Couples who’ve considered counselling to improve their relationship are being encouraged to join a UNSW study testing whether a so-called "love hormone" can help relationships by boosting empathy and communication.

Beginning this month, the free trial involves five assessment and counselling sessions by psychologists at the UNSW School of Psychology. The clinic is running assessment trials for heterosexual couples who’ve been together for at least two years and feel they need some help to improve the quality of their relationship.

Eligible couples will receive four therapy sessions involving assessment and specific suggestions on how they can enhance their relationship. A final assessment is then conducted six weeks later.

Half of the couples in the trial will receive Oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone known to enhance sexual pleasure, assist childbirth and promote milk production during breastfeeding. The hormone is released by the brain’s pituitary gland in response to physical contact such as hugging and being massaged.

Participants would receive the hormone in the form of a nasal spray, according to Dr Adam Guastella, a clinical psychologist who will lead the novel study.

"We will be testing whether oxytocin influences the counselling process by assisting couples to improve their communication and empathy skills in the therapy room," says Dr Guastella.

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