models of Marriage Preparation

FOCCUS, a pre-Marriage Inventory

What is FOCCUS?

FOCCUS stands for Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study. It is a research-based pre-marriage questionnaire designed to provide you and your partner with a personalised picture of your relationship.

The picture that emerges will have been shaped by your own experiences and responses to such issues as family life, how you communicate, how you settle differences, and so on. There are no right or wrong answers, rather it is a tool to help you identify, discuss and work through any sticky issues with your partner before you settle down together.

How can it help us?

FOCCUS will highlight:

what works well in your relationship
what challenges do you face in your relationship
which areas are likely to need discussion now

What happens at a FOCCUS session?

The FOCCUS programme takes at least two sessions. In the first, we ask you to complete a questionnaire. From this emerges a picture of your relationship, covering a range of issues such as your style of communication, your attitude to commitment and how you deal with conflict.

In subsequent sessions you'll get the chance to discuss the profile generated by your answers with your partner and the trained facilitator.

Where do the sessions take place?

FOCCUS sessions take place at your local Marriage Care centre. Please call 0800 389 3801 or use our postcode checker to find your nearest centre.

FOCCUS sessions are normally scheduled to suit you.

How much does it cost?

We do not charge a fixed fee for this service, but we do invite you to make a contribution towards our costs so that we can continue to run our services. No-one is turned away because of an inability to pay. Your local centre will give you further information.

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