Couples Therapy Outcome Study
Consultant: Sabrina Cluesman, PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Jae Sevelius, RLF Senior Research Strategist
Project Timeline: September 2025 – August 2026

Objective: To lead the implementation and dissemination of the Relational Life Therapy Foundation’s initial outcomes study and contribute to a broader research agenda that advances RLT toward recognition as an empirically supported treatment.

Key Activities and Deliverables: In 5 phases as outlined below, the Director of Research will obtain IRB approval and oversee all aspects of study implementation, including supervising a part-time research assistant,
overseeing recruitment in collaboration with Relational Life Institute staff, managing and analyzing data, and disseminating results in peer-reviewed journals. In parallel, the Director will work with Institute staff and the Senior Research Strategist to publish 1-2 theoretical and/or conceptual papers on RLT.

Phase 1: Planning, Infrastructure, and IRB Approval (Month 1–2)
Tasks:

• Finalize study design and data collection protocol
• Prepare and submit IRB application
• Hire and supervise part-time research assistant
• Develop recruitment materials
• Program and test survey instruments
• Build data tracking infrastructure

Deliverable: IRB approval and finalized study tools

Phase 2: Pilot Launch and Therapist Engagement (Month 3)
Tasks:

• Soft launch with 5 couples to test feasibility
• Finalize and implement therapist recruitment strategy
• Adjust procedures based on pilot feedback
• Supervise part-time research assistant

Deliverable: Pilot report and full study launch readiness

Phase 3: Full Study Implementation (Month 4–6)
Tasks:

• Oversee participant enrollment and retention
• Manage data collection and quality control
• Supervise part-time research assistant

Deliverable: Mid-study progress report

Phase 4: Analysis and Preliminary Dissemination (Month 7–9)
Tasks:

• Finalize follow-up data collection
• Oversee data cleaning and coding
• Coordinate with statistician on analyses
• Draft tables, figures, and key results

Deliverable: Preliminary results report and analytic tables

Phase 5: Manuscript Development and Public Dissemination (Month 10–12)
Tasks:

• Draft and submit outcomes study manuscript in collaboration with Senior Research
• Strategist and other authors, revise and resubmit as needed
• Create lay summary and slide deck for RLT network
• Lead webinar or in-person briefing on study results

Deliverable: Peer-reviewed manuscript submission and lay dissemination materials

Parallel Publications (Ongoing Throughout Year)
Tasks:

• Lead development of 1–2 theoretical or conceptual papers on RLT (non-data-driven)
• Collaborate with Senior Research Strategist and other authors
• Target appropriate journals for submission

Deliverable: Submission of at least one conceptual publication

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attend biweekly check-ins with Dr. Sevelius to review study progress
• Maintain project timelines and coordinate across team members
• Contribute to grant development and external research partnerships, as needed

​Goal: To conduct a high-impact study to produce initial evidence of RLT’s effectiveness.

Hypotheses

1. Primary: Couples will show significant improvement in relationship satisfaction from pre- to post-treatment.
2. Secondary: Participants will show reductions in depression/anxiety, and improvements in communication and conflict.
3. Exploratory: Movement on the GRID (e.g., toward “circle of health”) will correlate with improvements in outcomes.

 
Implementation Strategy 

• Identify excellent therapists already trained in RLT (e.g., from certification cohorts).
• Create a centralized research portal: one consent form + surveys emailed at predefined timepoints.
• Offer therapists an incentive for recruiting couples (e.g., “research-engaged provider” badge, alumni membership, and/or discounted or free access to trainings).
  • Communicate value of participating in the research to engage potential therapists.
• Include one research assistant to manage data tracking and cleaning.

 
Reporting & Publication

• Target journals: Journal of Marital and Family Therapy or Psychotherapy Research.
• Example title: “Initial Evidence of Effectiveness for Relational Life Therapy: A Pragmatic Pre-Post Outcomes Study.”
• Include effect sizes to support claims of "evidence-based" under APA Division 12 or National Register of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)-style criteria.​

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