Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy

How can counselling help couples build stronger, longer-lasting relationships? How can it support couples in distress? And how can we better understand intimate relationships in our personal lives?

Systemic therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that examines and addresses the interrelationships and dynamics within a family or social system to facilitate positive change and understanding. In this introductory course, you will learn about the core concepts, theories and skills used in Systemic Family Therapy for couples.

Systemic therapy is rooted in the belief that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation; rather, they are best comprehended within the context of their relationships and the larger systems they are a part of. The core theory of systemic therapy emphasises that issues in a couple’s relationship are often a result of broader systemic factors and communication patterns. It encourages a holistic view of the relationship, exploring how each partner’s actions and reactions impact the other and how family and societal dynamics contribute to their challenges.

Systemic therapy seeks to promote healthier communication, address destructive patterns, and create positive change by involving all parties in the counselling process. This approach can lead to a deeper understanding of the interconnections within the relationship, ultimately fostering more effective problem-solving and improved overall dynamics.

Throughout the course, you will delve into the theoretical foundations, practical techniques, and underlying principles of couples counselling. You will learn:

• Gain a deep understanding of the foundations of couples counselling, its origins, and the core factors that contribute to successful relationships.

• Explore relationship theories and the systemic nature of partnerships, delving into the dynamics that underlie couples’ interactions and behaviours.

• Understand essential counselling skills, including active listening, building therapeutic alliances, and maintaining confidentiality in a couples counselling context.

• Learn about the practical aspects of conducting couples counselling, from initial assessments to understanding the presenting problems and formulating effective therapeutic strategies.

• Understand therapeutic techniques, including neutrality, circular questioning, reframing, and more, to address various challenges in couples counselling effectively.

• Discover how to navigate complex issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, and separation and divorce within couples counselling.

• Explore the sensitive topic of sex within relationships and develop the skills to facilitate open and constructive discussions about this crucial aspect of partnership.

• Understand the profound impact of culture on counselling, gaining cultural competencies to engage with diverse couples effectively.

• Learn how to create and interpret genograms, a visual tool that provides insight into family histories and relationships, enhancing your assessment and therapeutic capabilities.

While a background in counselling, such as person-centred, may be useful, we will cover core counselling skills in this course, so no background in counselling is required.

Who isn’t this course for:

• We take a wide and inclusive view of relationships, including the LGBT community, so anyone with a highly traditional view of marriage may not be comfortable with the course material

• This course will not focus on sexual dysfunction, so if you are looking to support couples who are having sexual-specific problems, other courses may be better suited.

The course comes with a comprehensive handbook so that you will have everything you need to deliver couples counselling. On completing the course, you will earn a certificate accredited by the International Association of Therapists.