Struggling with connection?

We think we can help.

how do we align with traditional therapy?

Better Engagement
The product serves as a practical, gamified tool that complements the core tenets and practices of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT). By gamifying these therapeutic elements, Unspoken makes the process of relationship improvement more engaging, less daunting, and potentially more effective for couples across various stages of therapy.

Reduced Emotional Rejection
Coins allow couples to express needs and appreciation through a non-verbal yet tangible way that reduces the potential for emotional rejection. The act of giving and receiving coins is designed to symbolize intermediate acceptance of each other’s emotional frameworks, promoting an environment where emotional responses are acknowledged and respected without direct confrontation. This aligns with IBCT’s emphasis on emotional acceptance by providing a structured way to practice empathy and understanding.

Improved Communication
Through a written framework, Unspoken requires players to clarify and detail their needs within five prescribed domains of interaction. Players must then actively engage by reading and interpreting the specific activities their partner has articulated in each domain, ensuring a clear understanding before fulfilling a request. This approach mirrors IBCT’s emphasis on enhancing communication skills, offering a practical and engaging way for couples to develop active listening, mutual comprehension, and a meaningful connection.

Positive Reinforcement
Unspoken’s system of giving and receiving tokens for acts of service, recognition, and connection encourages positive behavioral changes. By rewarding positive interactions and addressing needs through gameplay, “Unspoken” helps in identifying and modifying detrimental behaviors while reinforcing beneficial ones. This is in line with IBCT’s approach to behavioral change, where small, consistent actions lead to significant improvements in relationship dynamics.

Breaking Negative Cycles
By using the game’s coins, players can bypass some of the verbal confrontations that often reinforce negative cycles. This structured approach helps shift focus away from conflict and toward positive exchanges and mutual support. By promoting constructive interaction, Unspoken provides a practical way to disrupt recurring patterns of argumentation or misunderstanding which is one of the core goals of IBCT.

Increased Emotional Intimacy
Engagement in a shared activity is proven to enhance emotional intimacy. The game’s design encourages mindfulness and presence with each other, akin to IBCT’s integration of mindfulness techniques. The act of playing together, understanding and meeting each other’s needs, and balancing small victories deepens a couple’s emotional connection.

Objective Accountability
In many relationships, partners unconsciously keep a mental tally of each other’s contributions, which can lead to misalignment, resentment, or feelings of imbalance when their needs differ. Unspoken addresses this by providing an external, objective way to track give-and-take dynamics, clearly displaying when each partner has met a real need. Aligned with Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) principles, this non-confrontational visual tool encourages the less active partner to contribute more while ensuring the more active partner feels recognized and valued.

Increased Self-Regulation
The system allows players time to reflect on their emotions before engagement, which supports the development of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. By providing a structured, low-stakes way to express needs and resolve feelings of neglect, the game helps prevent minor frustrations from escalating into full-blown arguments. This aligns with IBCT’s goal of helping couples regulate their emotional responses constructively.