An Introduction

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FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) is a research-based self-report or diagnostic inventory. It is designed for couples considering committing themselves to a long-term relationship such as the responsibilities of children and marriage, and it is also applicable to couples within the first two years of such a relationship.

FOCCUS differs from REFOCCUS - which is designed for established couples - in that the FOCCUS report is not available online, though the FOCCUS questions can be answered on the Internet. It is also different from REFOCCUS because the FOCCUS report must be considered in conjunction with a facilitator/mentor couple, whereas REFOCCUS can be studied extensively by a couple on their own with the aid of follow-up questions that can be answered on the Internet and stored on their own computer completely confidentially. There is also a hand-scored version of REFOCCUS that a couple without access to the Internet can complete by themselves.

A list of FOCCUS facilitators/mentor couples appears when you click on the FOCCUS inventory button. This may be viewed by local authority area, county/region, or alphabetically by FOCCUS facilitator. FOCCUS works in three stages:

The first stage arises when individuals read and respond separately to 156 FOCCUS statements [either on the Internet or on answer sheets that are scanned later] and when the couple members subsequently discuss between themselves what they think and feel about each topic.

The second stage occurs with the help of a facilitator/mentor couple. Using the independently scored FOCCUS couple report, the facilitator(s)work with the couple looking at patterns in the responses, discussing issues, and assisting them to resolve problems, usually in conjunction with some exercises.

The third stage of FOCCUS use involves referrals of two kinds. The first kind of referral is not needed often and is for specialised – usually counselling - assistance. The second type is to an educational programme such as the HTB Marriage Course.

Additional content [33 statements] is included for interfaith/interchurch, remarriage, and cohabiting couples. FOCCUS reflects the values and ideals of marriage as sacred whether or not the wedding is a civil one or a part of a religious ceremony.

FOCCUS facilitators/mentors do not encourage couples into easily agreeing with something they have been taught. Couples need to really identify with and own an issue correctly. They are not given a solution before they have really named the problem. Facilitators are slow to "teach" before a couple has wrestled with the question themselves.

With FOCCUS the emphasis is very much upon developing a couple’s interest in a desire to face the realities of their particular relationship, rather than considering issues to do with relating as a generality.
FOCCUS facilitators encourage the “distributed practice learning principle”. This term in education describes the reality that most learning lasts longest and is best integrated if the subject matter is looked at (in a variety of ways) over and over again, rather than just once.
“Distributed practice” is the opposite of “massed practice” which is an intense learning experience in which something is learned in a concentrated time. “Massed practice” learning can have an “Ah Ha!” or “Conversion effect”, greatly impressing the learner. Ideally the process of marriage preparation should be extended over a period of weeks or several months, rather than concentrated into a day or a weekend.
FOCCUS for the Future is an optional planning and summary instrument for couples to complete and retain after the end of the marriage preparation process for recording their individual responses to the strengths and challenges in their relationship.
If you would like to take FOCCUS, please close this page and choose – if you have not done so already – a FOCCUS facilitator/mentor couple from the list in the FOCCUS inventory link on the Affinities page and make an arrangement to see them a week or two after you have completed the inventory. The FOCCUS facilitator will be sent a copy of your FOCCUS report soon after you have both finished taking the inventory. You can do this online now, which will also automatically trigger the scoring process, after you have paid £12 by VISA/MasterCard, which can also be done by closing this page and choosing the FOCCUS inventory on the Affinities page; or you can complete FOCCUS answer sheets when you visit the facilitator and pay at that time. The answer sheets will be sent away for scoring which will take a few days. £10 per couple covers the cost of scoring and providing the report and £2 is the cost of 2 copies of FOCCUS for the Future.
A set of 10 free sample questions, complete with follow-up sections using a technique called 'e-learning', is available for you and your partner to complete on line.
If you think you would like to become a FOCCUS facilitator because you have connections with supporting couples as a priest, minister, registrar, counsellor or interested lay pastoral worker, you may like to take REFOCCUS first with your partner by closing this page and choosing Join REFOCCUS on the Affinities page to pay £10 per couple by VISA/MasterCard.