Become a Certified Couples Coach
Learn how to skillfully help couples work through conflict, maintain authenticity, and deepen their connection (while developing your own relationship capacities along the way).
Hello Coaches,
Since 2017 we’ve been training coaches in how to work with couples. Over the years, the collaboration between us has led to more clarity and effectiveness in how to best help couples through coaching, and how to train coaches to do the same.
This coaching training includes important elements from the fields of interpersonal neurobiology, neuroscience, attachment science, behavioral science, and also draws from experiential models (somatic and gestalt oriented therapies) of working with couples that creates a powerful method for coaching couples.
We created this training from our more than 40 years combined experience working with individuals, couples, groups, and families. We also live what we teach in our own marriage and family, every day.
We want to invite you into a truly transformational experience by learning with us for 9 months. This training will be confronting in some ways to what you thought you knew about partnership, as well as inspiring and empowering as you gradually experience more strength and security in your own life.
Thus, the purpose of this training can be seen as two fold:
1- It will shape you personally from the inside out.
2- It will help you gain the confidence to coach couples to move from insecurity and challenge to security and strength.
Jayson brings his experience working with couples and families since 2003. He has worked in both residential inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, mental health centers, emergency psychiatric services, and private practice with adolescents, parents, individuals, families, and groups. He has been trained and certified in gestalt therapy, EMDR, and sensorimotor psychotherapy. He has also trained extensively in human behavior with Dr. John Demartini. Jayson was a licensed psychotherapist for many years prior to becoming a coach, founding the Relationship School, and writing a comprehensive book on interpersonal conflict.
Ellen brings a tremendous amount of experience to our training as well. She has worked in the field of counseling with individuals, adolescents, and families since 1995. She became a psychotherapist in 2003, has done post graduate training in gestalt therapy, has been trained in sensorimotor psychotherapy for trauma, and EMDR, and has worked in the entire range of therapeutic settings from residential treatment to private practice. Most recently, Ellen has trained intensively with Dr. Stan Tatkin since 2014. She has completed his three levels of training in PACT, the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy. As of 2022, she is now a certified PACT therapist, of which there are only a handful in the world currently. She maintains two private practices, in psychotherapy and coaching, where she works primarily with couples.
Working with couples as a coach is very dynamic and compelling, as well as difficult and complex. It requires a level of presence and skill that is not easy to learn, yet we intend to support and educate you in a way that makes this kind of growth and development possible.
If you choose to participate in this training, you will also have the option of becoming certified in Present Centered Couples Coaching ™ which has been developed and practiced by us over many years. But possibly even more importantly, you will grow as a person, having a stronger template for developing strong and secure partnerships (and parenting) in your own life.
This is a special training program, and we hope you will experience it with us.
Ellen and Jayson
Some of what you’ll learn in this training:
- How to give couples a new framework and foundation for their relationship that will provide them long-term success through any challenges.
- How to help couples understand what their biggest relationship blocks are and how to effectively address them.
- How to help couples upgrade to more effective communication skills through enhanced interpersonal intelligence (better listening techniques, attuned communication skills, and emotional intelligence).
- How to help couples embrace, work through, and repair conflict as a path to relationship depth and fulfillment.
- How to help couples navigate the most difficult and stressful conversations (money, sex, lifestyle, parenting).
- How to help a couple clarify the purpose of their relationship and what shared agreements will help them reach their goals.
We will provide you the training and support to help you become the most effective, dynamic and resilient couples coach you can be.
The six elements to keep in mind when working with couples:
- Achieve a shared reality about the couples’ core issue(s)
- Identify goals with the couple to work toward
- Practice and utilize the concept of standing for three
- Improve communication throughout the conflict-repair cycle
- Establish and clarify their purpose and agreements
- Ongoing coach development
These six elements are areas of focus to orient the couple’s coach. These elements will provide you with an excellent framework for working with couples–a framework that also can be built out to accommodate each couple’s unique situation and reasons for coming to coaching.
What we expect of you
To participate in this advanced level certification, you must be committed to developing your capacity to hold more complexity and develop a new skill set at the same time.
While this training will build off RCT (level 1 training) and other training you’ve done, you will be challenged beyond your current competencies and you might feel like a beginner again as you start to work with couples. However, you will indeed graduate with a whole new level of confidence in the coaching seat.
We want students in this program who are interested in learning the much more difficult skill of working with a couple.
Note: You will be evaluated throughout the course and must demonstrate core competencies by course end. You are not guaranteed certification.
Prerequisites to join:
- Be a certified TRS Level 1 Relationship Coach or a certified coach, therapist, counselor or social worker with a strong desire to work with couples virtually and become a couples coach (you will need to apply and be interviewed).
- Be competent at your current level of training.
- Contribute to The Relationship School community in a positive way.
- Uphold the TRS Code of Ethics.
- You are coachable and have a strong desire to grow personally.
Ready to learn the most effective approach to support couples?
Duration: 1-year certification program (9-month course curriculum),
Tuition:
$747/month for 18 months
-or-
A one-time payment of $12,505.00
$999/month for 10 months
$799/month for 13 months
TRS certified relationship coaches are pre-approved.
TRS certified coaches need not fill out an application form, you are pre-approved. To get started begin by paying the non-refundable $997 deposit and set up your monthly payment plan.
Start Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Couples Coach Training Schedule:
We will meet 2x per month on Wednesdays from 10:30am-12:00pm MT.
The first three classes will be 2 hours long, from 10:30am – 12:30pm MT; all classes thereafter will be 1.5 hours.
Classes will be led by Ellen & Jayson.
Semester 1 – Virtual Classes 2023
- February 15 (2 hrs)
- March 1 (2 hrs)
- March 15 (2 hrs)
- April 12
- April 26
- May 10
- May 24
- June 7
- June 21
——-
15 hrs
Semester 2 – Virtual Classes 2023
- July 5
- July 19
- August 2
- August 16
- August 30
- September 13
- September 27
- October 11
- October 25
- November 8
——
15 hrs
30 hrs of class
Self- study: Each week, you will be asked to review videos of Jayson and Ellen coaching couples. This is an excellent way to learn outside of class. In addition there will be shorter teaching videos between classes around concepts and methods used to help couples.
16 practice sessions between classes: These are 30-60 minutes of practice between classes – this is a 3-way call with your coaching peers. 15 mins each to practice coaching a role play couple.
Graduation: Graduation will happen virtually near the end of the course in 2023. You will receive a Level 1 Couples Coaching Certificate.
BONUS: Ellen offers Office Hours where you can chat one-on-one and ask your immediate questions about your couples.
Office Hours with Ellen
Every other Wednesday between classes – 10:30am – 11am MT
Semester 1 – Virtual Classes 2023
- February 22
- March 8
- March 22
- April 5
- April 19
- May 3
- May 17
- May 31
- June 14
- June 28
Semester 2 – Virtual Classes 2023
- July 12
- July 26
- August 9
- August 23
- September 6
- September 20
- October 4
- October 18
- November 1
How much time will I need to invest in this course to be successful?
Approximately 4 hours per week on average
Ready to learn the most effective approach to support couples?
(We have 25 spots available and offer this training every other year)
Coaching Clients
- During the program, you will need to work with at least one couple for a minimum of 6 sessions. TRS will provide you with that couple. If you want to work with more couples or lose a client, we’ll help you find another pair
Participation
- Attend all classes
- Complete all practice sessions between classes
How will you be supported after you receive your couples certification?
Some coaches will work with couples for a long time, and this will be their primary focus. Coaches are welcome to move toward becoming level 2 or level 3 couples coach and test when they have 400 or 1000 hours of couples work.
In addition, you will need some of your CCEs (to maintain certification) to be with couples. More on that here.
Ellen also offers regular group supervision for coaches, and is available for individual supervision as well
Ready to learn how to help couples and get paid well for doing what you love?
(We have 25 spots total and offer this training every other year)