Counselling World
Expand your practice. Deepen your impact. Stand out in a crowded profession.
Become a Specialist Couples Counsellor
In today’s highly competitive counselling landscape, developing specialist skills is no longer optional—it’s essential.
This Level 7 CPCAB Accredited Certificate in Couples Counselling gives you the advanced training, confidence, and clinical depth to work effectively with couples—and to clearly differentiate your practice.
Why This Course?
✔ CPCAB Accredited
A recognised and respected qualification within the counselling field.
✔ Stand Out Professionally
Couples’ work is in high demand. This course gives you a distinct clinical edge in a saturated market.
✔ Fully Online (UK-Wide) with in-person/ blended option available
Join from anywhere in the UK with live, interactive, real-time teaching.
Course Dates
All courses run from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
September 2026 (online)
2026 September Monday 07/09/2026 14/09, 21/09, 28/09, 05/10, 12/10, 19/10, 26/10, 02/11, 09/11, 16/11, 23/11
Cost: £895 (plus £290 CPCAB registration)
January 2027 (online)
2027 January Monday 04/01/2027 11/01, 18/01, 25/01, 01/02, 08/02, 15/02, 22/02, 01/03, 08/03, 15/03, 22/03
Cost: £1,095 (plus £290 CPCAB registration)
January 2027 (in-person/ blended, Canterbury)2027
January Tuesday 5/1, 12/1, 19/1, 26/1, 2/2, 9/2, 16/2, 23/2, 2/3, 9/3, 16/3, 23/3 (Please note that three of these dates will be on Zoom)
Cost: £1,345 (plus £290 CPCAB registration)
Course Overview
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Commitment: 6 hours per week
- Start Date: September
- Format: Live online teaching
Designed for qualified counsellors looking to expand into relationship and couples work.
An Integrative, Contemporary Approach
This course offers a rich, evidence-informed model of couples counselling, combining:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – core model
- Imago Relationship Therapy – relational awareness & dialogue
- Gottman Method – research-based interventions
You’ll learn how to:
- Work safely, legally and ethically as a couples therapist
- Work with self-awareness in the couples counselling field
- Intervene effectively in high-conflict dynamics
- Facilitate meaningful emotional change between partners
This course is structured around the seven core processes used across other CPCAB qualifications, providing a sense of continuity and familiarity for those who have previously studied with CPCAB.
Experiential & Skills-Based Learning
You will learn by doing:
- Live teaching from an experienced couples therapist and trainer
- Structured skills practice in small groups
- Guided experiential exercises
- Real-time feedback and integration
By the end, you will not just understand couples therapy—you will be able to do it.
Who Is This Course For?
- Qualified counsellors and psychotherapists with a significant number of completed client hours and CPD
- Therapists seeking to deepen relational work
- This course is not suitable for those currently going through challenging life issues
What You’ll Gain
- A clear framework for working with couples
- Confidence in managing complex relational dynamics
- Practical, applicable intervention skills
- A recognised Level 7 CPCAB qualification
- A stronger professional identity in a competitive field
- Access (during course time) to Counselling World’s online learning platform, where you will find additional learning materials, links to videos and PowerPoints.
Why Couples Work Matters
Couples therapy is one of the most impactful—and most in-demand—areas of practice.
Helping partners reconnect, communicate, and repair emotional bonds doesn’t just change relationships—it changes lives.
What are the Hidden Costs?
You will need access to a selection of required course textbooks.
As this is a Level 7 course, you should expect to commit approximately 5.5 hours per week to independent study, including reading, research, and written assignments, in addition to scheduled sessions.
Important: Full attendance is required for this course. If you are unable to attend all sessions, please enrol on a future course instead.
Please be aware that some course dates may fall during school holidays. If you have childcare responsibilities, ensure that suitable arrangements are in place before committing to the course. If this is not possible, we recommend joining a later course when you can attend all sessions.
Take the Next Step
Invest in your development. Expand your practice. Stand out.
👉 Apply Now
Request an application form from 4counsellingworld@gmail.com
FAQ
Will I be able to counsel couples after doing this course?
This course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to start working as a couples counsellor.
Can anyone join this course?
We welcome applications from qualified counsellors with a range of backgrounds and experience. Every application is considered individually, and we look at your qualifications, counselling experience, client hours and continuing professional development (CPD) to assess your readiness for Level 7 study.
As a guide, applicants who hold a Level 5 (or above) counselling qualification and have completed at least 250 supervised client hours are usually well placed to be invited for interview.
We also value evidence of relevant CPD (including reading and listening to podcasts, etc) completed over the past few years. We are interested not only in the training you have undertaken, but also in how you have integrated that learning into your counselling practice.
We actively encourage applications from counsellors who hold a Level 4 qualification. If you are applying directly from Level 4, CPCAB requires us to ensure there is sufficient evidence to support progression to Level 7. We also want to be confident that you will be able to thrive on this course.
If you have studied another subject at Level 5 or above, this can strengthen your application by demonstrating your experience of studying at a higher academic level.
For applicants progressing directly from Level 4 to Level 7 without additional higher-level qualifications, we would normally expect to see:
- Around 400 or more supervised client hours.
- Strong evidence of relevant, in-depth CPD and how this has informed your therapeutic practice.
Our aim is to make this course as accessible as possible while ensuring that every student is well prepared to succeed. If you are invited to interview, we will consider everything you have shared in your application, your experience, and our discussion with you before making a final decision.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the entry requirements, we encourage you to apply. We’re always happy to discuss your individual circumstances and advise whether this course is likely to be the right next step for you.
How will I be assessed on this course?
This is a criteria-based course that involves continual assessment aligned with the CPCAB 7 Processes. Assessment includes learning reviews, a case study (3,000 words), skills work and presentations.
Will I need to find a couples counselling placement?
This course incorporates practical skills sessions as a core component. No additional placement is required for this course.
About the tutor
Hilary McNair is an experienced couples counsellor whose enthusiasm for learning and professional development continues to enrich her practice. She is deeply committed to helping people create stronger, more satisfying relationships, believing that the quality of our connections with others profoundly influences our sense of well-being and purpose.
Throughout her career, she has seen firsthand how investing time and care in relationships can lead to profound and lasting change. She considers it a privilege to have supported many couples in transforming their relationships and, in turn, enhancing their overall well-being and enjoyment of life.
Her practice is underpinned by contemporary research and evidence-based theoretical frameworks within the field of relationship counselling. She has a particular affinity for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), valuing its focus on emotional experience, attachment, and the transformative potential of working in the present moment. This approach complements her creative, experiential, and collaborative way of working.
Alongside her counselling practice, Hilary has over 40 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about supporting learners, creating engaging learning environments, and helping students develop both professionally and personally. She looks forward to getting to know each student and accompanying them on their learning journey.
Course Fees
September 2026: £895 plus £290 for CPCAB registation
January 2027 online course: £1,095 plus £290 for CPCAB registration
January 2027 in-person/ blended course (Canterbury): £1,345 plus £290 for CPCAB registration