Working with Couples: An Introduction to Theory and
Practice
About the course
This four-month course aims to provide
training for practitioners wishing to work as Relate couple
counsellors who have previous working experience and qualifications
in the field of counselling.
After successfully completing the programme
students will:
- Have an understanding of aspects of psychodynamic theory,
systemic theory and human sexuality, applicable to working with
couples
- Have developed additional counselling skills for working with
couples
- Have started working with couples at a Relate Centre.
The course takes place over three two-day
blocks and one three-day block (the second, three-day block
includes DVA Awareness and Safety training, after which the student
is expected to start work with clients). Each day begins at
9.30am and ends at 5pm. Students will also undertake a
placement at a Relate Centre comprising 40 hours of clinical
practice supervised within the centre. Of the 40 hours, 25
should be with both partners in the counselling room.
Course content
Themes
- Systemic and psychodynamic ideas relating to couple
counselling
- Human sexuality
- Ethical practice in an organisational setting
- An awareness of domestic violence and abuse
Teaching
The programme uses a variety of methods.
These include formal lectures, structured skills development and
practice, workshops and programme group meetings. As this
programme is a clinical programme, there is a strong emphasis on
practical and experiential work, including Personal and
Professional Development groups.
An essential aspect of the Relate Institute
approach to learning and teaching is the importance we place on
student feedback and evaluation. We try to incorporate
students’ ideas whenever practicable and appropriate within the
programme structure and philosophy.
Assessment
Assessment will be by two written assignments,
one of which will be practice based, and the other theory
based.
Students are required to adhere to the BACP
Ethical Framework.
Entry criteria
Prospective students must:
- Hold a counselling qualification at Diploma level or above
- Have completed a minimum of 50 hours of supervised counselling
practice
- Have access to a practice base in a Relate Centre or other
approved clinical setting
All successful applicants will be required to
have undergone a Criminal Records Bureau check at enhanced level
within the 12 months leading up to the start of the programme.
Applicants are strongly advised to ensure that
they have adequate word processing skills, IT skills and access to
the Internet before embarking on this course.
Interview criteria
Applicants will need to demonstrate personal
qualities relevant to therapeutic practice and training, which
include:
- Respect for and valuing of others, and their differences
- A commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
- A capacity to cope with the professional and academic demands
of the course
- A capacity to be reflexive and use experience and feedback
constructively
Quality
The course is continuously monitored for the
quality of its course content, teaching delivery, assessment and
course management according to the procedures of the Relate
Institute and the University Centre Doncaster.
Fees
The programme fees include all tuition and tutorials.
Clinical supervision may be included if the placement is in a
Relate Centre. If the placement is not in a Relate Centre
supervision will be the student’s responsibility. The fee
does not include the cost of accommodation, meals, or travel.
Students will also be expected to borrow or buy their own books,
journals and articles.
How to apply
Applications are welcome from all those who
are suitably qualified, regardless of racial or ethnic origins,
nationality, spiritual beliefs or religion, gender, age, economic
status, social background, sexual orientation or any disability or
medical condition.
Application deadline dates can be seen next to
the course dates.
Course information and guidance
For more information about the course refer to
the frequently asked questions (FAQs)
page.
For any Additional Support such as
disability, dyslexia, sign language support etc. please
contact Doncaster College's Additional
Learner Support Team if you are applying for a course run
at the High Melton campus.
For any further information please contact the
Programme Leader for this course, Michèle Logue on 01302 553 818 or
e-mail michele.logue@relateinstitute.ac.uk
Disclaimer: All courses are run subject to
numbers, and every effort is made to ensure the information on this
leaflet is correct. The Relate Institute reserves the right to
amend the contents as deemed necessary. For more information
please to our Terms and Conditions.