At the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) Conference held Jan. 9-11 in New Orleans, Everette Coffman, PhD, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Child and Family Studies, alongside second-year master's students Elizabeth Hile and Aaliyah Torres, presented findings from USF's Marriage and Family Therapy program on addressing relationship distress and satisfaction issues, often linked to insecure attachment styles.
The presentation centered on the ELEVATE program, a five-week, evidence-based intervention designed to improve relational skills and overall satisfaction. Data from 2,355 participants in the University of Florida’s SMART Couples program revealed significant improvements in relationship quality and attachment security. Eight key constructs were measured, including communication, relationship satisfaction, and self- and partner awareness.
Key takeaways emphasized the effectiveness of relationship education in enhancing attachment security, promoting self-care, and fostering partner care. The presenters highlighted ELEVATE's potential as a complement to traditional therapy and its scalability, making it accessible to diverse populations. Attendees were encouraged to incorporate relationship education programs like ELEVATE into their therapeutic practices to reduce relational distress and strengthen attachment bonds.