Professional Certificate in Couples Counselling
LEVEL
Professional Development
AWARD
PCI College Professional Certificate in Couples Counselling
COURSE STATUS
Closed for Applications
DURATION
5
day(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
TBD
LOCATIONS
Online
Couples counselling is one of the most demanding yet rewarding disciplines in the therapeutic field. It requires a specialised ability to hold the space for two distinct individuals while simultaneously navigating the complex, often volatile dynamics of the relationship itself.
This comprehensive PCI College professional certificate provides the essential theoretical framework and practical toolkit needed to move from individual therapy to the systemic complexities of couples work. By participating, you will develop the clinical confidence to de-escalate conflict, foster deeper intimacy, and help couples navigate the most critical turning points in their shared journey.Â
DATE
- Saturday March 7th
- Sunday March 8th
- Saturday April 25th
- Sunday April 26th
- Sunday May 17th
From 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Online
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Record of 15 hours of supervised client work in the area of Couples Counselling.
- Record of 3 sessions with a supervisor.
- Poster Presentation
Please note that when carrying out the 15 hours of supervised client work required to complete the course, students on the Professional Certificate in Couples Counselling must ensure that at least 30% of their work with clients is with couples, while the remainder can be with individuals on a one-to-one basis.
Who is this course for?
This programme is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to expand their practice and develop expertise in working with couples.Â
- Counsellors & Psychotherapists:Â Transition your practice from individual work to include systemic, relationship-focused interventions.Â
- Relationship Specialists:Â Deepen your technical knowledge and ethical framework for managing high-conflict or complex relational cases.Â
- Advanced Students:Â For those in the final stages of professional training who wish to build a specialised foundation for their future career.Â
- Existing Practitioners:Â Gain fresh perspectives on attachment-based and systemic approaches to revitalise your work with couples.Â
What are the benefits of doing this course?
This programme moves beyond theory, providing the robust clinical foundation necessary to maintain your own balance while holding the intensity of a couples session.Â
- Clinical Mastery: Learn to facilitate effective dialogue in high-conflict situations, preventing the therapist from becoming a “referee.”Â
- Systemic Insight:Â Develop the ability to view the relationship as the client, moving past the blame-game to address underlying patterns.Â
- Professional Sustainability: Acquire strategies to manage the unique emotional demands and countertransference risks inherent in couples work.Â
- Expanded Practice:Â Increase your professional versatility, making you better equipped to support a broader range of client needs.Â
What will you learn?
The curriculum is designed to be highly practical, blending current relationship research with intensive, experiential practice.Â
- Systemic & Attachment Theory:Â Understanding the role of early attachment styles in adult relationship choices and conflict patterns.Â
- Conflict Resolution:Â Practical strategies for de-escalation, communication training, and navigating impasses in the therapy room.Â
- Intimacy & Connection:Â Addressing the “forgotten” aspects of relationships, including emotional and physical intimacy, trust, and betrayal.Â
- Ethics & Boundaries: Navigating the complex ethical terrain of couples work, including secrets, infidelity, and the risk of taking sides.Â
- Live Skills Practice: Supervised small-group work where you will practice interventions, receive peer feedback, and refine your “therapist presence.”Â
Day 1 – Introduction to Couples Counselling
- Working with couples vs individuals
- Contracting
- Introduction to the family of origin
- Attachment influences – Bowen, Mahler
Day 2 – Family Dynamics
- Bowen’s Family Systems Theory
- Satir’s Family Roles
- Kappman’s Drama Triangle
- The Genogram
- Skills practice
Day 3 – Communication & Emotional Connections
- Satir’s Empathic & Honest Interactions
- Bowen’s Individual Behaviour in Relationships
- Genograms
- Role Play Exercise
Day 4 – Sexuality
- Sexuality in couples work
- Sexual scripts
- Working with same-sex couples
- Sexual dysfunctions in couples work
- Skills practice
Day 5 – Integration/Assessment Day
- Integration session
- Poster presentations
Eligibility
Qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training (those who have begun seeing clients). Entry is by an application form.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or equivalent, on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Students must have access to clients on a daily basis to be able to meet the requirement of 15 hours of counselling using the couples, family members and relationship issues tools learnt during this course.
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Northern Ireland
Course Total