Couples Research - Psychology Cares

Couples Research

Clinical Research & Application

Couples (Cop)
Research (R)
- Conceptual (C)
  Cop-R-C
- Theoretical (T)
  Cop-R-T
- Clinical (CI)
  Cop-R-CI
- Practice (P)
  Cop-R-P

Couples (Cop-R)

Clinical Research & Application

The theoretical foundations of social relations trace back to the late 19th century with individuals such as Karl Marx and George Simmel developing theories about the types of social ties which keep people together. However, throughout much of the history of psychology, understanding of how couples interact, the impact of their dynamics on mental health, and how to improve their relationship received little attention. It was not until the 1960s and 1970s, with the expansion of family therapy, that couple therapy began to emerge as a discipline within its own right. Pioneers such as Andrew Christensen, Neil Scott Jacobson, and John Gottman played pivotal roles in establishing and shaping this evolving field. Contemporary advancements in this domain draw on the principles of relational science, aiming to comprehend the neurobiological processes that contribute to bonding, communication, emotional wellbeing, and overall relational wellbeing [Lebow & Snyder, 2022].

Relationships not only impact our mental wellbeing, but also our physical health as research suggests that poor marital relationships can negatively impact our cardiovascular health [Smith, 2022]. This highlights the need to take a multi-discipline approach to understanding, assessing, and treating relationship issues.

Development of theoretical approaches and models within the field of couple psychology and interpersonal relations have been driven by the high prevalence of couple distress, the recognition of the impact of this distress on partners and family, and the increased expectations on relationships in the last few years [Lebow & Snyder, 2022]. A notable approach to understanding and treating issues within couples is the Psychobiological Approach pioneered by Stan Tatkin. This approach is grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, and understanding of the biology of human arousal [The Pact Institute, 2023].

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Psychology Cares Approach

Our Centre for Research and Clinical Innovation empowers us to explore and understand the unique dynamics of relationships Our approach to clinical research and application at Psychology Cares is truly distinctive. We seamlessly blend conceptual and theoretical research with insights from clinical experiences. It is not just the integration of theory and practice, but our ability to let clinical experience shape and mould concepts unique to Psychology Cares. This dynamic interplay empowers us to craft best practice guidelines that set a benchmark for excellence. Inspired by great polymaths such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Richard Feynman, we seek to incorporate a wide range of disciplines in our search for knowledge and understanding. Integrating science with art, and art with science, our Centre for Research and Clinical Innovation takes a unique approach to unlocking the secrets of human behaviour and phenomena.