A biracial couple sitting on a couch and having a serious conversation while a couples counsellor takes notes

Couples Counselling Course: A contemporary and client-focused approach

Transform your work with couples and gain comprehensive knowledge and skills with our contemporary, client-focused course.

Our 12-week course is designed for counsellors who are new to working with couples, and students and practitioners in related fields who want to enhance their couples counselling skills.

It offers an immersive journey into contemporary couples counselling theories and approaches, with an emphasis on how this knowledge can enhance your counselling skills and deepen your relationships with clients.

What sets our course apart?

Research & evidence-based
Client-focused content
Relevant to contemporary Australia
Convenient, online delivery
Practice-based seminars & workshops
A hybrid delivery of interactive modules & self-paced learning
Informed by more than 75 years of counselling service delivery

Content and topics

Established couples counselling theories and approaches in use in Australia today
Extensive research and expert commentary on why particular approaches work well
Ways to enhance your therapeutic skills and apply new theories and competencies to your practice
Strategies to support reflective practice
Common challenges that couples face, such as infidelity, communication difficulties, life transitions, conflicting use of social media, avoidance patterns, family violence and trauma
Ethical decision-making
How to support couples who are experiencing complex challenges
How couples’ emotional and sexual connection can be affected by identity including cultural diversity, gender, religion, health, disability and/or neurodiversity
The role and impact of single session consultations when working with couples
How to apply assessment processes and develop working formulations which consider couples’ unique narratives, backgrounds and presenting dynamics

Dates/times

Our next intake will be in March 2026.

Pricing

$3,500 (see 'Fees' for more information)

Location

Delivered online. All session times are in Victorian local time.

Download our 2025 course flyer pdf, 441KB

More information

Structure

12 weeks involving 7-8 hours a week of study. This includes weekly 2-hour online seminars and independent study time.

Outcomes

On course completion, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and confidence to work effectively with couples, and help them to overcome obstacles and build stronger, healthier relationships.

Format

This course offers a unique blend of online, interactive sessions, self-paced learning and practical workshops, ensuring a dynamic and flexible educational experience that caters to different learning styles and schedules.

Interactive, self-paced online modules

Through our learning management system, online modules provide access to evidence-based readings on each topic. Students are expected to complete weekly online modules prior to weekly seminars.

Independent study

Each week of the course builds on knowledge and skills practiced in the previous week. Proactive and self-directed study is required to ensure students keep up with study requirements and can progress through the course.

Assessments

Weekly knowledge checks built into the self-paced modules will reinforce learnings to validate key understandings and foundational knowledge as you progress through the course.
Two written essays involving audio visual and case study components form part of the overall course requirements.

Live, interactive seminars

Seminars will include weekly group discussions with peers and expert instructors on each of the self-paced module topics. You’ll also apply weekly learnings through role plays, case studies, group discussions, and recording yourself using audio visual materials so that you can reflect back on your progress.

Practice workshop

Commitment: 2 full days
When: To be advised

Held as a one-off online workshop midway through the course, expert clinical educators will guide you to work with your peers and apply your skills in a range of interactive role plays.

Entry requirements

To apply, you must:

have appropriate tertiary qualifications in social services or a related field
have a minimum of one year’s face-to-face experience providing counselling
attend an interview.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application within 2 weeks of your interview.

Post-course options

Couple counselling is a highly specialised field and we strongly encourage students who wish to further strengthen their practical skills and experience to consider additional professional development.

Our specialised, post-course options include:
• a 12-month Clinical Internship
• Clinical Supervision and Workplace Practice Program.

Fees

$3,500

Instalment options are available.

A $1,500 deposit is required to secure enrolment.

Get started

If you're ready to take the next step in your career, register via the button at the top of the page, or contact us for more information:

Call us on (03) 8573 2222
Email us at [email protected]

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