Get free support for you and your partner

  • About this study

    We are currently enrolling couples for an Australia-wide research study funded by the Australian Government.

    The study will evaluate whether an online relationship program is more or less effective than the care that couples would typically receive.

  • Get FREE help with your relationship

    If you are eligible you will get FREE access to a proven, flexible, and effective on-line program OR be provided with information and links to services to help you strengthen your relationship.

    You cannot choose which group you are allocated to - everyone in the study is randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) so that the results will not be biased.

  • Who can take part

    You may be eligible if:

    - You are 18 years or older

    - You live in Australia

    - You have access to the internet

    - You have been with your partner for at least 6 months and both of you want to take part in the study

    - You or your partner are experiencing dissatisfaction in your relationship.

    - You and your partner experience some relationship challenges related to alcohol or substances.

What does participation involve?

♥ Complete a 6 to 8 week online program designed to uncover, understand and solve the relationship issues that couples face.

♥ The program includes weekly 15-minute calls with a coach to help you stay on track.

OR

♥ Receive information and on-line resources and referral options to assist you in finding help for your relationship issues.

You will also be asked to complete SURVEYS at the start of the study and then:

  • About 2 months after starting the study 

  • 3 months later

  • 6 months later

  • 12 months later

In partnership with:

  • Odyssey Victoria

    Odyssey Victoria is a state-wide, specialist treatment organisation dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who experience significant or long-term problems from alcohol and other drug use.

    The first Odyssey House opened in New York in 1966 as a residential rehabilitation program for people with a drug or alcohol addiction. Odyssey House Victoria was established in Melbourne in 1979. Today, several Odyssey Houses exist throughout the United States, New Zealand, and Australia offering a wide range of programs and services.

  • Hello Sunday Morning

    The seed was sown for Hello Sunday Morning in 2009 when founder, Chris Raine embarked on a year-long experiment to quit drinking. A nightclub promoter at the time, Chris blogged about the challenges and successes of this experiment when he woke up hangover-free every Sunday Morning signing off with “Hello, Sunday Morning!” After that first year and  extending the challenge to his flatmate, since 2010, Chris has grown Hello Sunday Morning into a bona-fide health service, with Daybreak as its key offering. 

  • Anglicare Victoria

    Anglicare Victoria works to prevent harm and empower children, young people, and families to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Supporting tens of thousands of Victorians every year, our 2000+ staff and volunteers operate from more than 96 sites across the state, as well as delivering assistance online, at home and in the community. We are Victoria’s largest provider of Out of Home Care and Family Services, and one of Australia’s most innovative agencies in working with vulnerable children youth and families.

  • Windana

    Windana provides services across Victoria for adults and young people experiencing alcohol and other drug harms, family violence, mental health challenges and social disadvantage.

    By intervening early and creating purposeful partnerships, we help clients achieve improved outcomes while reducing demand on acute services. And we are influencing policy, practice and research to help shape better systems for clients.

Meet the Research Team

  • Prof. Gery Karantzas

    Prof. Gery Karantzas

    Deakin University, Australia

    Gery is a relationship scientist and couples therapist. His research interests centre around close personal relationships (family and romantic) and personal and social development.

  • Prof. Petra Staiger

    Deakin University, Australia

    Petra is an expert in addiction treatment and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Drug Use, Addictive and Anti-social behaviour Research (CEDAAR).

  • Prof. Brian Doss

    University of Miami, USA

    Brian is a Professor of Psychology. His research focuses on ways to use digital technologies to improve couples’ romantic relationships.

  • Distinguished Research Prof. Andrew Christensen

    University of California, USA

    Andrew conducts research on couple conflict and couples therapy and teaches couple therapy. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in California and has a part-time private practice devoted to couples counseling and therapy.

  • Dr. Pam Pilkington

    Deakin University, Australia

    Pam is a Clinical Psychologist with more than 10 years research experience. She has contributed to the development and evaluation of several relationship, parenting, mental health, and substance use interventions and prevention programs.

  • Prof. Peter Miller

    Deakin University, Australia

    Pete is a Professor of Violence Prevention and Addiction Studies. He is the Director of the CONNECT Research and Training Initiative at Deakin University, and co-founder of intergenerational Trauma Aware Geelong.

  • Dr. Ashlee Curtis

    Deakin University, Australia

    Ashlee is a mid career researcher and former Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research fellow. Her research has focused on the reduction of substance-related harm and aggressive behaviour.

  • Dr. Stefan Gruenert

    Odyssey Victoria, Australia

    Stefan is a psychologist with more than 25 years of experience in the drug and alcohol sector. He is currently the CEO of Odyssey Victoria and a Board member of the Victorian Council of Social Service and the Victorian Alcohol and other Drug Association.

  • Prof. John Toumbourou

    Deakin University, Australia

    John is the Chair in Health Psychology at Deakin University. He is the Co-Leader of Intervention Sciences within the SEED Lifecourse Research Centre. He has received international awards for his contributions in these areas and has been influential in reshaping Australian health policies to more effectively address adolescent alcohol misuse and related problems.

  • Stefanie Chevalier (PhD Candidate)

    Deakin University, Australia


    Stefanie has a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and is currently a PhD candidate. Her Honours thesis examined cognitive distraction alcohol cravings, and individual differences in reward sensitivity.

  • Maris Rispoli-Yovanovic (PhD Candidate)

    Deakin University, Australia

    Maris has a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours. Her Honours thesis investigated the efficacy of a physical activity intervention for improving sleep quality for regular alcohol drinkers.

 Contact us.

  • Please reach us via relationship-trial@deakin.edu.au

  • Deakin University
    221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125

  • This study has been reviewed by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (reference number: 2024-HE000384).