Article Archive #11

Combination Group/Conjoint Instructional
Format for CC I

Generally, most COUPLE COMMUNICATION instructors teach the CC I program either in a group setting or in private conjoint sessions. (The teaching designs for these formats are in the CC Instructor Manual, Sections IV and V.) Another, alternative format proposed and tested by several instructors combines an all-day Saturday group session with several weekly conjoint sessions. The parts of this alternative format follow.

MAXI-CONTRACT

The model begins with a maxi-contract in which the instructor discusses what is involved in COUPLE COMMUNICATION I with a couple, and the couple decides mutually whether or not to participate.

Partners who which to participate receive their CC I Couple Packet with instruction to complete the pre-assessment and begin reading the Introduction and Chapters 1, 2, and 4 in Talking and Listening Together.

ALL-DAY SATURDAY GROUP SESSION

Use the CC I Group design in the Instructor Manual, however, alter the sequence:

Purpose of Couple Communication I, Program Guidelines "Choosing Communication Styles": (Presentation and Demonstration Only) "Introduction": Caring and Issues (1hr., 15 min.)

"Caring About Yourself": Self-Awareness, Talking Skills (2 hrs.)

Break for Lunch

"Caring About Your Partner": Listening Skills, Tying Skills to Styles, Mixed Messages, Assign Chapter 3. (2 hrs., 15 min.)

CONJOINT SESSIONS

Each couple schedules two or three 50-minute sessions to see their instructor privately. Use the CC I Conjoint design for these sessions. The couple learns: Patterns of Conflict Resolution, "Resolving Conflicts: Mapping Issues." In the structured process, they apply skills gained in the all-day group meeting.

This alternative, as the more traditional formats, offers advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

• Couples acquire the basic COUPLE COMMUNICATION I concepts and skills in a time and cost effective way in an enjoyable context with other couples.
• The program begins with a useful perspective, the Styles of Communication, and then later the same day ties the talking and listening skills to the styles. (In the regular group and conjoint formats, the Awareness Wheel is taught in the first session so that couples can receive immediate coaching and leave the first session with a practical tool and skills they can immediately put to use. This alternative format changes that sequence.)
• Partners receive private, customized coaching of skill use as partners learn to Map (more sensitive) Issues.

The disadvantage:

• Couples do not receive time between sessions in the all-day session to practice their skills.

If you have comments about this alternative instructional format, or if you have another format that has worked well for couples you teach, please send us an email.