Counselling can be applied everywhere, whether it’s in school, the workplace, art activities, or to solve marriage or relationship issues. Some types of counselling have evolved, and others already existed to meet people’s needs.
Among them, the work in relationship counselling began in the 1930s and has become one of the essential psychotherapies worldwide. As the name suggests, it helps couples and partners build mutual understanding, resolve interpersonal issues, and create a healthier overall relationship.
We have already discussed in our previous blog why we require relationship counselling in today’s world. WHO has already said that 60% of couples today require professional counselling, and this is expected to drive growth across both offline and digital platforms.
How A Relationship Counsellor Works?
The journey to becoming a certified relationship counsellor begins with understanding your role. You must be wondering what kind of problems you will be solving as a relationship counsellor. You can imagine yourself fixing communication breakdowns, trust issues, emotional distance, and conflict resolution, or providing support for marital and pre-marital challenges. For instance, helping couples who feel disconnected, parents having recurring fights, partners planning to divorce, etc.
Just as a counsellor uses practical skills to identify negative patterns, help people express their emotions openly, and develop constructive interaction strategies, a relationship counsellor follows the same process. It includes various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and sometimes a combination of one or two therapies. Lastly, when counselling in relationships, you mostly remain neutral as a mediator, educator, and emotional supporter, guiding couples rather than taking sides.
Prerequisites To Become A Certified Relationship Counsellor In India
How can you become a certified relationship counsellor in India? It’s a process of learning, practical training, and professional certification. Below are the things you need to begin your journey as a relationship counsellor:
To get started with relationship counselling, you need to finish your bachelor's degree in psychology, preferably in psychology, counselling, or a similar field.
Finish your master's degree in counselling psychology. You can even choose clinical psychology to work as a relationship counsellor.
Now you can do a professional course in relationship counselling from reputed institutes in India. The names might be different for this course, like a postgraduate program certificate programme in couple and family therapy (provided by TISS, Mumbai).
Various organizations in India offer online marriage counselling courses that you can pursue during your graduation. One such course is offered by Indian Counselling Services, which is self-paced, flexible, and taught by an RCI-licensed professional, ideal for counsellors, psychologists, and psychology students.
Now, the most crucial step is actually to start working as a relationship counsellor in India. At this time, you will be confident enough to take your own sessions, but you can begin under supervision first. At this time, you can mention your expertise in couples therapy and relationship counselling in your resume, take training from a practising psychologist, and build clients.
Career Options After Doing A Relationship Course
Now, I have already mentioned before that building a career as a certified relationship counsellor has a vast scope. But what are the practical options available when you are actually finishing your course? Let’s find out:
- Relationship/Marriage Counsellor: You can offer therapy to couples, families, and individuals who need support in hospitals, wellness centres, clinics, private practice as a freelancer, or in NGOs.
- School/College Counsellor: You can work in schools and colleges to help students and families manage relationships, family issues, and academic challenges.
- Corporate/Wellness Counsellor: With expertise in relationship counselling, you can even work in the corporate sector to provide relationship and mental health support to employees. This will include focusing on work-life balance, conflict management, and reducing workplace stress.
- Online Counsellor: Since it’s a digital world, gaining online clients is no longer a challenge. You can either work as a freelancer or with online mental health platforms like YourDost, MindPeers, and BetterHelp.
- Provide Training In Relationship Counsellor: Relationship counselling not only limits you in working as a counsellor, but also educates young and budding counsellors to know more about this emerging field. You can conduct research, give seminars, and train others in the field of relationship counselling.
Enroll In ICS Relationship Course
Gearing up to begin your journey as a certified relationship counsellor in India! The Indian Counselling Services is here to support you in your career. We provide an online relationship counselling course that includes a certificate, a letter of recommendation, and practical assignments. An RCI-licensed psychologist, an expert in relationship counselling, teaches the course.
So what are you waiting for? Enroll in our subsequent batches now. Click here!
