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Level 8 Certificate in Counselling (Marriage and Relationship)

Accord CLG is recruiting experienced practitioners to train in the specialism of Couple and Relationship Counselling.   Downloadable Application Form

The Certificate in Counselling (Marriage and Relationship) is equivalent to Level 8, 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (Level 6 England, Wales & NI)

Training Programme: The Certificate in Counselling, (Couples and Relationship), is an affiliated programme of the Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth.  This programme is aimed at qualified, experienced counsellors with knowledge and experience of the Person Centred Approach, who have a current supervised case load.

Costs: Successful applicants have their course fee and supervision fees funded by Accord. Students completing the Certificate course are provided with placement in an Accord Centre and complete 100 supervised client sessions as part of the course.  All other costs are met by the student.

Time/Flexibility: Counsellors wishing to train and work with ACCORD will need to have a significant level of availability to attend the training on one weekend per month, September 2024 to April 2025 (inclusive). They will also need to have the availability and flexibility to work with ACCORD clients ideally during day and evening times. Attendance at supervision and centre meetings will also require a significant level of availability and flexibility.

Application Criteria: Applications will be considered from those who have a qualification in counselling / psychotherapy and have completed 100 client hours following completion of their training course.

a)  Level 5 (UK) / Level 7 (ROI) qualification in Counselling / Psychotherapy ?
b)  Experience in working in the Person-Centred style ?.
c)  100 client counselling hours post-graduation ?
d)  Have a current supervised caseload.
e)  Have flexibility for; course attendance, study, completion of assignments, completion of clinical placement, attendance at supervision and centre meetings.
f)   Have access to, familiarity with and competency in the use of Microsoft word, email and internet.

Personal/Professional Suitability: Successful applicants will demonstrate the following personal attributes:

  • An open and dialogic communication style
  • Maturity, genuineness, self-awareness
  • Warmth, flexibility, openness, a nonjudgmental worldview
  • Openness to learning
  • Ability to reflect on self and on practice
  • Ability to work in a safe and ethical way
  • Willing to commit to being an active member of ACCORD
  • Ability to work within ACCORD’s ethos and mission

Selection of Candidates: Following receipt of applications a paper selection process based on application criteria will take place. Applicants who are successful in the paper selection process may be invited to selection if the centre of their choice is recruiting counsellors. Selection will take place over zoom on June 8th & 15th 2024.

Duration of Course: Training is delivered over 16 days and takes place monthly at weekends over one academic year. An additional consolidation day will be scheduled some months after the end of the taught course for students on placement.

Location of Training: Training will take place in person in Maynooth Co Kildare.

Course Content: Training will include:

  • Theory and Practice of Person Centred Counselling.
  • Theories and Practice of Couple Counselling.
  • Couple Counselling Skills Development and Practice.
  • Working Safely and Ethically with Domestic Abuse.
  • Working with the complexity of issues presenting in Coupes Counselling; Diversity, Neurodiversity, Trauma, Addiction, Infidelity, Physical and Mental illness and Disability, Sex and Intimacy, Step Family Dynamics, Parenting Issues, Impacts of Family of Origin, Domestic Abuse
  • Self-Awareness; Personal/Professional.
  • Safe and Ethical Practice.
  • ACCORD’s Code of Ethics and Practice.
  • Models of Supervision.
  • ACCORD’s Policies and Procedures.

Clinical Placement: Students who meet the required standard on the training programme will commence clinical practice placement in their assigned Centre when assessed by the course tutor(s) as competent to do so. Students will be facilitated in consolidating the theory and practice of couple counselling throughout the remainder of the Certificate Course. Students will be required to deliver a minimum of 100 sessions of counselling in their assigned Centre as part of their training requirement. Students are also required to attend supervision provided by ACCORD at a ratio 10:1.  Regular attendance at their ACCORD centre’s meetings is also required, on an ongoing basis, once clinical practice has commenced.

Assessment: Participants will be assessed on both their knowledge and skills throughout the training programme.