Integrating the online OurRelationship program into a stepped-care model of couple therapy

Abstract

Due to various barriers, most relationally distressed couples do not seek couple therapy. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these barriers are further exacerbated, while the need for relationship services has increased. To increase the reach of couple therapy both during and after the pandemic, we propose a stepped-care model that utilises technology as a precursor to couple therapy and acts as an integral component of it. In this paper, we first introduce the OurRelationship program – an evidence-based online relationship program that improves both relationship and individual functioning in several large-scale, nationwide trials. We then describe how therapists can incorporate this program into an abbreviated, eight-session course of couple therapy. We expect this integration will be useful to couple therapists from a variety of theoretical orientations and will address numerous common barriers to treatment including cost, scheduling difficulties and geographic distance from the therapist. Practitioner points: Couple therapists can leverage technology to increase their reach both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The online OurRelationship program improves relationship and individual functioning in several nationwide clinical trials. The OurRelationship program can be integrated into an eight-session course of couple therapy to serve couples who would otherwise be unable or unwilling to attend therapy.