Professional Certificate in Couples Counselling

Course details

The initial of the Professional Certificate includes an overview of the theories underpinning couples counselling including the work of John Gotteman. Therapeutic interventions will be introduced and practised including role plays.

Objective

Relevant theories will be revised and revisited.

Participants will be introduced to counselling with couples and become familiar with the similarities and differences between couples counselling and individual counselling.

Working with gay and lesbian couples will also be introduced.

Family dynamics

Family dynamics - will focus on family systems including the work of Murray Bowen and Virginia Satir. Participants will be introduced to the genogram.

Objectives

Participants will become aware of the importance of family of origin in couples counselling.

Become aware of the importance of being familiar with family values and mottos.

Become familiar with triangulation and mapping within families.

Sexuality

Participants will be made aware of the importance of being comfortable talking about sexuality in couples counselling. Need to understand own sexual script otherwise the area of sexuality within couples counselling will not get adequate attention.

Objectives

To be able to normalise and validate couples around sexuality.

To be more comfortable talking about sexuality with the couple.

Become aware of primary and secondary sexual dysfunctions.

Integration

The integration day takes place in a relaxed atmosphere where participants are given the opportunity to outline and describe how they have integrated the learning from the workshops outlined above and applied them to their practice. Each member in the group will have an opportunity to talk about their experience.

• Understanding and prioritising main presenting problems
• Understanding of the maintenance of presenting problems
• Able to outline interventions used

Participants will be expected to submit relevant documentation of 15 hours supervised clinical work.

In this couples counselling course, you will learn to observe, assess, evaluate, and formulate treatment using the couples environmental influencers as well as their thoughts, moods and emotions, and behaviour. The approaches presented are usable, up-to-date and strongly evidence-based.

Qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience. Students currently in training will be considered, on the understanding that the Couples Counselling Certificate qualification cannot be used until they have qualified. Entry is by application form.