There are several programs available to assist clergy with counseling couples preparing for marriage/union. One of the goals of counseling is to provide couples with tools for building and sustaining their relationship. Some of those programs currently used by clergy in the Diocese of California are listed below: Prepare–Enrich – Requires clergy to attend a one-day training session to become familiar with the program. There are different inventories, depending on the circumstances of the couple. This program can be used for people who are already in union and are seeking help to improve or reestablish their relationship. The inventory surveys 11 areas and provides the clergy and couples with starting points for counseling. While there is no inventory specifically designed for same gender couples, the inventories provided are general enough for adaptation with same gender couples. Couple’s Workshop – Bishop Andrus has encouraged CMB and leaders of Basics4Marriage to work together to create a program open to all couples. (A team at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek created Basics4Marriage, similar to the familiar Engaged Encounter workshop.) We are striving to have a pilot program completed in time to offer a workshop in 2008. The one-day format would be designed to be used in conjunction with, not in lieu of, individual clergy/couple counseling, and would provide couples with tools for enhancing communication. In this model, while those leading the workshop make presentations to the group, the discussion that follows is between each couple, not in a small group. Stay posted for updates! | 
