Transformative Couples Therapy® Research Study

Transformative Couples Therapy® is currently being evaluated through a research study administered through the Transformative Couples Therapy® Institute and its university partners, JMU and EMU.

Couples interested in participating can review the current study information, eligibility requirements, participating locations and application form below.

Apply Here for Research Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of TCT, with the goal of publishing the results in a peer reviewed journal. The total length of treatment in the study is sixteen 75-minute weekly sessions held on HIPAA compliant Zoom, with questionnaires at various points during and following the therapeutic process.

Couples participating in the research study will be offered a 50% discount from Therapists on the TCT Research Team.

Referral Criteria

Couples need to be eighteen or older and must have lived together for two years or more.
Gay and heterosexual couples are invited to apply.
The criteria do not allow for known physical violence in the couple dynamic or alcohol or drug abuse.
Couples would be in the mid-range of relational and psychological difficulties who could respond well to a shortened course of treatment.
Couples need to reside in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Virginia, Ontario, Canada or The Netherlands.
To apply for the study the couple should complete the TCT Research Study Interest Form at this link to start the process.

What is the Couple Screening Process?

The therapist on the TCT Research Study Team will contact them regarding their application. If they meet the criteria for this study, they will proceed to the next step.
They will then fill out HIPAA-compliant questionnaires which will take about twenty to thirty minutes.
If these questionnaires also confirm that they are a match for the study, the therapist will contact them to set up a mutually workable schedule for the sixteen weekly sessions.

What if the Couple Doesn't Meet the Criteria? The therapist will:

Refer them back to you or to another TCT therapist (who is not participating in the study) and are licensed in the couple’s state of residence.
The study therapist may possibly accept them into their couple therapy practice separately from the study and at their normal fee.
If neither 1 or 2 work out, they will be offered other referrals.

Research Team

Participating therapists are experienced TCT practitioners who consult and support one another as a research team. The existing Research Team and each therapist’s listed credentials, jurisdiction and contact information are preserved below.

California

David Mars, PhD, MFT
davidmarsphd@gmail.com

Jocelyn Pijpaert, PhD, LMFT
jocelyn@jp-counseling.com

Connecticut

Lisa Gardner, MSW, LCSW
lisagardnerlcsw@gmail.com

Christopher Russo, MSW, LCSW
chris@therapywithchris.com

Colorado

Brett King, LPC, NCC MFT
brettking@engagecounseling.net

Florida

John D. Hawkins Jr., LMHC
john@hawkinscounselingcenter.com

Pamela Lamto, Clinical Psychologist
plamto@gmail.com

Kentucky

James Santos, MFT Associate
jamessantos78@gmail.com

Maryland

Jazmin Moral, MSW, LCSW-C
jazmin@jazminmoral.com

Gail Schumann, MA, LCSW-C
gail@schumann.com

Massachusetts

Pamela Lamto, Clinical Psychologist
plamto@gmail.com

Missouri

Shaun Lotter, MA, LPC
shaun.lotter@lifechristiancounseling.org

New York