Featured Updates
Family Institute Lecture Series
Last updated on February 4, 2010- Morning Lecture: "Spiritual Disciplines and Mental Health"
- Luncheon: "Ethical Guidelines for Spiritually Oriented Therapy"
More information coming soon. Continuing Education credits will be available for Social Workers.
Secrets for Successful Marriage
Last updated on July 6, 2009This Marriage Preparation Workshop, Secrets for Successful Marriage, is taught by experienced marriage professionals and is for couples who want to grow their relationship in preparation for marriage. It teaches couples healthy relationship skills that will benefit them throughout their lives together. Because it is skill based, Secrets for Successful Marriage is a valuable addition to traditional pastoral or professional premarital counseling. In addition, couples take the FOCCUS inventory, a questionnaire designed to help them identify relationship strengths and potential areas of growth. The workshop instructor interprets the results of the inventory in a group setting. Individualized follow up is available for an additional cost.
For more information and to register, click here.
Keys for Couples
Last updated on February 4, 2010
In February, 2000, the task force asked Judge William Kelly, 62B Kentwood District Court, to pilot a mandatory premarital class for six consecutive months. At the end of the 6 months, the class was re-evaluated and a decision was made to continue it for another 6 months. As of September 2006, nearly 1000 couples have taken the "Keys for Couples" four hour workshop. This workshop teaches couples important skills for building a successful marriage:
u relationship expectations
u family of origin
u communication
u conflict resolution
u managing money
u friendship & intimacy
u commitment
Of the individuals who have attended Keys for Couples, 78% stated that they feel better prepared to enter into a healthy, marital relationship, and 94% said they would recommend this class to a friend.
Click here to see the dates this class is offered during 2010.
The Third Option
Last updated on March 19, 2008The Third Option is an on-going group program to build better marriages. It is designed for all married couples and can be used both as marriage enrichment or crisis intervention. For hurting couples, who see only two options (painful endurance or divorce) the third option means reconciliation. For ordinary couples, the program teaches them the skills they need to have happier, healthier marriages. For more information, click here.
Read the article from the Grand Rapids Press about The Third Option here.