An in-depth qualification blending advanced couples work with broader relational psychotherapy approaches. Ideal for those looking to work with complexity in a grounded, ethical way.
Postgraduate Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy
March 2026 - February 2027 | Online Training | 110 Hours IACP approved CPD Certificate
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Lively & Engaging Courses
At the Institute of Couples Therapy, we offer professional, practical training for therapists working with couples.
Whether you’re new to this work or seeking to deepen your skills, our range of programmes supports you at every stage of your journey.
Explore our IACP-accredited training options – including our Postgraduate Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy, the Professional Certificate in Relationship Therapy, CPD webinars, and eLearning.
More About
Training Options
Introduction to Couples Therapy
This one-day training offers a thoughtful overview of what makes couples work unique, what to consider before you begin, and how to understand the dynamics that show up when two people come into the room together. You’ll be introduced to a range of couples therapy models and see real examples of therapy in action.
Testimonials
What Fellow Therapists Say About ICT Training
Practical tools for couples therapy
Invaluable, even if you never plan to work with couples.
I recommend this course to every therapist I know.
Great quality teaching materials
Confidence to begin couples therapy
Structured and ethical approach
Warm, grounded, real teaching
Deeper insight into relationship dynamics
Safe and supportive learning environment
No-pressure, adult-to-adult learning space
Real-life examples and honest insight
Clear framework for working with couples
Blend of theory and practical application
A brilliant foundation for those starting out, and for those already working with couples.
Insightful, reflective, and deeply human
Valuable even for individual work
I now have the confidence to try couples counselling.
Encouraging, accessible, and relatable
Perfect for therapists at any stage
Karen’s style is honest, humble and wise
So much more than techniques—it’s a mindset
Structured guidance for first sessions
Ethics, safety, and clarity from the start
Challenging, inspiring, and full of heart
The Institute of Couples Therapy Training Approach
Resnicks Gestalt Approach
Developmental
Model
Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy
Salvador Minuchin’s Family Therapy
Murray Bowen’s family systems theory
David Schnarch’s differentiation
The Institute of Couples Therapy Training Approach
Resnicks Gestalt Approach
Developmental
Model
Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy
Salvador Minuchin’s Family Therapy
Murray Bowen’s family systems theory
David Schnarch’s differentiation
Founded by Karen Murphy
The Institute of Couples Therapy was founded in 2023 by Karen Murphy, a psychotherapist, supervisor, and experienced couples therapist.
Karen brings over 500 hours of specialist training in couples work, alongside a background in EMDR, adolescent psychotherapy, and family constellations.
Her vision is simple: to help therapists feel confident, supported, and equipped in their work with couples, and to ensure couples get the skilled support they deserve.
About ICT
Are you seeking couples therapy?
We also maintain a trusted directory of therapists trained through the Institute of Couples Therapy.
If you’re a couple seeking support, you can find experienced professionals we highly recommend.
View Directory
Institute of Couples Therapy Blog & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your trainings accredited?
Yes, all of our core trainings and webinars are officially accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).
Can I learn online or in person?
Yes — we offer flexible training options including live online workshops, on-demand webinars, and online & in-person training days.
Do I receive a certificate?
Absolutely. All of our courses and most of the webinars are IACP-approved. Upon completion, you’ll receive an IACP-approved CPD certificate for your professional development records.
Do I need experience working with couples to start?
No. Many therapists join us having little or no prior experience with couples. We’ll walk you through the foundations step-by-step, offering real-world frameworks and plenty of support.
What if I can’t attend a live webinar?
No problem. All webinars are recorded and sent out afterwards, so you won’t miss a thing.
Will this training help me feel more confident in the therapy room?
That’s exactly what we aim for. Therapists tell us they walk away with not just theory, but concrete tools, clearer direction, and a deeper sense of trust in themselves when working with couples.
How do I know which course is right for me?
You can explore our Training Overview page, or get in touch with us — we’re happy to chat and help you choose what’s right for your stage of practice.
What time zone are the trainings delivered in?
The training is delivered from Ireland and follows Irish time:
• Irish Standard Time (IST, UTC+01:00) during the summer months (begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October).
• Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00) during the winter months (begins on the last Sunday in October and runs until the last Sunday in March).
We encourage participants joining from outside Ireland to carefully check the session times in their local time zone before booking, to ensure the schedule is workable for them.
What level of English is required for this training?
This training is delivered live in English and is discussion-based, with space for questions, group reflection, and experiential learning. For this reason, participants need to be fluent enough in English to follow teaching, engage in discussion, and participate comfortably in live exercises.
What is the difference between the Postgraduate Diploma and the Professional Certificate Programme?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy and the Professional Certificate in Relationship Therapy both provide valuable training in relationship therapy, but they’re tailored for different levels of experience and depth.
Postgraduate Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy: This is our most in-depth programme, designed for experienced therapists who meet specific entry criteria, including a grounding in individual therapy and a minimum of two years post-qualification experience. The Diploma is ideal for those looking to specialise deeply in relationship therapy, covering advanced topics and practical skills to work with diverse relationship dynamics, including couples, families, and non-traditional partnerships. Following UK’s NCPS standards, this year-long programme offers a comprehensive foundation in relationship psychotherapy.
Professional Certificate in Relationship Therapy: The Certificate is a stepping stone into the field, perfect for therapists who want to get started in couples work. It covers essential theories and practical skills to confidently begin seeing couples in practice. Unlike the Diploma, the Certificate course does not have a strict experience requirement and is suited for those looking to build a foundational understanding of relationship therapy.
Both programmes are valuable, with the Certificate as an accessible start and the Diploma offering a deeper, more specialised pathway for those with experience.
If you have any questions or would like more guidance on which programme best aligns with your goals, please let us know via [email protected]
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