An international research on couple therapy is looking for volunteers in Madrid, Zaragoza and Malaga who wish to improve their relationship. This is the most important study of its kind in the Spanish-speaking world and it is led by the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra, in partnership with Brigham Young University (USA).

Specifically, we are looking for couples aged between 25 and 70, who have been living together for at least one year and who wish to make their relationship work better. It is required that one of their native languages is Spanish and that they have been living in this country for at least five years, currently in Madrid, Zaragoza and Malaga or neighbouring municipalities. They must also have internet access. 

The goal is to validate Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) for the first time in Spanish-speaking countries. fees "This model has had broad empirical support through clinical trials carried out in the USA and Canada: it has reported significant improvement in 75% of cases," says Martiño Rodríguez, researcher main project E(f)FECTS of the ICS. As he explains, TFE is based on adult attachment theory and financial aid helps partners to feel secure in the relationship and strengthen bonds. 

20 free couples therapy sessions

Martiño Rodríguez explains that the couples will be randomly distributed into two groups. One of them will participate in a one-and-a-half day training , with lectures and activities to improve their relationship. It is called "Hold me tight" and consists of a course given by psychologists, psychotherapists and relationship experts. It will be completely free of charge for volunteers and can be taken online or at modality , depending on the location of residency program. It will take place in spring 2022.

The couples randomly assigned to the other group will be able to attend to 20 free therapy sessions, on a weekly basis. "They will have to agree to be videotaped during their sessions so that these can be reviewed by the researchers, who will always guarantee control and confidentiality," says the ICS expert. In addition, in both groups, volunteers will be required to fill in questionnaires at different times during the process.

The project E(f)FECTS is being developed in five countries: Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and Costa Rica. Sixteen therapists and ten supervisors from 11 different countries participate, with the support of a team of research made up of professors and researchers from five universities located in Spain, Canada and the USA.