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Live Webinar | Half Day Training
Introduction to Couples Therapy
with Karen Murphy
Saturday, 12th September 2026
9.30 am – 1.30 pm (Irish Time)
Live and Recorded
4 CPD Hours
€49
A Practical Introduction to Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is not simply individual therapy with two people in the room.
It asks something different of us as therapists…a different stance, a different pace, and a different way of understanding what is happening between two people.
Many therapists already meet relationship pain in their individual work. Clients speak about partners, conflict, distance, affairs, parenting, intimacy, culture, family dynamics, and feeling stuck. But when both partners are in the room, the work changes. The relationship dynamic becomes live. You are no longer just hearing about the pattern — you are often witnessing it unfold in front of you.
This 4-hour training is a warm, accessible introduction for therapists who are curious about couples work, but not quite sure where to begin.
Across the training, Karen Murphy will help you understand what couples therapy is, how it differs from individual work, and what it means to think relationally. You’ll be introduced to key frameworks, common presenting issues, assessment considerations, ethical boundaries, and the therapist’s role in holding two people and the relationship between them.
This is a supportive, low-pressure space to explore whether couples therapy is an area you would like to move into.
What You’ll Gain from This Training
Couples therapy can be deeply meaningful work, but it can also feel exposing and intense — for clients and for therapists.
Couples often come in when things feel urgent: conflict has escalated, intimacy has disappeared, trust has been broken, or they are unsure whether the relationship can continue.
In these moments, the therapist needs more than good listening skills. We need a clear frame for understanding the relationship process.
One of the key ideas explored in this training is:
The problem is often not just the issue itself, but the way the couple tries to solve it.
This training will help you begin to recognise the patterns, coping strategies, blind spots, and relational dynamics that keep couples stuck.
What You’ll Gain from This Training
Topics Covered
- What couples therapy is — and how it differs from individual therapy
- Key models and integrative approaches in couples work
- How relationship difficulties develop and become self-sustaining
- The role of difference, differentiation, and emotional regulation
- Common presenting issues in relationship therapy
- Therapist stance, neutrality, leadership, and working alliance
- Assessment, informed consent, and ethical considerations
- Navigating difficult or high-conflict presentations
- How to begin thinking relationally when both partners are in the room
Who It's For
This training is ideal for:
- Therapists curious about adding couples work to their practice
- Individual therapists who regularly hear relationship issues in the therapy room
- Trainee or newly qualified therapists exploring possible areas of specialism
- Experienced practitioners who want a grounded introduction to relationship therapy
- Therapists who want a low-pressure way to explore whether couples work is right for them
Available to Watch Live and/or Recorded
4 CPD hours by the Institute of Couples Therapy
€49.00Add to basket
”In couples therapy, you’re not working with two individuals—you’re working with the relationship between them.
Karen Murphy
Karen Murphy
Karen founded the Institute of Couples Therapy driven by her passion and commitment to this field. She dedicates herself to finding the most effective and relational ways to help couples find routes out of their difficulties. She has over a decades experience as a psychotherapist and is also an accredited supervisor.
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
Introduction to Couples Therapy
Half Day Training on Zoom
12th September 2026
9.30 am – 1.30 pm
€49
Gain Access to
- 4 CPD Points
- Watch live and bring your questions
- Recorded to view in your own time
- Suitable for both trainees and experienced therapists
- Demystification of the process of Couples Therapy
- Exploration of the challenges of this work
- Interactive with space for questions
Who is this training suitable for?
This training is ideal for both trainee and qualified therapists who are curious about working with couples or want a better understanding of how couples therapy differs from individual work.
Do I need to have prior experience with couples therapy to attend?
Not at all. This workshop is designed as an introduction, so no prior experience is needed. It’s a supportive starting point for exploring whether couples work is right for you.
What makes couples therapy different from individual therapy?
In couples therapy, the focus is not only on each individual, but on the dynamic between them. This means the therapist is working with interaction patterns, conflict cycles, communication, emotional safety, and the relationship itself.
Will I receive a CPD certificate for attending?
Yes. This training qualifies for 4 CPD hours and is awarded by the Institute of Couples Therapy. You’ll receive a certificate after attending the live session or watching the full recording.
Will this training qualify me to work with couples?
This is an introductory training, so it is designed to give you a clear foundation and help you decide whether couples therapy is an area you want to explore further. Therapists who wish to begin practising couples therapy may want to continue with more in-depth training and supervision. We also offer a 5-day Professional Certificate in Relationship Therapy training.
Is this training interactive?
Yes. The training includes space for questions, reflection, and discussion. It is designed to be accessible and practical, with examples that help bring the work of couples therapy to life.
Will the recording be available if I cannot attend live?
Yes. The training is live and recorded, so you will be able to access the recording afterwards if you cannot attend on the day or would like to revisit the material.
CPD Accreditation
This training qualifies for 4 CPD hours and is awarded by the Institute of Couples Therapy.
Want to Explore More?
Check out our Couples Therapy CPD Hub for more live and recorded training options.
Ready to Start Your Couples Therapy Journey?
If you’ve been unsure about couples work or want to understand the fundamentals before diving in, this introduction to couples therapy will give you the clarity, structure, and confidence to take the next step.
€49.00Add to basket
