The goal of the SMU Couples Research Lab is to advance current understanding and treatment of relationship distress and associated problems. Specifically, we are interested in the couple relationships of people with psychological illnesses, how the relationship might affect the illness, and how the illness might affect the relationship. We are also interested in couples that experience mild-to-moderate relationship aggression, like occasional pushing or shoving, and how best to help such couples end aggression and improve their relationships. Currently, we are conducting studies of couples in which one partner has a severe mental illness, and working to reduce relationship violence among young couples.