I built CoupleRef because I’m deeply concerned about what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a “crisis of loneliness and isolation.”
Despite being more digitally connected than ever, more than half of adults report feeling alone.I’ve felt it too — even within a relationship. It’s easier than ever to retreat into podcasts, work, or endless scrolling instead of doing the real work of strengthening our relationships.My wife and I have benefited from therapy, but it comes with tradeoffs. At one point, I realized that just five more sessions would cost more than a five-day trip to an all-inclusive resort — airfare included. I couldn’t help but think: why should anyone have to choose between investing in their relationship and creating joyful memories together?That question was the beginning of CoupleRef — an effort to make the benefits of therapy accessible to every couple, regardless of financial means.Over the past 15 years, I’ve built educational technology products that help people learn complex ideas through guided experiences. With CoupleRef, I wanted to apply that same approach to emotional education — teaching couples therapeutic concepts and tools so they can empower themselves.While shaping the concept, I spoke with a world-renowned psychologist who challenged me to go deeper into the research. He explained that great therapists aren’t improvising; they follow structured, evidence-based frameworks supported by validated psychological assessments.Those insights shaped the foundation of CoupleRef. Every experience begins with research-backed assessments that help uncover the emotional dynamics between you and your partner — how you each think, feel, and respond in moments of tension or closeness. From there, CoupleRef creates personalized learning experiences to help you understand each other better, communicate more effectively, and grow closer.In a time of increasing disconnection, I hope CoupleRef can be part of the antidote — helping people build and sustain healthy, fulfilling relationships.I’m not only the founder of CoupleRef — I’m also a daily user. We’re constantly improving based on feedback from couples like you. If something’s working well, or if there’s something we can do better, please reach out: [email protected]Daniel Fountenberrry
Founder, CoupleRef
Welcome to <CoupleRef>! Before using our AI-based therapy education tool, please take a few minutes to read these terms. We’ve written them in plain language so it’s clear what you can expect — and what we expect from you.
1 What <CoupleRef> Is (and Isn't):
- CoupleRef is an AI-powered educational tool designed to help you explore thoughts, emotions, and habits in a self-guided way.- It is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or healthcare provider.- CoupleRef does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.- If you’re in crisis or need professional help, please contact a qualified mental health professional or emergency services in your area.
2. Who can use CoupleRef:
You must:- Be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your area)- Use CoupleRef for personal, non-commercial purposes- Agree not to misuse or abuse the platform
3. Responsible Use:
- CoupleRef is here to support self-reflection and learning— not to replace therapy.- Don’t rely on it for decisions that could affect your health, safety, or well-being.- If anything you read or experience in the app causes distress, please take a break and seek professional support.
4.Intellectual Property:
- Everything you see in the app — the design, code, and content — belongs to CoupleRef or its creators.- You're welcome to use it, but you can’t copy, reverse engineer, resell, or distribute it without permission.
5. Limitation of Liability:
- We do our best to keep CoupleRef helpful, accessible, and safe — but we can’t guarantee perfection.- We are not liable for any decisions you make based on your interaction with BēMo.- We are not responsible for any damages, losses, or harm that may result from using the tool.- Use is at your own risk, and the service is provided "as is."
6.Change to These Tems:
- We may update these terms as CoupleRef evolves. If we do, we’ll post the changes here. Continuing to use CoupleRef means you accept the updated terms.
6.Contact Us:
- Have questions? Reach out any time at [email protected]
We take your privacy seriously. This page explains what data we collect, how we use it, and — most importantly — what we don’t do with it.
Our Privacy Promise:
Before we get into the details, here are our guiding principles:1. We don’t sell your data.2. We don’t use your personal information to target ads.3. We store only what’s necessary to make CoupleRef work well for you.4. You’re in control — you can request your data or delete your account anytime.
What we collect (and Why):
Depending on how you use CoupleRef, we may collect:- Basic info like your name or email (if you sign up or subscribe)- Conversation inputs (your messages to CoupleRef), used to generate responses and improve the experience- Device data (like browser type, IP address, or usage stats) to help us keep the platform secure and improve performanceWe do not collect any sensitive personal health information unless you choose to share it in conversation with the AI.
How We Use Your Data:
We use your data to:- Provide and improve the CoupleRef experience- Communicate with you (if you’ve opted in)- Maintain security and prevent abuse- We do not share your data with third-party advertisers.If we ever analyze usage data (e.g. to spot bugs or improve AI quality), we do so in anonymized or aggregated form.
Who Has Access to Your Data:
- The CoupleRef team and trusted service providers (like cloud storage or analytics platforms) — only when needed to run the app.- We never sell, rent, or trade your data.- We’ll only share information if legally required (e.g. court order or safety risk).
How Long We Keep It:
- If you create an account or interact with CoupleRef, we may keep the data as long as your account is active.- You can request deletion at any time — just contact us.- We regularly clean up unused or old data.
Your Rights:
- You have the right to:- Request a copy of your data- Ask us to correct or delete information- Withdraw your consent at any time- Just email us at [email protected] to make a request.
Is CoupleRef Secure:
- Yes — we use industry-standard encryption, secure hosting, and regular audits to protect your data.- However, no system is 100% secure. Please avoid entering private information like: full names, medical diagnoses financial data
Children's Privacy:
- CoupleRef is not intended for users under the age of 18. We don’t knowingly collect data from minors.
Changes to This Policy:
- We may update this policy as CoupleRef evolves. If we make major changes, we’ll let you know by posting a notice or emailing you (if you’ve subscribed).
Questions or Concerns:
- Email us any time at [email protected]. We’re real humans and we care about your privacy.