Incorporating Internet-based Interventions into Couple Therapy: Available Resources and Recommended Uses

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Digital Health

Background:

• Many couples experiencing distress do not seek in-person therapy due to various barriers.
• Internet-based interventions (IBIs) present a scalable solution to increase access to relationship support.
• IBIs are based on established in-person treatments for relationship distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide couple and family therapists with an overview of available IBIs.
• To suggest how IBIs can be integrated into different stages of in-person treatment.
• To review IBIs for individual psychopathology and couple relationship distress.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of internet-based interventions.
• Categorization of IBIs into four types: advice websites, assessment/feedback, enrichment, and targeted interventions.
• Inclusion of a case study and appendices detailing available IBIs.

Main Results:

• IBIs targeting individual psychopathology can serve as adjuncts when in-person individual therapy is not feasible.
• Reviewed IBIs for couples include relationship advice, assessment/feedback tools, enrichment programs, and interventions for at-risk/distressed couples.
• The review provides a comprehensive overview and practical guidance for therapists.

Conclusions:

• IBIs are a promising avenue to broaden access to relationship support.
• Therapists can leverage IBIs to supplement or provide alternatives to traditional in-person couple and family therapy.
• Further integration of IBIs can enhance the reach and effectiveness of relationship interventions.