Save 20% on selected courses. Employer Funding - To register for a course through Employer Sponsorship, please contact us at Admin@instituteofcounselling.ac.uk

Changing Careers to a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

30th October 2024
Changing Careers to a Couples and Marriage Counsellor Changing careers can feel like a daunting task, but transitioning to a fulfilling profession like a couples and marriage counsellor can be an incredibly rewarding journey. Whether you’ve been working in a completely different field or are already in a related industry like teaching or social work, the skills needed for couples counselling are often highly transferable

Changing Careers to a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Changing careers can feel like a daunting task, but transitioning to a fulfilling profession like a couples and marriage counsellor can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you’ve been working in a completely different field or are already in a related industry like teaching or social work, the skills needed for couples counselling are often highly transferable.

If you’re considering making this shift, this guide will walk you through the process, the skills required, and the steps you need to take to start your new career as a couples and marriage counsellor.

Why Change Careers to Become a Couples and Marriage Counsellor?

Working as a couples and marriage counsellor offers an opportunity to help individuals and couples navigate some of the most significant challenges in their relationships. Many find this role personally and professionally fulfilling, as it involves making a tangible impact on people’s lives.

If you're someone who enjoys listening, empathising, and supporting others through difficult times, this career could be a natural fit. It also offers opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Who Is This Career Change For?

A career change to couples and marriage counselling is ideal for those passionate about understanding human relationships and improving them. You may be a teacher, social worker, or nurse who’s already working with people in emotionally challenging situations or someone with an interest in mental health and therapy.

Many transferable skills—such as active listening, empathy, and communication—are highly valuable in this field. If you already possess these, the transition may be smoother than you think.

Key Steps to Becoming a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Assess Your Current Skills and Qualifications

If you’re currently in a related field like social work, healthcare, or teaching, many of your skills will transfer directly into counselling. However, specific training in couples and marriage counselling is essential for this career change, as you'll need to be familiar with relationship dynamics, communication strategies, and therapeutic techniques unique to couples counselling.

Complete Relevant Training and Education

To become a qualified couples and marriage counsellor, you’ll need formal education and training. Accredited counselling courses focused on couples therapy cover:

  • Relationship Dynamics: Understanding how relationships form and patterns that lead to conflict.
  • Conflict Resolution: Techniques to help couples resolve disputes and move forward.
  • Communication Skills: Teaching couples how to communicate more effectively.

   The Institute of Counselling offers courses that combine theoretical learning with practical application.

Gain Practical Experience

Gaining practical experience through supervised practice is crucial. This real-world experience allows you to apply your skills in counselling settings. Training programmes that include role play sessions and supervision are essential in developing critical evaluation and reflection skills.

Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Accreditation

Accreditation bodies, such as the Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or  the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) offer guidelines on how to gain their accreditation as a qualified couple and marriage counsellor.

Skills You Need to Succeed as a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Couples counselling requires specific skills. While training develops many of these, some are innate or cultivated from prior experience:

  • Empathy: Understanding both sides of the relationship without judgment.  
  • Active Listening: Listening attentively and reflecting on clients' issues.
  • Conflict Resolution: Guiding couples to resolve conflicts constructively.
  • Emotional Resilience: Supporting clients through tough emotional situations requires patience and resilience.

The Role of Continuing Professional Development

Once formally trained, your journey doesn’t end. Continuous professional development (CPD) keeps you updated on the latest counselling techniques. Consider specialisations like family counselling, working with LGBTQ+ clients, or conflict resolution.

The Institute of Counselling offers further learning opportunities, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices that enhance counselling skills.

Is This Career Right for You?

Before taking the plunge, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Do I enjoy helping people overcome personal challenges?   
  • Am I comfortable handling emotionally intense situations? 
  • Can I commit to continuous professional development?

If you answered yes, you’re on the right track.

Changing Careers to a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Challenges of Becoming a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Like any career change, transitioning to a couples counsellor has its challenges. Training can be demanding, and working through clients' difficult moments requires emotional strength. Building a client base from scratch may also take time, but the rewards of helping couples are profound.

Final Thoughts on Changing Careers to a Couples and Marriage Counsellor

Transitioning into a career as a couples and marriage counsellor isn’t just about new skills—it’s about supporting others through significant relationships. With the right training, practical experience, and a commitment to growth.

Institute of Counselling
rated
Rated 4.6 stars (429 reviews) Rated 4.6 stars (429 reviews) Rated 4.6 stars (429 reviews) Rated 4.6 stars (429 reviews) Rated 4.6 stars (429 reviews)
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
The course provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Through its structured materials, I was able to develop essential CBT skills that are crucial for effective practice in the field of mental health support. The knowledge I got has significantly enhanced my confidence as a mental health support counselor, enabling me to apply these techniques in real-world situations with greater assurance. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Marie Murphy for her exceptional support throughout the course. Her insightful feedback was invaluable in helping me refine my skills and deepen my understanding of the material. I am confident that I will revisit the course materials in the future, as they are well-organized and serve as a valuable resource for ongoing learning and professional development.
Liliia K, 29 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in CBT 2 (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
i found this course and the material very informative, lots of personal tasks which helped to develop my knowledge and understanding of CBT. My tutor was helpful and would give direction if I was unsure of something. I feel able to begin to introduce CBT into my own work with more confidence.
beverley R, 34 days ago
Rated 4 stars Rated 4 stars Rated 4 stars Rated 4 stars Rated 4 stars
Diploma in Youth Counselling
Given that the course is entirely distance-learning and not in-person, the quality of tutoring including communication, advice and feedback is excellent. The course materials are excellent and provide links to all the essential texts for the subject. I feel as though I have learned a great deal over the course of my studies and it has enhanced my practice and enabled me to move forward in my professional aims.
Dave S, 35 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in Christian Counselling
The course material is in-depth, allowing me to reflect on and consider the role of a Christian Counsellor at the basic /Introductory level. I received detailed and positive feedback from the Tutor, Marie Murphy, which demonstrated my ability and skills to pursue the role of a Christian Counsellor. Marie's feedback has helped to guide me in this role. Thank you.
Marcia T, 73 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in Couple and Family Counselling Skills
Dr Murphy made my study for diploma in Couple and Family Counselling really interesting, she is very honest and approachable. I really looked forward for all her comments and do take them on board and will implement them in my ministerial role. I just want to say thank you for helping me to see my hidden potentials and to see situations and individuals from a different point of view to which I formerly held. Mobrae
Mobrae M, 81 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in Counselling
Good, really interesting and was grateful for the quick turn around on my assignments after them being sent to a different tutor. Very grateful and feel really good about the course and getting it completed.
Lisa C, 111 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in CBT 2 (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
Marie has been an excellent tutor throughout this course and consistently supportive. Marie has also been excellent in outlining any areas where more depth or focus may have been required by me as a student in relation to coursework. Marie has also been extremely accessible for any queries and prompt to reply.
Ian C, 112 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Some of the course work seems a little dated
David P, 113 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
The course materials made sense and explained what was required throughout. My tutor (Marie Murphy) was really engaging throughout and very supportive when I asked questions and probed into next steps etc. If/when I sign up for my next course I would ask for Marie to be my tutor again.
Nick A, 125 days ago
Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars Rated 5 stars
Diploma in Youth Counselling
I loved the youth counselling course, as a teacher I learned a lot about all the theories and models and also released that I have applied most of them in my years of teaching without noticing. I have also learned that my approach is a holistic approach, which I never knew. Dr. Murphy was amazing in her guidance and feedback and I learned a lot from her. I am planning on expanding in this career and also do the other counselling courses.
Minette J, 131 days ago