Restoring Connections Research and Practice Lab

The purpose of the Lab is to investigate processes of intimate human connection using the lens of attachment theory and the research methodology of critical participatory action. The major focus is the manner in which human beings form, repair, and maintain secure relationships in couples, families, and in social networks.

The Lab provides clinical practice and training in attachment-based methods for working with couples, families, and child/parent relationships for master’s-level students in the Graduate Counseling program.

Additional information on Conectere

Research Initiatives

Initiative #1: Transformative Couples Therapy®

A research study in collaboration with James Madison University's Graduate Department of Psychology and the Transformative Couples Therapy Institute to study the effectiveness of Transformative Couples Therapy® with field therapists across the country.
Initiative #2: Faith Development in Families

A research study to investigate the manner in which faith development in families is associated with parent/child attachment. We collaborate with the Seminary at EMU, Yale Divinity School, and the CONNECT program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Initiative #3: Fostering Forever Families

A community and peacebuilding initiative focusing on the manner in which caregivers can collaborate as allofamilies to meet the developmental needs of high-risk children in the foster care system.