Couples Therapy and Relationship Education

Couple relationship education is aimed at currently satisfied and functioning partners who wish to further strengthen their relationship and prevent problems in the future. Alternatively, couple therapy is also aimed at partners who are currently dissatisfied with their relationship and wish to resolve the difficulties they are experiencing.

The UQ Psychology Clinic offers the Couple Commitment and Relationship Enhancement (Couple CARE) program, which is an evidence-based approach to enhancing relationship quality. Couple CARE is an Australian program developed by psychologists at the University of Queensland and Griffith University.

There are a number of evidence-based approaches to couple therapy, with the following being offered at the Clinic:

• Integrative-Behavioural Couples Therapy: This approach assists couples in understanding the recurrent and unhelpful interaction patterns that may be occurring in their relationship, as well as understanding each partner’s individual vulnerabilities and responses to relationship events. Therapy focuses on the development of relationship skills and expectations, with the aim of enhancing couple satisfaction and improving dysfunctional relationship behaviours.
• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT): EFT focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional interaction styles and negative emotional responses as a means of improving relationship satisfaction. Therapy allows couples to better understand their own, as well as their partner’s, emotional needs, and how these needs can be fulfilled within positive interactions. Therapy attempts to interrupt the cycle of negative emotions and interactions to create more positive ways of relating between partners.