Advanced Diploma - Introduction into Couple Counselling

About the course

This one-year programme, in collaboration with the University of Hull, aims to provide an introductory training for people wishing to work as couple counsellors with Relate or other couple counselling organisations and who have no previous working experience in the field of counselling. It also provides a relatively short specialist training in couple counselling for other suitably qualified counsellors who wish to develop their work in their current employment or private practice.

After successfully completing the programme students will:

• Have a basic grounding in aspects of psychodynamic theory, systemic theory and human sexuality which are applicable to working with couples
• Have developed basic counselling and communication skills that are needed when working with couples
• Have started working with clients at a Relate Centre or in another placement agency
• Have potential access to further advanced training at Masters level with the Relate Institute (via University Centre Doncaster) in Relationship Therapy, Psychosexual Therapy and Clinical Supervision, which will assist in providing the means to achieve accreditation with the relevant professional body depending on which training is undertaken.

The taught element of the programme takes place over 10 two-day blocks. Each day begins at 9.30am and ends at 5pm. Students will also undertake a placement, normally at a Relate Centre, of 50 hours of supervised clinical practice, of which a minimum of 35 hours should be with both of the couple in the counselling room.

In addition to the taught programme, students will be required to attent a single day's event from the Relate programme of Continuing Professional Development days (CPD), or relevent external events. These are paid for separately.

Course content
Modular structure

Module 1: A systemic approach to couple counselling (20 level 6 credits).

This module is designed to:

• Provide the basic systemic knowledge and skills that are required before beginning to work with clients with relationship difficulties
• Link systemic theory and practice as it applies to working with clients with relationship difficulties, including sexual difficulties

Module 2: A psychodynamic approach to couple counselling (20 level 6 credits).

This module is designed to:

• Provide the basic psychodynamic knowledge and skills that are required before beginning to work with clients with relationship difficulties
• Link psychodynamic theory and practice as it applies to working with clients with relationship difficulties, including sexual difficulties

Module 3: Clinical placement and practice issues (20 level 6 credits).

This module provides the clinical placement opportunity for students to transfer their learning into a practice context with clients. Attention is paid to establishing a professional working relationship with the clinical supervisor and to working ethically in accordance with professional ethical frameworks. The module also provides an opportunity to extend and develop understanding of how to work safely with clients who present specific and complex difficulties e.g. domestic violence and abuse.

Themes

• Systemic and psychodynamic ideas relating to couple counselling
• Human sexuality
• Supervision
• Ethical practice in an organisational setting
• An awareness of domestic violence/abuse
• Mental health issues
• An awareness of the impact of childhood sexual 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 experimental 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 is by written assignments that are designed to assess students' theoretical understanding and competence.

There is an annual supervisor's report and students will be required to submit a Professional Portfolio.

Students are required to adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework.

Entry criteria

Prospective students must have:

• A counselling skills qualification at level 2 or 3, or similar suitable counselling skills training
• Evidence of academic qualification at level 3 or equivalent
• Access to a practice base in a Relate Centre or other approved clinical setting

Interview criteria

Applicants 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 validated and continuously monitored for the quality of its course content, teaching delivery, assessment and course management according to the procedures of the Relate Institute, University Centre Doncaster and the University of Hull.

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.