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Includes

  • Can apply for external CPD points with ASCHP
  • Handouts and worksheets
    Certificate of attendance
  • 2 days (09:00 - 15:00)
  • R2750

Course Schedule

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Presenter

Anri van den Berg
Anri van den BergSpecialist Wellness Counsellor

Relationships are complex, and many couples seek professional guidance to navigate the challenges they face. This course focuses on the knowledge, frameworks, and practical tools needed to work effectively with couples in a structured and solution-focused manner. 

Through this training course, I aim to equip you as counsellor with a few of the practically applicable tools that I have found to be beneficial when counselling couples. We will look at theory, but definitely have enough time to give you the opportunity to practically enhance your skills.

Course Overview: 

Based on evidence-based methodologies, this course covers key aspects of couples counselling, including communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, emotional needs, and relationship stages. You will gain insight into John Gottman’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the Imago Dialogue method, Negative Patterns of Interaction, and the Relationship Bucket Illustration. The training also includes guidance on directive vs. non-directive counselling and how to apply practical tools in sessions. 

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Understand the stages of marriage and how they impact relationships. 
  • Assist couples in building their communication & conflict resolution skills. 
  • Assist couples in identifying & addressing their needs and expectations.
  • Utilise practically applicable tools to strengthen relationships. 
  • Foster emotional intimacy and long-term commitment. 

Tools:

  • The Bucket
  • Negative Patterns of Interaction
  • Couple’s Dialogue
  • The Four Horsemen summary page added for quick reference

This course will enhance your ability to support couples effectively. Whether working with married couples, long-term partners, or those navigating major life transitions, this course provides real-world counselling strategies to facilitate growth, healing, and relationship success. 

“As a counsellor, I have seen firsthand the challenges couples face—but I have also witnessed the power of transformation when they are given the right tools, and when someone holds space for them in a way that facilitates healthy communication, understanding and acceptance. This course is designed to equip you with practical, effective strategies to guide couples toward deeper connection, healthier communication, and lasting commitment. 

Whether you’re new to relationship counselling or looking to refine your skills, this training will empower you to make a real difference in the lives of the couples you work with.”

Anri van den Berg, Vita Nova Counselling Services

Testimonials

Just want to say thank you for the coupled/relationship counselling course was so interesting and informative, I really enjoyed it and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, there’s definitely a few practical tools that I will use one day in my counselling sessions. The practical explanations really helped to understand theory.
Kayla Boshoff
The course was an eye-opener to those who want to build and sustain healthy marriage relationships. I would definitely recommend the Couple’s Counselling course to anyone who needs to contribute towards building healthy, fruitful and lasting marriages. The course would benefit anyone who has a passion to counsel, by equipping them with skills and tools for building sound marriages. Most marriages end in divorce because of lack of knowledge about various stages they will go through.  Change in marriage is inevitable and therefore professional guidance can assist in helping a new couple to normalise their situation. A number of years in marriage does not guarantee skills to counsel couples as many people believe, but training does certainly provide skills and tools to facilitate effectively.
Margaret Ntsana
I found the 2-day training course on counselling couples to be really interesting and insightful. For somebody who has not yet worked with couples, I found it to be a great introduction to the ways in which a counsellor should go about their work in order to get results with their clients. I really enjoyed the section on practically applicable tools which can be used during the counselling session, because these not only help to structure the session but also allow the couple to practically use this tool in their day to day lives. I learnt so much during these 2 days and I know the information will be highly valuable if I begin to work with couples. Anri planned and organised the course so well and made it thought-provoking and interactive via Zoom. She provided us with the opportunity to learn all about her “do’s and don’ts” that she has come to know over the years when working with couples. I would recommend the course to all individuals who are interested in learning more about counselling couples.
Alexandra Mapstone
The couples counselling course is amazing! Anri so generously provided a wealth of information for us to take into our sessions. This includes some theory and very practically applicable tools. I thoroughly enjoyed this course! It also makes you think about your own relationships – the problems and also the solutions. Would actually like to do it again!
Paige Stroucken