The Bedfordshire Centre for Therapeutic Studies

Course Overview

This Award is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who are interested in working therapeutically with couples. It provides a solid foundation for those wishing to expand their practice into this area, as well as a valuable opportunity for practitioners already working with couples to deepen their understanding and enhance their skills.

The training integrates a wide range of theoretical and practical approaches, encouraging creative exploration and reflective practice. A key feature of the course is its experiential format, including triad work, which allows participants to experiment with different roles and techniques in a supportive environment—boosting both confidence and creativity in couples’ work.

Course Content

Induction

• • Overview of course structure, expectations and explanation of case study requirements. Fundamentals of couple’s work explored, role of the therapist in relational work, exploring Key differences between individual and couples therapy and the ethical considerations and boundary management. Developing an understanding of  assessing suitability and readiness for couple’s therapy

 Module 1: Core Theories and Approaches in Couples Work

• • Overview of leading theorists and modalities in couples counselling
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in relational contexts
  • The Gottman Method – research-based strategies for improving communication
  • Exploring diversity, difference, and power dynamics in relationships
  • Bowen Family Systems Theory – concepts of triangulation and differentiation

Module 2: Depth Work and Narrative Healing

• • Systemic approaches and embodied practice in couples work
  • IMAGO Therapy – healing childhood wounds in adult relationships
  • Attachment theory in relational dynamics
  • Psychodynamic approaches – unconscious patterns in couple conflict
  • Narrative Therapy – helping couples re-author dominant, limiting relationship stories

Module 3: Experiential and Creative Techniques

• • Creative and experiential methods in couples counselling:
    
    • Sand tray work
    • Art-based exploration
    • Use of genograms in relational mapping
    • Practical exercises for enhancing connection and understanding
  • Opportunities for skills practice and feedback
  • Planning for future practice: private work, supervision, or further training

• Written case study
• Peer feedback
• Group discussions