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Discussion Post (Option 1): Comparing Solution-Oriented, Family Systems, and PREPARE/ENRICH Approaches
When I think about premarital work, I picture couples arriving with two things at once: hope for the future and "invisible baggage" from the past. That's why I appreciate approaches that are practical, strengths-based, and also honest about the deeper relational patterns that shape intimacy, conflict, and commitment. A solution-oriented approach, a family systems approach, and PREPARE/ENRICH overlap in meaningful ways, but they also differ in their primary focus, depth, and method of change. Need Assignment Help?
How They Are Similar
All three approaches share several core values:
1. They are collaborative rather than counselor driven. Each one assumes couples can grow when guided with structure and support. Solution-oriented counseling and PREPARE/ENRICH both lean heavily into identifying strengths and building forward momentum, rather than spending excessive time on pathology (Olson, n.d.; Wright, 1992).
2. They are prevention friendly. These approaches fit premarital settings because they emphasize early skill development and intentional planning, before a couple's negative patterns become entrenched (Wright, 1992).
3. They can integrate faith and values. Family systems, solution-oriented work, and PREPARE/ENRICH can all incorporate a biblical worldview by asking couples to align their "relationship culture" with covenant love, honesty, boundaries, and mutual responsibility.
How They Are Different
1) Solution-Oriented Approach (e.g., Solution-Focused Brief Therapy principles)
A solution-oriented approach emphasizes what works, where the couple wants to go, and the smallest realistic steps they can take right now. It often uses goal language ("What will be different?"), exceptions ("When is this problem less intense?"), scaling questions, and strengths ("What are you already doing well?"). This is especially helpful in premarital work because couples are motivated and often benefit from quick wins that build confidence.
Limits: It can sometimes move too quickly past deeper attachment injuries or legacy patterns if the couple has major trauma, infidelity history, or entrenched family-of-origin dynamics.
Effectiveness research: Recent research syntheses support SFBT as beneficial across a variety of populations and outcomes, though results can vary by setting and study quality. Umbrella review mapping evidence across systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggests SFBT shows generally positive effects but also notes that evidence strength differs depending on the problem area and population.
2) Family Systems Approach
A family systems approach focuses on the idea that problems don't live inside one person; they live inside interaction patterns and relational "systems." This lens is extremely helpful when couples are repeating cycles (pursuer-withdrawer patterns, triangulation with family, loyalty conflicts, stepfamily stressors, etc.). It's also the approach that most naturally highlights family-of-origin influence, which Wright (1992) repeatedly emphasizes as critical in premarital work. Deal's work also fits comfortably here, especially around boundaries, family stress, and stepfamily dynamics that can intensify conflict if not handled intentionally (Deal, 2012).
Limits: Systems work can be broader and more complex; in short premarital formats, you have to be disciplined about keeping it practical and not overly exploratory.
Effectiveness research: Systemic couple and family interventions have a strong evidence base across multiple presenting problems. A major review in Journal of Family Therapy summarizes meta-analytic and controlled-trial evidence supporting the effectiveness of couple therapy/family therapy/systemic interventions for relationship distress and other adult concerns.
3) PREPARE/ENRICH Approach
PREPARE/ENRICH is assessment-guided relationship education. Its main strength is that it provides a structured roadmap: it identifies risk areas (communication, conflict resolution, expectations, finances, sexuality, family dynamics) and then supports counselor-led feedback sessions and skill-building.
What makes it unique: It's not just a theory; it's an organized intervention process driven by data and practical exercises. Wright (1992) emphasizes the importance of structured premarital content and PREPARE/ENRICH provides that structure while keeping the counseling targeted (Olson, n.d.).
Effectiveness research: There are published studies supporting PREPARE as an effective premarital tool, including evaluations of the PREPARE program used in community settings. Broader premarital education meta-analyses also frequently report positive effects, though findings vary by inclusion criteria and study type. For example, a meta-analysis by Carroll and Doherty (2003) found generally strong positive effects across premarital programs (often cited in relationship education literature). At the same time, other meta-analytic work has cautioned that when unpublished studies are included, effects on relationship satisfaction may appear smaller, and long-term prevention effects can be harder to detect.
Which Approach I Prefer (and Why)
If I had to choose one approach for premarital counseling, I would choose a combination:
- PREPARE/ENRICH as the backbone (assessment + structured feedback + targeted skill building)
- Family systems as the lens (so we don't ignore family-of-origin and repeating cycles)
- Solution-oriented tools as the engine (so couples leave each session with hope, clarity, and doable next steps)
This combination gives me the best of all three worlds: structure, depth, and momentum. It also fits a reality Wright (1992) highlights: premarital counseling must be practical enough to prevent future breakdown but deep enough to address patterns that would sabotage intimacy, communication, and trust. Rosenau (2005) adds that emotional and sexual intimacy require safety and clarity-two outcomes this combined approach supports well when couples have the language, tools, and shared plan to protect their covenant.
References (APA 7):
Carroll, J. S., & Doherty, W. J. (2003). Evaluating the effectiveness of premarital prevention programs: A meta-analytic review. Family Relations, 52(2), 105-118
Deal, R. L. (2012). Dating and the single parent. Baker Publishing Group.
Olson, D. (n.d.). PREPARE/ENRICH certification training. Prepare/Enrich.
Rosenau, D. (2005). A celebration of sex for newlyweds. Thomas Nelson.
Sundet, R., Kim, J. S., & colleagues. (2024). Effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: An umbrella review. Psychotherapy Research.
Wright, N. H. (1992). The premarital counseling handbook. Moody Publishers.