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Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is rich, challenging, and deeply meaningful work.
This short professional couples therapy course is your starting point, equipping you with core skills, a relational framework, and the practical guidance to begin working with couples in a safe and supported way. Learn how to hold two-person dynamics, navigate conflict, and build confidence in the room.

Booking Options

What You’ll Learn in This Couples Therapy Course

By the end of this core training – couples therapy course, you’ll feel ready to start working with couples in your practice. The course brings together key theories and practical guidance to help you feel more confident when sitting with two people in the room. You’ll be introduced to techniques that support you in getting started, with a strong focus on learning through real examples – including video demonstrations and role plays. This approach helps you build confidence, creativity, and a felt sense of how couples therapy actually works, especially with couples facing long-standing or emotionally complex issues.

The training includes four full days and two evening workshops. With a small group (maximum 15), the experience is designed to be focused, supportive, and personal. The course is led by Karen Murphy and is approved by the IACP for 26 CPD hours.

vIACP CPD Approved for Institute of Couples Therapy Course

Who Is This Couples Therapy Course For?

To be eligible to attend this Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy course, you must be a graduate of a psychotherapy or psychology training. You must be either accredited or pre-accredited by a recognised psychotherapy accrediting body, or alternatively, a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Student therapists are welcome to attend the Introduction to Couples Therapy days.

Institute of Couples Therapy
Upcoming Courses

Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy

10th/24th October 2025
14th/28th November 2025

Plus 2 workshops
28th October 2025 7-9pm
18th November 2025 7-9pm

Book a place

Course Curriculum For Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy

  • Introduction to main models of couples therapy
  • Overview of Integrative approach
  • Causes of difficulties in relationships
  • Individual V Couples Work
  • Cornerstones of couples therapy
  • Differentiation
  • Presenting Issues
  • Vulnerability Cycle
  • The Role of the couples therapist
  • The search for understanding
  • Assessment tools
  • Communication skills
  • First Sessions
  • Structuring sessions
  • Ethical considerations
  • Integrating the work of couples therapy
  • Individual sessions
  • Online therapy
  • Family of origin work
  • Work with Affairs
  • Sexual issues
  • Creative approaches with couples
  • Difficult presentations
FAQ

What You Will Gain

  • Confidence to begin working with couples in a safe, ethical, and well-structured therapeutic process
  • Practical techniques for managing conflict, emotional intensity, and relational dynamics in couples therapy
  • A solid foundation in leading couples therapy models, including integrative, developmental, and systemic approaches
  • Personalised support through experiential training—role plays, video demonstrations, and case-based learning
  • Deeper insight into relationship patterns and dynamics—valuable for both couples and individual therapy work
  • 26 CPD Hours of IACP Approved Certificate, meeting professional development standards
  • Free one-year listing on the ICT Therapist Directory to support your visibility and clinical practice

The Institute of Couples Therapy Training Approach

The Institute of Couples Therapy offers an integrative approach drawing on Gestalt relational approaches (including the Resnicks), the Developmental Model, Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy, Salvador Minuchin’s Family Therapy, Murray Bowen’s Family System’s Theory and David Schnarch’s Differentiation Model. It is built on the four cornerstones of Relationship, Respect, Authenticity and Curiosity. 

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cancellation policy of the Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy?

Cancellation up to fours weeks before the start of the course will incur a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellation within four weeks of the start of the course is non refundable.

How long does the training take?

The training takes place over 4 days plus two evening workshops. The evening workshops are included starting from Autumn 2024. 

Do I have to work with couples already to do this training?

No. By the end of this training you will be confident to start working with couples in your practice. This training will guide you through the theories of working with couples and the practicalities of working in relationship therapy. It will support you in starting with couples with techniques to guide you.

Is this training suitable if I already am working with couples?

Yes. Approximately a third of people who take this training have already started working in couples therapy. This training will be a valuable addition to enhance your work and bring in new skills and approaches to your current work.

I don’t want to work with couples, will this training be helpful to me?

Yes. The Institute of Couples Therapy training will give you a deeper insight into relationships and couples dynamics which will be of significant benefit in your individual client work.

Do I need to be accredited to join the Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy?

Yes. You must be fully accredited or have completed your core training and be in the process of applying for accreditation.

Will I be able to work with couples after completing the Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy Course?

Yes, this four-day certificate is designed to equip you with the foundational skills needed to begin working with couples. You will be resourced to start seeing your first couples following the training.

However, as couples therapy is a complex and demanding area of practice, we strongly encourage ongoing professional development. This might include:

  • Supervision specifically focused on your couples work
  • Continued learning through webinars and specialised training
  • Reading widely in the field of couples therapy
  • Engaging in peer support groups
  • Listening to relevant podcasts

Staying resourced and supported is key to developing confidence and competence in this work.

What about the Terms & Conditions?

To learn more about our Terms & Conditions, please follow this link.

Testimonials

”I attended face to face couples training with Karen earlier this year and was introduced to wide range of information and supports. There was great interaction and discussion in the group and I found the role plays really good. The role of therapist can be quite isolating at times but to know there is access to a support network available to me is really encouraging.

Deirdre O ReardonCork

”I found this training excellent, very informative, with lots of practical tools and great resources. Karen was approachable and willing to provide any further information as needed, I would certainly attend further training with Karen.

Liz HughesCork

”I would highly recommend the Training Course on Couples Therapy with Karen.
Karen was very generous in her facilitation of the course. She shared not only the theory but also her experiences of working with clients both the positive and negative aspects of the work. I liked how Karen gave practical examples in different situations working with couples. The recommended readings, handouts, videos etc. were excellent. The course was an excellent preparation for starting couples therapy. This was a professionally run course by a very committed therapist.

Brid MurphyCork

”This course is invaluable in bridging the gap between individual psychotherapy work and couples therapy work. The training lead us through several couples’ therapy models and we were given a clear structure to support work with couples. Thank you Karen for your knowledge, generosity, and authenticity.

Liz WrightDublin

”Karen has a fantastic ability to impart her knowledge around couples therapy in such a clear and transformative way. The four day training was very much geared to providing very useful tools and structures into your practice with couples work, regardless of your own experience in this area. The added bonus of multiple resources, future training, networking opportunities and supervision options is also invaluable.

Maria GleesonTipperary

”After taking this course, Karen helped me see how much richer working with couples can be when you pull from different therapy models. I thought I was giving my best to my couples work, and am now realising I have greater resources to draw on and more variety on how to deepen the work. One of my biggest takeaways is the network of other couples therapists to call on for peer support and referrals when I need them. Karen, I really appreciated your open, honest, relaxed manner and the care and thought that you put into the course.

Muuka GwabaDublin

”For me, this was one of the most enjoyable and engrossing courses I've attended. Over the 4 course days, Karen managed to bring us from introduction and overview to a position where seeing couples genuinely feels like a realistic prospect. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who would like to equip themselves to start seeing couples, or even just for an additional perspective on dynamics in relationships to bring to their individual work.

Aine WoodsDublin

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

Ready to book onto the Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy?

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