Diploma in Transpersonal Couple Counselling & Psychotherapy

Certificate in
Transpersonal Couple Counselling & Psychotherapy

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Introduction
Course Aims
Course Content
Entry Requirements
Certificate Requirements
Diploma Requirements
Fees and Dates
Training Staff

introduction

CCPE is offering a Certificate and Diploma in Transpersonal Couples Counselling. It is aimed at counsellors/therapists who hold an accredited post-graduate qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy or Psychology and are interested in working with couples from a Transpersonal Perspective.

course aims

This course provides an integrative training that addresses the main theories that inform couples work e.g. Psychodynamic, Systemic and Cognitive approaches delivered, and integrated, under the 'umbrella' of the Transpersonal perspective. This course also provides an opportunity to develop the skills that enable therapists to work creatively with couples facing the challenges of being in a relationship.

In particular it aims to provide:

• An initial certificate course consisting of six weekends at monthly intervals from January to June 2012 with three additional weekends for students completing the diploma, also at monthly intervals from September to November 2012.
• A thorough understanding of a transpersonal approach to couple therapy.
• A thorough grounding in the main theories relevant to couple therapy as stated above.
• An understanding and practice of the skills necessary to manage the challenges of working with couples, from initial assessment through to endings.
• An opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of their own relational patterns through experiential work and feedback.
• An opportunity (where possible) to work with couples at a low cost referred by our clinic at CCPE.
• Small group practice sessions followed by supervision in small groups facilitated by one or both of the tutors.

course content

The first two weekends focus on the psychological and spiritual function of relationship. Theories of Attraction, Attachment and a Systems approach will be introduced and explored in relation to the Transpersonal Self. At the end of these weekends participants will also have learned some of the basic skills to begin working with couples.

Module 1: Introduction to Couple Therapy

Day One

1. Introductions and course Overview.
2. Exploration of the stages of relationship.
3. An Introduction to a Transpersonal Model of Couple Therapy.

Day Two

1. Relationship as container for Psychological Growth.
2. Attachment Styles in Relationships.
3. Practicalities: assessment, history taking, contracting etc.
4. Skills practice: Managing the first session and circular questioning.

Module 2:  Systems and Developmental Theories

Day Three – Systemic Practice

1. An overview of Family Systems Theory and its application to couples work.
2. Introduction to and application of Genograms to couples work.
3. Skills practice: using genograms with couples

Day Four – Developmental Processes

1. Early Object-Relations and its relevance to couples relationships.
2. Symbiosis and the Individuation Process.
3. Skills practice.

The middle two weekends will focus on the purpose and meaning of conflict in relationship and symptomatic problems such as infidelity, circular arguments, violence and the contextual world of the couple in which these take place.
           
Module 3: Polarisation and Conflict

Day Five

1. The Power Struggle - as manifested through sex, affairs and violence in relationships.
2. Working with conflict, confrontation and conflict resolution in Couple Therapy.
3. The Tension of Opposites and the Transcendent Function.
4. Skills practice.

Day Six

1. Introduction to Sexual Dysfunction in Couple Therapy.
2. Couple Therapy with a Sexual Focus.
3. Skills practice/group supervision.

Module 4: Couples in Context

Day Seven – Difference and Diversity

1. An exploration of the impact of sociological and cultural context in couple relationships.
2. An exploration of ‘difference’ – ethnicity, gender, sexuality etc.
3. The wounded healer - exploration of assumptions, prejudices, stereotyping, and bias in the therapy room.
4. Skills practice.

Day Eight – Deeply Wounded Couples

1. An exploration of Psychopathology and Psychospiritual crisis in Couples, including assessment and onward referral.
2. Skills Practice and group supervision.

Module 5: Observed Skills Practice

Days nine and ten will focus on observed skills practice. Students will facilitate a live session with a ‘couple’ (role-played by fellow students) and receive written feedback from the tutors and peers. (This weekend has proven to be a very rich and affirming experience.)

Module 6: Cycle of Life, Death and Re-birth in Relationships

This weekend focuses on the psychospiritual development of relationships through an Alchemical lens. It will address the concept of co-creation, loss and grief, deepening empathy and reviving passion.

Day Eleven

1. An Overview of the Alchemical Process in Relationships
2. Confronting the Shadow of the Relationship –Nigredo
3. Processing Loss and Grief – Mortificatio
4. Skills practice

Day Twelve

1. Reviving the Spark – Solutio
2. Strengthening the Relationship – Coagulatio
3. Freeing the Soul of the Relationship - Coniunctio
4. Managing Endings in Couple Therapy
5. Group supervision and Ending the Certificate Training

diploma students only

Module 7:

Day one  focuses on biology and the psychosexual couple, the interface between biology, neuropsychology and the transpersonal in couple dynamics with skills practice.
Day two  focuses on presentation of written projects and group supervision.

Module 8:

Day one explores more deeply the importance of sex, sexual dysfunction, and psychosexual therapy with skills practice.
Day two will focus on presentation of written projects and group supervision.

Module 9:

Day one  explores the uses of creative imagination and how the couple therapist can extend the repertoire of imaginative and creative exercises in the therapy room, and for the couple in their daily life with skills practice. 
Day two  will focus on presentation of written projects and endings.

entry requirements

You must:

• Have an accredited PG Diploma in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy;
• Have or be eligible for professional accreditation and/or registration with the BACP, UKCP or BPS;
• Have a minimum of one year’s postgraduate supervised clinical experience in Individual, Couple, Family, Child or Group Therapy;
• Have received or currently be in your own personal therapy;
• Be self-reflective and receptive to constructive feedback;
• Take active responsibility for your own learning; and
• Have a keen interest in Transpersonal Psychology and its applications.

requirements for the award of the certificate in couples counselling

• Attendance at all weekends.  If any weekend is missed, for any reason, the lost time must be made up with a catch-up weekend at the end of the year for which there will be an additional charge.
• A report from your clinical supervisor supporting your clinical work.
• Evidence of your understanding of the taught theory, skills and their application to couple therapy, demonstrated in observed practice sessions throughout the year with peers and tutors.
• Submit a minimum 1500 word clinical paper.

requirements for the award of the diploma in couples counselling

All of the requirements above plus:

• Completion of three additional diploma weekends
• 20 hours supervised couple work (a letter from your couple supervisor will be required as evidence)
• Submit and present to peers and tutors either a 2000 word case study based on your work with one couple who have received a minimum of eight continuous sessions of couple therapy with you – or – a reflective piece of work of 2000 words demonstrating your professional development as a Transpersonal Couple Therapist.

fees and dates

Certificate - £1,600 (including a non-refundable deposit of £200)
Diploma - £800 (including a non-refundable deposit of £200)

Signing up for both at the same time requires a non-refundable deposit of £400.
10% discount if booked by 31st October 2011

Certificate: 21/22 Jan, 25/26 Feb, 24/25 Mar, 21/22 Apr, 26/27 May, 16/17 June 2012. 
Diploma: 22/23 Sep, 27/28 Oct, & 10/11 Nov 2012

All weekends run from 10am - 5pm with lunch, morning and afternoon tea breaks.

To apply, contact us for an application form.

training staff

Cathy McDermott: B.Sc. (Hons) Psych. M.Sc., Occ. Psych., Dipls. in Psychotherapy, Supervision, Advanced Psychotherapy. Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and EMDR Practitioner.

John O'Reilly: MA Integrative Psychotherapy; Adv Dipls. Transpersonal Psychotherapy. PG Dipls: Psychosynthesis Counselling & Psychotherapy; Psychosexual Therapy; Integrative Clinical Supervision. PG Certs: Integrative Couple Therapy; Supervision of Couple Therapy; Supervision of Group Work; Short-Term Therapy; Dream Interpretation & Spiritual Guidance.