Is there such a thing as a graduate program for romance/dating/relationships psychology (not an MFT)

[sam handwich]

Hi,

I possess a BA in psych but am still undecided on career direction. I know that an MFT or other counseling role is not for me, but I had an interesting idea the other day and was wondering if anyone knew of a program for dating/romance/relationship psychology? MFTs are quite useful for treating broken marriages and what not, but I think where I wanted to go with this was focusing on preventing bad relationships to begin with. With high divorce rates, its quite clear that humans not knowing how to be in relationships (after all, most of us just dive in to them on cultural or hollywood notions and not the actual science) is a real problem.

Its a little vague at this point I know, but surely a subject that is fascinating to me. What would I do with an advanced degree focusing on the science of relationships? I dont know, but researcher or "dating coach" (think will smith in the film "hitch", but using real science and minus the hollywood) are two possibilities. Anyway, I cant seem to find any universities yet with a such a specific focus, but on the other hand, I dont really know much about how one searches for universities by focus. There of course are broader categories like social psychology, but does anyone have any ideas for finding authorities on the subject that may be offering a viable program?

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[Ollie123]

Not aware of any programs focused exclusively on this issue I do think it falls broadly within the purview of clinical/counseling psychology and could very well see MFTs/LCSWs doing similar work. I imagine the focus would largely be on adolescents/development.

The fact that you have ruled out "MFTs and other counseling roles" confuses me though, as it sounds like you would want exactly that. Any program will require relatively broad training, so you won't find anything that JUST focuses on these issues. You are talking about a very narrow subspecialty within any of the above fields...not one that is a field unto itself.

If you are willing to forego the clinical piece, social psychology and developmental psychology programs would also be a good fit.

 

[PsyDr]

okcupid has all sorts of published stats and data mining on their blog. I assume the other large dating websites have similar but private stuff like that.

 

[smalltownpsych]

The applied science of human relationships is clinical psychology. We tend to refer to it as attachment theory and there is a wealth of research to be done. Attraction and dating is part of that and also overlaps into social psychology and developmental, as well. The beauty of being a psychologist is that you would be able to advance the field of knowledge in that area. Do what you can to get involved in some psychological research now because regardless of what it is, it is all related to your area of interest.

 

[sam handwich]

Perhaps I am operating on some false assumptions or ignorance. I thought that MFT or other clinical psychologist would focus on say, families or already married couples that are having difficulties (impending divorce, etc).
In the applied sense, I was thinking of being more of an adviser but one that is very practical and behaviorally based on things like, helping a single client be more attractive, clients who are awkward with the opposite sex, how to behave on a date for it to be *successful*, and such. I believe that dating coaches exist in some capacity, not that their field is regulated or necessarily scientific, but that would be part of the dream: To coach but with upholding rigorous scientific expertise, to provide information and guidance that is research-based.
If I kept the career a theoritical-oriented one (conducting research but not meeting with clients on an applied level), I suppose I would want this to be my specialty in the broader sense of social or developmental psychology.

 

[kestrelcry]

There are a number of clinical psychology programs (and some social psych programs) with professors doing research on various aspects of relationships. This research includes a wide range of topics: e.g. communication, parenting, sex, finances, domestic violence, one member of a couple with a terminal/chronic/mental illness. Some of this research is focused on preventative interventions for couples (google The Marriage Checkup and the Relationship Rx). One can also receive couples therapy training at the clinical programs. However, I don't know of anyone focused on helping individuals be better daters. That is something that can come up in individual therapy, like improving people's interpersonal skills, knowledge of themselves and their values, and how to take that into consideration when picking a partner, but that would likely be a small part of one's practice.

 

[smalltownpsych]

Perhaps I am operating on some false assumptions or ignorance. I thought that MFT or other clinical psychologist would focus on say, families or already married couples that are having difficulties (impending divorce, etc).
In the applied sense, I was thinking of being more of an adviser but one that is very practical and behaviorally based on things like, helping a single client be more attractive, clients who are awkward with the opposite sex, how to behave on a date for it to be *successful*, and such. I believe that dating coaches exist in some capacity, not that their field is regulated or necessarily scientific, but that would be part of the dream: To coach but with upholding rigorous scientific expertise, to provide information and guidance that is research-based.
If I kept the career a theoritical-oriented one (conducting research but not meeting with clients on an applied level), I suppose I would want this to be my specialty in the broader sense of social or developmental psychology.

Helping a non-clinical population improve their dating does not require a high level of expertise or training. For a more clinical population, dating would be a small portion, if any, of the difficulties that they are working to improve. Also, for many of my patients who have been sexually abused, how to not replicate the same relational patterns by communicating and holding to healthy personal boundaries is more central to their focus and that begins with non-sexual relationships.

 

[deleted343839]

You don't generally focus so narrowly on the program as a whole. Rather, your goal is to identify specific faculty members whose interests that align with yours. For instance, many social psychology programs have faculty who are interested in dating and close relationships, but that isn't the sole focus of their program (nor should it be - doctoral training should be broad based so that you understand the fundamentals and the scientific foundations of the work you do).

Your hunch is correct that clinical psychologists who specialize in couple's work do tend to see people who are already coupled, and often in long-term committed relationships. Some work in more niche areas with specific populations who are at high risk of relational problems (eg, specializing in cross-cultural issues in couples, people with disabilities or medical conditions and their partners, blended families, etc.). Another angle would be to work with people who have certain conditions that make it more difficult to connect with potential partners (eg, high functioning autism, social phobia, etc.), which might be sort of related to what you described in your original post.

As for "normal" people who just have recurring problems with making relationships work... well, often there is a little more to it than dating skills.

 

[WisNeuro]

The applied science of human relationships is clinical psychology. We tend to refer to it as attachment theory and there is a wealth of research to be done.

Be careful with the "we" here. plenty of cognitive and behavioral theories of human relationships aside from attachment theory. Some of us think AT has over-interpreted beyond the data.

 

[smalltownpsych]

Be careful with the "we" here. plenty of cognitive and behavioral theories of human relationships aside from attachment theory. Some of us think AT has over-interpreted beyond the data.

I have seen that over interpretation occur in many aspects of psychology. I tend to focus more on the significance of early attachment experiences on the developing brain and especially in regards to affect regulation. The three or four attachment styles and the research in that area tends to bore me, probably because it is too reductionist or categorical to be that useful IMO. Of course, that type of oversimplification is just what a dating coach would be looking for. Another interesting. aspect of relationships is the repeating of relationship patterns whether due to schemas or internalized object relations. Also, the concepts of therapeutic rapport and how that affects many things including performance on testing is interesting to look into. Just trying to broaden the OPs perspective a bit.

 

[simplybaroque]

If you want to go into applied work, it sounds more like you want to be a coach instead of a counselor/psychologist? You could get something like the CRS designation (http://www.americanpsychotherapy.com/certifications/crs) from the American Psychotherapy Association and be done with it.

If you're interested in the science behind it, then you're probably looking for a PhD in Social Psychology. Of course, you can't get licensure as a psychologist in social psychology, but you could always get the PhD in Social Psych (with research in relationships) and then do a roundabout path to an LPC (some states will take the PhD in social psych as an adequate educational requirement). You won't be able to formally specialize in relationships, but you can work directly under a faculty member who does specific research in it. That's generally how one "specializes" during their doctorate.

 

[sam handwich]

Wow this certainly gave me a bit more perspective and information than I thought I would receive! I am still trying to take it all in and see what implications it may have for my potential future career. It seems that I may be more interested in a coaching role than a counseling one, but perhaps getting an advanced degree (even if this wasnt entirely necessary to have my job) would make me more effective as one, or at least more marketable. Or maybe all of that would be overkill for a coaching role and I best gather my knowledge independently as I do have research skills and a fair amount of experience on being able to identify scientifically sound findings.

I did not even know there was such a thing as a Certified Relationship Specialist! It could be right up my alley and I want to investigate it more when I have some time!

One pressing question I still have is, how do you locate professors who are doing research you are interested in? Is there a way to search for graduate school programs by research focus? If there are researchers who spend an earnest amount of time in this field, then I want to know how to find them/their program. I am generally interested in social psychology and could see myself possibly pursing an advanced degree in it, though would still need to determine my career options further before I delve into it.

 

[deleted343839]

I did not even know there was such a thing as a Certified Relationship Specialist! It could be right up my alley and I want to investigate it more when I have some time!

A lot of people will be happy to take your money to "certify" you in all manner of things. Few certifications come with any credibility in the professional world, though.

One pressing question I still have is, how do you locate professors who are doing research you are interested in? Is there a way to search for graduate school programs by research focus? If there are researchers who spend an earnest amount of time in this field, then I want to know how to find them/their program. I am generally interested in social psychology and could see myself possibly pursing an advanced degree in it, though would still need to determine my career options further before I delve into it.

Most career options in social psychology require a Ph.D. Look at social psychology journals, recent abstracts from social psychology conferences, etc. to get a sense of who is currently working and publishing in this area. Relationship science is not a rare or unusual field of study for social psychologists.

 

[simplybaroque]

I did not even know there was such a thing as a Certified Relationship Specialist! It could be right up my alley and I want to investigate it more when I have some time!

Plenty of "certifications" out there. For people who don't want to practice actual psychology/therapy, then it works for them. A lot of people just want someone to talk to and will be willing to pay your fees to get advice. That said, any kind of "certified specialist" designation is not license eligible. You can't become an LPC, LMFT, licensed psychologist, or anything.

Basically -- the designation is not official and should not be misconstrued for actual psychotherapy. That said, a lot of people just don't care (it's the equivalent of people going to a chiropractor when what they really need is actual physical therapy, or using prenatal yoga to cure pain instead of going to their ob/gyn to make sure it's nothing more serious...). If all you want to do is give dating advice, that would be the cheapest/quickest way to get there. Just know what you're getting into.