FOCCUS Inventory
Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study. Distributed
by Nick Gulliford in the UK.
PRESENTATION
The facilitator notebook comes as a pack with several inserts, including
two reusable question booklets, manuals, information, etc.
COST
Facilitator notebook £35.00
Additional question books £7
Scoring and report service (per couple) £10
FOCCUS for the future (per pair) £2
Other booklets available by post from Nick Gulliford
CONTENT
The FOCCUS facilitator notebook is based around a series of 156-159 researched
and validated questions, which are presented to the couple preparing for
marriage in the form of an inventory. These questions cover a huge range
of topics, in random order. However, the report returned to the facilitator
arranges the questions under topics such as family of origin, lifestyle
expectations, friends and interests, personality match, personal issues,
religion and values, etc. The front sheet of the report summarises the
percentage of agreement in the form of a bar chart for each topic area. There are
guidelines given for facilitators to help them discuss issues where couples
disagree, including suggested follow-up questions for use during sessions
with the couple.
There are no guidelines given for setting up marriage preparation in
churches. Nick Gulliford said FOCCUS does not require a highly trained
professional to administer it. However, training is available through several
organisations, if required. Mentor couples from the congregation, working
under the supervision of a minister or counsellor, are often the providers
of the service to couples.
APPROACH
FOCCUS is an inventory designed to be completed by a couple preparing
for marriage, and is based on American validated academic research. The
couple read and respond separately to FOCCUS statements on an answer sheet.
Their answers are then sent away for analysis. At a later stage a facilitator
or a couple will work with the couple, looking at patterns in the responses,
discussing issues and assisting them to resolve problems, often with some
exercises. Photocopiable exercises are available in a Mentor's Guide for
FOCCUS and the Workbook for Couples (price £10).
The question booklets are available in different versions: General, Christian
non-denominational, Catholic and Alternate - for those with learning difficulties
or for whom English is not a first language. Additional content is included
for dual career, interfaith, further marriage and cohabiting couples.
FOCCUS reflects the values and ideals of marriage as sacred.
OVERALL VERDICT
This approach is being used on its own or within a marriage preparation
course as a diagnostic tool. It is said to be used with great success
around the world in many languages and in different faith communities.
It may be very useful to have questions that are particularly about cohabitation.
People who use the package report that they find it easy to use and couples
respond well to the process.
Please note that although we have endeavoured to check the facts,
this review reflects personal opinion and is not an official statement from
Churches Together for Families. All reviews of resources are the personal views
of the group that prepared the material for this web site.
© Churches Together for Families, 2001
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