Certificate in Couples / Relationship Therapy from a relational perspective

With Rachel Cook TSTA

Course Outline

There are an increasing number of people seeking relationship therapy and this 6-day Certificate course in Relational Couples Therapy aims to develop your knowledge, confidence and practical skills in working effectively with couples and relationships. It is aimed at qualified practitioners and trainees who have some experience of working therapeutically with individuals but little or no experience of couples’ therapy.

Based on the facilitator’s integrative ‘9 Cs model of Relationship Therapy’ (Cook, 2025, TAJ), we will explore the different difficulties faced by couples, and a range of techniques and theories that can help them from an integrative, relational perspective. Transactional Analysis theories will be offered as helpful tools for understanding and interrupting unhelpful dynamics, although no previous knowledge of TA is necessary.

How we will learn

My teaching style is collaborative, interactive, relational and co-creative. I will use clinical vignettes and encourage you to bring examples of your own couples work for supervision if you are already working with couples. As well as theoretical teaching, we will experiment with creative tasks you can give your couples, have whole group and small group discussions, fishbowl supervisions, and triad role-plays. This is a vital opportunity for you to practice managing (in a safe and non-judgmental environment) the different dynamics of working with two clients in the room at the same time.

Topics covered

• Sex and infidelity
• Difference and power
• Limits and stuck places for couples and relationship therapy
• Creativity with couples

About Rachel

Rachel Cook TSTA, CTA (Psychotherapy), MSc, MA, PGCE, Dip Clinical Supervision is a highly experienced group, relationship and individual psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer, and has been an educator for over 30 years. She is author of Existential Perspectives in Transactional Analysis: The Development of the Adult Self and the Human Search for Meaning (Routledge, 2026). Rachel is Visiting Tutor at Connexus Institute, Brighton, and was previously Senior Lecturer at Metanoia Institute, London. Rachel is on the editorial board of the Transactional Analysis Journal and has published numerous TAJ articles on relationships, connection and existentialism, the most recent being Relational couples therapy: A practical introduction (2025). She is passionate about developing people individually and through authentic and co-creative relational training and group work, striving to use her humanity, humour, integrity and authentic self in all aspects of her teaching and psychotherapeutic work. In her spare time, she loves being with family and friends, writing, creating and sharing good food, walking, and cherishing the wonders of nature – and cat companions!

Book Now