MODULE 1: A PROCESS MODEL OF THE COUPLE DYNAMIC
This module presents an essential model of couple dynamics that is straightforward to understand and apply. You will learn to map the overlapping identity of the couple and identify the areas in which there is mutually strengthening confluence, and the more uncomfortable unconscious polarising in which material within the couple’s unconscious is played out in areas of dissonance and conflict. This includes exploring the way in which roles are being allocated within the dynamic and the contact styles that create both unification and separation.

MODULE 2: DEVELOPMENTAL LIFE CYCLES OF RELATIONSHIPS
During this module we will be teaching you the life cycles and developmental stages within relationships that require a flexible intervention style by the practitioner, curated to match the couple they are with. As with individual developmental stages, couple developmental stages contain an opportunity to grow into the potential of maturing or becoming cyclical and repetitive during a developmental arrest. There will be opportunities to practice intervention styles that are both supportive and catalytic to deepen the couple’s sense of strength whilst also attending to the inherent challenges.

MODULE 3: THE ARCHETYPAL MATERIAL WITHIN COUPLE DYNAMICS
This weekend expands on the essential couple model, entering the exciting area of archetypal dynamics. Elevating the practitioner’s ability to extend the narrative of the couple’s psychological journey into the mythological landscape. This will include exploring the potential within the couple and the deeper opportunities that the relationship offers as a dynamic teacher to both individuals. This perspective incorporates more psychodynamic principles (early blueprints) within a wider collective unconscious field of influence which can support and inspire a couple to embrace the possibilities within their struggles. 

MODULE 4: THE INTERFACE BETWEEN CONTEXTUAL DYNAMICS AND COUPLE DYNAMICS
This module explores the many contexts within which a relationship exists and the way in which such contexts create a supportive container or challenging conflict for relationships. Such themes are often the presenting issue that brings a couple into therapy and the weekend will examine the task of facilitating a couple to utilise firm but permeable boundaries around their relationship that allow them to relate to their contexts without sacrificing their couple needs and intimacy. Feelings of betrayal and tribal expectations form a part of relationship contexts in such areas as work, sexual identity, families of origin, cultural pressures, child making/rearing, and the unconscious expectations that arise from childhood blueprints. Facilitation that enhances an ability to continue to choose the differentiated nature of the couple landscape, will be explored and practised during the weekend.   

MODULE 5: POWER AND THE EROTIC WITHIN COUPLE DYNAMICS
This weekend explores cycles of contact within the couple dynamic, focusing specifically on the way in which power and the erotic are constellated for couples. Intimacy on every level reflects the areas of a couple’s lives that are nourishing and frustrating, and the power dynamic is often the most taboo, yet also profound area for a couple to explore. When a couple is no longer being nourished by the life force within it, conflict, affairs, secrets and addiction create lightening rods to draw the couple’s attention to the longing for contact between them. This module addresses and experiments with facilitation that allows couples to honestly communicate in a way that rebuilds relational receptivity and intimacy.

MODULE 6: ENDINGS WITHIN COUPLE DYNAMICS

This weekend explores the element of choice to stay together or separate that couples face when they come to couple’s therapy. Despite the frequency with which clients tell us that they are coming to therapy to ‘stay together’ there are often very deep and abiding fantasies about separating that can create confused messages, double signals and passive aggressive communication between partners. The more these messages are avoided and denied, the more they leak into the relational space as disturbance, distrust and paranoia. Facilitation that welcomes the taboo is often extremely alleviating for couples, creating a more authentic and secure connection. Sometimes, such exploration leads to decisions to separate with facilitation that enables couples to become respectful individuals able to relate to each other separately, or to find the appropriate contact boundary and roles that enables them to part ‘intact’.