This paper explores the provocative question in the title through the authors' experiences of working within a couple psychotherapy service. In it we hope to chart how it became possible to undertake empirical research in a clinical setting. Underlying the question we found a number of others. For example, when and how does empirical research threaten or enhance couples' therapies? Is empirical research a toxic introject, an idealized object and/or a real cultural, developmental experience for a clinical service? The process of change described in this paper involved conflict and took time to develop. We hope to demonstrate that what was achieved was done without detriment to the quality of the service offered and was not at the expense of those who used it. Our view is that the careful engagement we describe is most likely to have had a beneficial impact on both.