What happens on a marriage ‘couple to couple’ coaching session ?
Our sessions are customised to suit every unique marriage. We seek to develop a warm supportive relationship where we facilitate conversations between a couple. The purpose is to encourage, grow intimacy and connection. As practicing Christians, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we guide those conversations in a Christ centred direction.
We aim to bring tools, tips and hope to every marriage and empower all couples to aspire to enjoy a mutually supportive, respectful, loving and sustainable relationship.
Although we have a flexible approach to what we cover on each session, this is set within a framework of 4 basic phases.
These are:- Discovery, Assessment, Journey, and Resolution.
Discovery Phase
During the discovery phase, we hope to find out what makes you tick as a couple. This will involve finding out what you want to get out of the coaching, both individually and as a couple. It also helps us all determine whether we are a good fit for supporting you. As we enter into this sacred space of sharing a part of your journey, we are very keen to add value to your relationship as well as helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Our style is to nurture and respect with sensitivity. We never look to judge the quality of the marriage or relational capability but try and find out what you believe and think about each other, your faith, and how you connect with others. Some of this discovery starts with a discovery call or in-person conversation but often continues after the sessions have started.
Assessment Phase
This may involve qualitative questionnaires or inventories that are often filled out as individuals. These are completed outside of the session times at your own pace, but may need to be completed before your first or next coaching session. The research-based questionnaires help us very quickly identify a relational profile and points of interest for discussion. Often the process of filling out these questionnaires causes couples to reflect more deeply about their needs or points of pain that they would like to discuss. Almost all the couples we have worked with have found the process revealing and rewarding.
The Journey Phase
The larger part of the coaching process is spent in this phase with us - the coaches. We endeavour to add as much value into these sessions as possible but realise that each couple will progress at their own pace and may desire to address specific aspects, of their relationship, that come to the fore as we journey with them. To some extent we are able to adapt our coaching time dynamically and react to life’s rich weave as we go. We do, however, try to drive toward the bigger picture and keep the coaching on track to achieve the goals that the couple set from the start.
The Resolution Phase
During this phase, we look to consolidate the progress the couple feel they have made and evaluate whether more time is needed. Where necessary, we help the couple set new goals and build a plan to protect what they have gained so that they can confidently grow towards a positive future.