Comparing brief psychoanalytic and emotionally focused couple therapies for relationship distress

Comparing the Efficacy of Brief Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy in Reducing Relationship Distress and Psychopathological Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial will test whether brief psychoanalytic couple therapy or emotionally focused therapy better reduces relationship problems and related depression and anxiety in heterosexual couples with moderate to severe relationship distress.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 24 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beykoz University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Istanbul)
• Trial ID: NCT07100951 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 60 heterosexual couples and randomly assign them to Brief Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy (BPCT) or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Each treatment arm delivers weekly online couple sessions (BPCT described as 12 × 50-minute sessions) by trained therapists, with pre- and post-treatment assessments. Primary outcomes include relationship satisfaction (DAS-32) and symptoms of depression and anxiety, and secondary outcomes include emotion regulation and adult attachment measures. The trial compares a well-established, attachment-based EFT approach with a less-studied psychoanalytic approach focused on unconscious relational patterns.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Heterosexual couples aged 24–65 who have been together at least two years, with at least one partner scoring ≤30 on the DAS-32 and at least one partner showing mild to severe symptoms on the BDI-II or BAI are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Couples currently in individual or couple psychotherapy, using psychiatric medication in the past three months, with severe psychiatric disorders, active substance use disorder, or histories of severe partner violence are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify which therapy more effectively improves relationship satisfaction and reduces depression and anxiety, guiding clinicians toward better evidence-based couple treatments delivered online.

How similar studies have performed: EFT has a strong evidence base for reducing relationship distress and improving attachment, whereas BPCT is less empirically tested, making this head-to-head comparison partially novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Heterosexual couples (both partners must participate)
* Age between 24 and 65 years
* Minimum 2 years of relationship duration
* At least one partner scoring ≤ 30 on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-32), indicating clinically significant relationship distress
* At least one partner scoring in the mild, moderate, or severe range on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) or Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current participation in individual or couple psychotherapy
* Use of psychiatric medication during the past 3 months
* Presence of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder)
* History or presence of physical or severe psychological partner violence, assessed via Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2)
* Active substance use disorder within the past 6 months

Where this trial is running

Istanbul

• Beykoz University — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Eda Yılmazer, Phd

Conditions: Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Emotion Regulation, Attachment, Relationship Distress, Brief Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Couple Therapy