Advanced Couple Therapy Training.

A Gestalt Approach with Dr Vibeke Visnes

Deepen your expertise. Expand your practice. Transform your work with couples and diverse intimate relational configurations

Couples work carries a complexity and nuance that sets it apart from individual therapeutic practice. This advanced professional training offers qualified practitioners the opportunity to develop a relational, evidence-informed approach to couple therapy through the integration of Gestalt theory, embodied practice, and contemporary developmental perspectives.

This programme is designed to strengthen your confidence, clinical understanding, and practical skills in working with couples. Whether you are new to couples therapy or looking to deepen an established practice, you will develop approaches that can be integrated into your own therapeutic orientation. 

Developed by internationally recognised psychotherapist, researcher, supervisor, and trainer Dr Vibeke Visnes, this four-module programme is grounded in her pioneering doctoral research and introduces innovative clinical models that help therapists understand relationship dynamics and intervene with greater confidence, clarity, and therapeutic effectiveness.

Theory, demonstration, therapeutic exploration, skills practice, and reflective learning all come together in this highly experiential, practice-focused programme, giving participants the tools to bring new learning straight into their clinical work.

The programme adopts an inclusive and affirmative approach to relationship diversity, exploring both heteronormative and non-heteronormative relationships and equipping therapists to work sensitively and effectively with the full spectrum of intimate partnerships.

What you will gain from this training.

  • Build clinical confidence and skill in couples work

    Developing the ability to handle conflict, intimacy issues, attachment difficulties, and complex relational patterns, while understanding how this differs from individual therapy.

  • Strengthen therapeutic presence and self-reflection

    increasing attunement, responsiveness, and sound clinical decision-making during complex or challenging sessions.

  • Gain hands-on intervention skills

    through live demonstrations, experiential exercises, and supervised practice that translate directly into everyday clinical work.

  • Learn key theoretical models

    applying Dr Vibeke Visnes' Relational Process Model (RPM), the Gestalt Integrative Model (GIMod), and Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy (DSP) to understand relationship processes, embodiment, and non-verbal communication.

  • Practice inclusive, affirming therapy

    working competently with diverse relationship configurations, including LGBTQIA+ partnerships, with sensitivity to the cultural and societal contexts that shape them.

  • Deepen core relational competencies

    Including intimacy, autonomy, attachment, sexuality, and trauma-informed practice, within a collaborative learning community of peers and supervisors.

  • Work more confidently and effectively with a broad range of relationship presentations.

  • Formulate and understand complex relationship dynamics using innovative clinical frameworks.

  • Select and adapt interventions that are responsive to each couple's unique needs and therapeutic goals.

  • Integrate embodied, developmental, and relational perspectives into your existing therapeutic practice.

  • Feel more grounded, flexible, and creative when working with couples experiencing high levels of emotional distress or relational complexity.

Is this programme for you?

  • This programme is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who have completed at least their core training within a Humanistic and Integrative framework and wish to develop or deepen their work with couples. Previous experience in couple therapy is not required.

By the end of this programme you will be able to:

    • Inclusive and affirmative practice with diverse relationship configurations

    • 84 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

    • Certificate awarded by the Gestalt Institute of Ireland in partnership with Gestalt Integrative Institute upon successful completion

    • Four intensive three-day training modules

    • Highly experiential and practice-focused learning

    • Innovative clinical models developed through doctoral research

    • Integration of relational, developmental, and embodied approaches to couple therapy

Whether you are expanding your clinical practice or seeking greater confidence in working with couples, this programme offers a rich learning experience that combines contemporary theory with practical application.

Participants leave with new perspectives, practical tools, and a deeper capacity to support couples in creating more resilient, authentic, and satisfying relationships.

Please note:

If minimum numbers are not reached for the training a full refund will be issued.

Dates

Fri 16th April to Sun 18th April 2027

Sat 19th June to Mon  21st June 2027

Fri 3rd Sept to Sun 5th Sept 2027

Fri 1st Oct to Sun 3rd Oct 2027

Investment

€2200 plus accommodation fees payable with Teach Bhride.

For more information please contact gill.leo@gestaltinstitute.ie