Starting April 1, University of Miami faculty, staff, and students will have access to a free, research-backed digital program designed to help couples strengthen their relationships, all from the convenience of a smartphone or computer.
The program, called OurRelationship, was created by Brian Doss, a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences who has spent more than 15 years developing digital alternatives to traditional couples therapy. A new federal grant from the Administration for Children and Families extends free access to the program to couples and individuals across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with the University community as a key beneficiary.
“We think about our motto as essentially a tool to solve relationship problems,” said Doss. “It’s taking what we know is effective in couples therapy and translating it to a digital tool.”
Doss first began developing the program in 2009 after observing a troubling pattern: even when high-quality, free couples therapy was available, many couples would not participate. Transportation logistics, competing schedules, and reluctant partners all created barriers that traditional therapy could not overcome. The solution he developed is a flexible, app-based program that each partner can complete independently, on their own time.
The program is available through both major app stores and on desktop browsers. Coaching sessions, conducted via video call, help users stay on track and address questions, though the core curriculum is delivered entirely through the digital platform. Coaching appointments are available during the day, evenings, and weekends.
Doss and his team have tested the program’s effectiveness across multiple randomized controlled trials involving close to 5,000 couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, military families, and couples dealing with substance use issues. The results have been promising.
Perhaps most notably, Doss and his team found that the program delivered roughly two-thirds of the benefits of high-quality in-person couples’ therapy. But it was the downstream effects that surprised the researchers most: they documented improvements in participants’ mental health, co-parenting quality, and even child wellbeing.
“Our program was the first to experimentally show that if you just improve the relationship, you can have all these trickle-down effects,” Doss said.
Doss’ research has also confirmed the value of human coaching. Even a single initial session significantly increases the likelihood that couples complete the program and experience its benefits. However, Doss noted that completion of the digital program alone, with or without a coach, still produces meaningful results.
One unexpected finding from the research speaks directly to campus communities: When the program was provided to all active-duty U.S. military personnel, approximately half of the participants chose to use the app without ever meeting with a coach, even though coaching was free. For Doss, that finding underscores how many people want relationship support without the stigma of seeking formal help.
This is especially relevant at the University, where college students represent one of the highest-risk groups for physical aggression and relationship conflict, yet are among the least likely to seek professional support. The program offers a private, low-pressure way to reflect on a relationship and build communication and conflict-resolution skills without committing to therapy.
For those who prefer to work in person with a therapist, brief couples therapy is available to the UM community through the Counseling Center and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. The Our Relationship program complements these services by offering an additional, accessible option at no cost to users.
The program is open to all University faculty, staff, and students who are 18 or older and in a romantic relationship, whether married, engaged, cohabitating, or dating. Partners can complete the program together or separately; an individual version is available for those whose partners are not willing or able to participate.
Free access begins April 1. To get started, visit free.ourrelationship.com.
Doss said he hopes the program sparks important conversations on campus and beyond. “The goal is really encouraging us to talk about relationship health more broadly and ensure that we’re getting the most out of our relationships,” he said.
