Course Description:

This course provides an overview of the theory and practice of psychodynamic counselling as it applies to couples counselling. The course is designed for qualified Psychodynamic Counsellors or Psychotherapists who have an interest in extending their skills to encompass the theory and practical dynamics of working with a couple. Applicants for the course do not need to have any prior experience of working with couples. There will be opportunities to further develop the skills taught by applying them to working with actual couples, clients either of ECPS or provided through your own private practice (subject to approval by ECPS), but such client contact is neither mandatory nor guaranteed. The course includes the following topics:

• A psychoanalytic understanding of the couple’s dynamic
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship
• Aims and Endings
• Sexual desire: disorder, and addressing sexual issues in the relationship
• Narcissism
• Approaching issues of individual and joint transference in the counselling room

Requires equivalent qualification/registration as a Psychodynamic Counsellor with an established Psychodynamic Training Centre, but no experience of working with couples is required.

Course Requirements:

• Attendance and participation
• Completion of all assignments
• Passing final 3,500 word essay

Course Schedule:

The course is classroom based and will take place at the ECPS Training Centre in Enfield Town on one Thursday morning per month for 10 months, starting September 2025 and ending June 2026. Exact dates of the 10 sessions will be available shortly.

Course Instructors:

The course is taught by Liz Good and Richard White

All reading materials will be provided by ECPS.