Certificate in working with couples

Certificate in Working with Couples

Course Director: Anna Palin-Swift MA, BSc (Dual Honours)
Location: Online via Zoom
Fee: £895
Early Bird: £795 (book by December 5th)
Group size: Maximum 15 participants

About the Course

This intensive professional development programme is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to extend their work to include couples and relationships.

Grounded in psychodynamic and systemic approaches, the training combines theory, skills practice, and reflective discussion to equip you with the confidence and competence to begin working with couples.

Taught by two highly experienced trainers with over 45 years’ combined experience in couple therapy and supervision, the course offers an interactive and experiential learning experience in a small-group environment.

Who the Course Is For

This course is suitable for counsellors, psychotherapists, or practitioners who already have experience of one-to-one work and wish to develop an understanding of the couple dynamic — the conscious and unconscious interactions between partners — and how to work with them therapeutically.

Course Structure

The training is delivered over three two-day modules, held monthly on Fridays and Saturdays via Zoom.
You’ll learn through:

• Trainer-led theory sessions

• Group discussion and case exploration

• Small group work

• Skills practice and role play

Aims of the Course

To provide an accessible, practice-based training for experienced counsellors who want to extend their clinical work to couples and relationships.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand key concepts from psychodynamic and systemic theory, and their application to couple work.

• Deepen your awareness of attachment and object relations in adult relationships.

• Develop enhanced counselling skills for managing couple dynamics and communication.

• Have begun working with couples in practice with greater confidence.

Course Content

Module 1 — Foundations of Couple Work

• Understanding the couple dynamic

• Systemic theory and relational patterns

• Genograms as a therapeutic tool

• The concept of “couple fit”

Module 2 — Depth and Dynamics

• Object relations and attachment in adult relationships

• Couple collusions and communication

• Managing conflict and working with affairs

Module 3 — Complexities in Couple Work

• Blended families, separation, and domestic abuse

• Working with split agendas and ethical dilemmas

• Integrating theory and practice

Investment

• Full Fee: £895

• Early Bird Fee: £795 (book by 5/12/25)

• Includes all course materials

Ongoing Support — Graduate Peer Supervision Groups

To support our graduates as they begin applying their learning in practice, we offer access to monthly online facilitated supervision groups run by our senior training team.

These small, reflective groups (up to 10 participants) provide a safe space to discuss cases, share insights, and deepen your understanding of couple and relationship dynamics.

Exclusive Graduate Offer:
First-year discount for course graduates — £200 yearly subscriptions (usually £300) or the option of monthly installments
10 sessions available each year
Join one session per month at times that suit you

You’ll be able to register your interest once you’ve completed your training — or let us know now if you’d like to be notified when booking opens.