Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you'll find the information you're looking for in the following list of
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about the Active Relationships Center and its programs. We always welcome your suggestions
for additional questions and answers. For more information, 214-369-5717

1. What is the goal of the Active Relationships Center's Programs?

To teach skills that will help people build, experience and sustain healthy, enjoyable relationships.

2. What courses does the Active Relationships Center offer?

ARC offers 1, 2  and 3 day seminars, and a 75 hour series.Current programs include the Mastery Series of four weekend seminars including: Active Communication and Resolution Skills, Active Couples and Their Money Personalities, Active Romance and Intimacy, and Creating Active Traditions that Keep Love Alive. These seminars can be taken as a series or independently. Other courses we offer include: How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk(ess), Active Families Communication, 1, 2, 3 Magic Parenting for on-the-ball parents, and Active Premarital Skills for a smart, passionate and lasting relationship.ARC also offers special programs for training personnel in the Armed Forces  (including Active Military Reunions to ready personnel for returning home from deployments) and for Faith-Based communities and schools.

3. What exactly are Active Relationships Skills  Programs?

ARC courses are either courses designed by Director Kelly Simpson, or from other well-known authors and experts in the field. The courses are formed from a variety of effective theories researched and found useful over the last four decades for relationship literacy. These theories have been put into the
format of a course. ARC programs are classes that TEACH emotional and relationship literacy, high level thinking and practical skills for increasing camaraderie, pleasure and team-work.

4. Are Courses more like being in a classroom or being in a counseling setting?

ARC courses are more like a classroom. The leader presents material, participants may ask questions and later, participants privately practice skills.

5. If I like my privacy, how will ARC courses honor my privacy in the classroom?

ARC programs are taught to a group of people and do not single out anyone. Participants can sit back and learn without saying a word if they so choose. No practice exercises are forced upon participants.

6. Even if I don't enjoy being in groups, can I tolerate ARC courses and really get something positive from the course?

It is common for people to wonder why they would want to come to a relationship skills course. No one EVER has to talk in front of the group. You can learn just from hearing class comments. The class acts a safe place to try out new skills. It also allows people to see how normal they are, since relationships are work and no one knows it all! Participants often state that they finally realize how normal they are in their challenges.

7. Is there an agenda for the courses?

Yes. Each ARC course has a set of skills to cover in the time scheduled.

8. How are personal issues, specific to each person, handled in ARC courses?

Personal issues may be addressed during practice exercises (at these times coaching is available as needed) or may be shared privately with the course leader (with the permission of the participant's partner). But time is not alloted for individual or couple's counseling and the courses stay on track to cover the needed material in the course.

9. What is the usual size of the group for ARC programs?

Usually from 8 to 40 people. A typical class size is between 12 and 24 participants. For some courses that require less coaching from the instructor may have as many as 50 participants.

10. My partner and I have already had private couples counseling. How can ARC courses help us?

ARC courses are different in several ways from private counseling and is not intended to compete with or replace one to one work with your therapist. ARC courses can be useful as an addition to private counseling:

*It has a strong teaching component, which is why it is termed psycho-education
*Seeing the strengths and abilities of other couples or individuals can have a positive effect on your hope for new skills & possibilities.
*There is a specific agenda each day of material to be covered.
*Courses are skills-based and provide practical tools that can be learned and repeated to maintain healthy relationships.

11. Can I come to ARC courses and still retain my current relationship with the therapist or private counselor I already have?

Absolutely. We have several therapists who regularly refer their clients to ARC programs to give their clients a different experience and additional growth opportunities. If you wish for an ARC leader to consult with your private therapist, you will need to sign a release enabling him/her to do so. The ARC leader can then interact with the therapist to let him/her know about the specific skills you are being taught to enable your therapist's support of the skills you have learned.

12. What if I don’t have a therapist currently and would like to see a trained therapist at ARC for private therapy while I wait for the next  program to begin?

Usually, that can work out well. Kelly Simpson or other licensed marriage and family therapists, can see you privately as your schedule and his/hers permits. It depends on the available openings at the time of your call (and your schedule).

13. What is the cost of  programs?

ARC programs cost per hour similar to the amount of an insurance co-pay -- about $10-$15/hr/person (which includes most materials!)    How does that sound for skills which last a lifetime?  We like how it sounds too!  Cost of individual seminars  depends on the amount of classroom hours per course.  Additional savings are available for registering early. ARC courses generally cost about one-fifth per hour the cost of private one-to-one sessions with a  therapist/counselor (depending on what the therapist’s fee is).

14. If I were to compare ARC Courses- Psychoeducation- to traditional marriage therapy, how much would I be getting?

Again, it depends on the length of the course. A one-day course has 8 teaching/practicing hours. I suppose a one-day ARC  course would approximate 8 weekly therapy sessions.
The two day program has 16 teaching/practicing hours and the MASTERY Series has 75 teaching/practicing hours (which would approximate one and one-half years of weekly private sessions)!  In other words, with ARC you will gain skills at a much more rapid rate.

 
15. Who teaches the ARC programs? What are their credentials?

In Dallas, many of the programs are taught by Kelly Simpson. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sports Counselor and experienced family mediator. She is assisted in the ARC programs by her husband Rob Crawford JD, a corporate securities attorney.

16. I really don’t think that we can make the radical changes because of all our commitments (kids, jobs, time pressures, financial obligations, business or school commitments). What can ARC programs do for us if we are so busy?

We find that most people who take ARC courses are normal people with busy schedules. Part of the commitment to take ARC courses is to set aside time and to make  relationships a priority. We need to be intentional in our relationships to maintain their health. They don't just happen to be good any more than business just happen to be successful. ARC courses teach skills to help people connect in the hectic world. It also helps couples examine their lifestyles and make changes that often lead to more fun and more peace. And, when there is mutual good will, changes don’t feel radical. 

17. We’ve been married for 10 years. Can ARC programs help us change even after we are set in our ways?

Yes. Can people learn to play golf or tennis at age 40 and over? Of course if they desire to learn and if they practice. Relationships often wither from lack of effort and attention. But at ARC we’ve seen intentional changes people can make, even when they have been married for many years. It’s not the length of time married, it’s the proactive commitment to grow and experience greater skills and a richer life that makes the difference. ARC courses sometimes rekindle love and promote a wonderfully pleasurable relationship again. Courses also help people keep their love alive! Courses can even help parents make peace at home or help participants make wise decisions before marriage.

18. Will we really come out of this program with the tools to make our relationship satisfying and happy?

What we have heard from participants is that there is a tremendous sense of good will between partners after participating in ARC programs. This goodwill seems to be a catalyst for all kinds of positive changes.

19. Do the classes assist us in developing a good plan for our marriage in the future?

Yes, especially the Mastery Series of programs. We find that when you have a plan, you are more likely to reach your goals. ARC  can provide follow-up experiences for one year following the Mastery Series to help support ongoing use of skills.

20. Would it be worth my time to take one of the  workshops before signing up for the Mastery Series?

Not necessarily. But we believe that any work toward enhancing relationships is worthwhile. Once you have experienced any ARC program you may feel more comfortable investing your time, energy, and money in the Mastery Series, but that is up to you!

21. I’m not in a relationship right now, but can ARC courses help a single person too?

ARC helps singles know themselves better discover more about how to choose and to build a healthy relationship. Singles have told me that they feel more able to choose appropriate friendships or partnerships and they have an increased frame of reference for healthy pleasurable possibilities. Singles are welcome in ANY of the ARC courses. The "How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk" is very popular for singles, but any of the courses are valuable to both singles and couples.

22. How are ARC programs different from other marriage enrichment programs?

One difference is that the Mastery Series of programs  is longer, and more comprehensive, if you take all the programs – allowing for change to happen over time and for more material to be presented and experienced. It can help you not only build but sustain changes.

23. Can ARC courses be taught to us in private sessions instead of in a group?

Yes, much of it can be. It is much more expensive to do so and I cannot duplicate the power of the group in private sessions. One suggestion is to try a seminar with the group before making the decision to invest in the Mastery Series privately. You may find you are very comfortable in the ARC programs. The group provides energy and a safe atmosphere for taking risks and trying new tools. It shows participants the challenges of normall relationships. ARC knows that courses in a classroom setting are not for everyonel, so if you would rather schedule private sessions your individual needs are most important.

24. What kinds of people go through the ARC programs?

Young, old, middle aged; couples looking for ways to experience even more joy; couples with “the attorneys on hold . . .looking for one last ditch effort”, people trying to decide if their partner is “the right one”, singles looking to figure out what it takes to have a lasting relationship. The design of the curriculum and the psychoeducational model enables all sorts of different people in different situations to grow and learn and change.

25. Will all the people in my class be in my age group?

People are usually of all ages and stages. The relationship veterans usually say they are envious of people who take it while their relationships is young because it provides them with skills to use to have many, many years of happiness.

26. What is the “success rate” of psychoeducational programs?

Take a look at the research and at news articles regarding the outcome data for relationship skills programs. There are a number of great programs throughout the United States and across the globe. Marriages have actually been revived and improved even when the couple thought stated prior to the course, they thought is was impossible. People have learned to re-experience joy! The success rate is highly impressive.

27. Could ARC programs help premarital couples too?

Of course, if they want to learn the skills necessary to have a joyful relationship and set patterns of a healthy, happy relationship. ARC programs could be a great place for them. In fact we have a new premarital program for a starting off with GREAT skills.

28. We have been seeing each other for almost a year and are beginning to think about the long term. Can ARC help a new relationship?

ABSOLUTELY! ARC participants gain skills necessary to make the commitment to each other and help this relationship have a long, happy future, if this is what you want. People in a new relationship without a lot of baggage learn ways to keep their relationship current and deal with problems effectively so that “baggage” does not have to build up. It will “ . . . help them see the speed bumps of life before they get to them, so that they can go over them gently, or go around them.”

29. I think I know how I want our relationship to be. Will the ARC Programs help my partner understand me and try to be the way I really want?

ARC programs help us learn to listen to what our partner has to say. They teach participants to assume goodwill (unless there is abuse, physical or emotional!) This does not mean that just because a partner HEARS, that he/she will do what you desire. But many times when true intentions are understood there is a greater willingness to bridge gaps.

30. Does insurance cover ARC programs?

Usually no, unless your carrier covers Wellness Programs. ( We believe that relationship wellness and relationship literacy are as important as learning to read.) It is also our belief that relationship programs can be beneficial for all people. Insurance companies typically will not provide coverage unless a problem is diagnosed and labeled. We, through the ARC program, do not wish to put diagnostic labels on participants. When clients come for private counseling services an ARC leader can absolutely explore the option of insurance coverage as appropriate, but not for ARC classes in the group setting.

31. How do I sign up for classes?

You can use the registration form on the website followed by a deposit in the mail or you can register by email or by calling the ARC office and providing staff with appropriate information to mail you a registration form and other important information. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express cards are also accepted. Your space will be reserved when your deposit is received.

32. If there is no ARC program in my community, what can I do?

You can call  Kelly Simpson to discover whether there is a clinician in your area in the process of being trained.  If there is none, you can provide her with the name and address of a reputable clinician in your area and ARC will be happy to send him/her information on becoming trained.

Participants have flown to Dallas for weekend workshops from as far away as San Diego and Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York! We hope you'll join us too!