‘We all share a fundamental need for security which propels us toward committed relationships’ but ‘we have an equally strong need for adventure and excitement’. (Perel, 2007)
This exciting six-day, three-weekend certificate course is aimed at those who want to start working with couples as well as those looking to enhance, refresh or expand their existing couples therapy practice. It’s developed and led by Sarah Demaree and Paul McManus, who have been married for over 25 years and run a practice together in central London.
There are many different methods of working with couples; in this course, which will have a strongly practical orientation, we will focus on Transactional Analysis (TA) and well-known TA-adjacent approaches, eg Imago Relationship Therapy, Bader Pearson Developmental Model, etc. It will cover everything from the initial intake and contracting to negotiating endings.
Applicants must have completed 100 hours of supervised counselling practice or 100 supervised hours in a similar field, eg coaching, organisational etc (this need not be with couples).
Assessment (to be submitted by July 2025)
• Participate in role-playing experiential learning with course leaders and participants
• Submit a log of learning hours, including reading, clinical hours, and course hours.
• Submit a transcript of a 10-minute couple’s tape plus front sheet and 500-word summary of the work, using TA and/or adjacent theories.
• Complete a minimum of 20 clinical hours working with couples, either during or after the training.
Accreditation
On successful completion of the course, you will receive The Berne Institute ‘Certificate in Working Therapeutically with Couples’. This course can be counted as 36 hours of CPD or as 36 hours Advanced TA Psychotherapy Training.
Topics will include:
Working with Betrayal
Working with Neurodiverse Couples
Working with Sexual Issues
Working with Parenting Issues
Working with High Conflict Couples
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in experiential learning with the course leaders and fellow participants. By the end of the course, we hope you will come away with the confidence and enthusiasm to start working effectively with couples.
Applicants for the course must have completed 100 hours of supervised counselling practice or 100 supervised hours in a similar field, eg coaching, organisational, etc. (This need not be with couples.)
Summary
Course Cost
Fee
£700 for Berne Institute Trainees
£720 for non-Berne Trainees
Course Date
Dates
7th - 8th September 2024
5th - 6th October 2024
2nd - 3rd November 2024
In Person at Berne House
10am to 5pm with breaks
Tutors
Sarah Demaree PTSTA(P)
Paul McManus PGDip TA
Sarah is a UKCP and UKATA registered psychotherapist, supervisor and teacher whose areas of interest include couples, neurodiversity, neuroscience, and new research looking at the role of nutrition in mental health.
Paul is a neurodivergent (ND) UKCP and ITAA registered psychotherapist with a specialist practice working with ND couples and individuals.
At The Berne Institute we recognise that people come into TA training with widely differing experiences of clinical practice, theoretical knowledge and formal academic learning, and that they differ widely also in their current personal resources and skills. Our courses therefore honour the uniqueness of each individual’s learning and experience and their different learning styles, pace and areas of competence.
The philosophy and practice of Homonomy that respects our mutuality and interconnectedness has been recently integrated into the Berne Institute philosophy. The aim is to expand the focus in our theory and practice from individual change to include a focus on the wider implications of our work on the whole community and our planet.
The Berne Institute
Berne House
29 Derby Road
Kegworth
DE74 2EN
01509 673649
office@theberne.com