Singapore University of Social Sciences

Level: Advanced
Duration: 4 days
Dates: 21 - 24 August 2024
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences

Synopsis

This course focuses on couple counselling based on the clinical work and research done by Drs John and Julie Gottman over the past 30 years. The Gottman Method is an approach to couple counselling that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The course aims to equip participants with knowledge and skills for assessment and intervention in couple counselling, based on the Gottman Approach which is developed by Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre Ltd (‘EMCC”) with consent from The Gottman Institute, USA. EMCC is the exclusive institutional partner of The Gottman Institute in Singapore.

Who Should Attend

This course is for professionals, both counsellors and social workers, who are working with couples and seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their therapeutic work with the couples.

Topics

• Introduction to The Gottman Couple Method 
• Myths about Dysfunctional and Failing Relationships 
• Functional Elements in Couple Relationships 
• Summary Checklist for Dysfunctional and Healthy Relationships
• The Sound Relationship House Theory
• Four Horsemen of Apocalypse
• Assessment Session 1: Couple session 
• Assessment Session 2: Individual session 
• Assessment Session 3: Conjoint session 
• Introduction to Intervention: Philosophy of Therapy
• Intervention 1: Conflict Management 
• Intervention 2: The 4 Horsemen and Their Antidotes 
• Intervention 3: Building Friendship
  
  

Objective

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Differentiate the focus between individual and couple counselling 
• Understand the research-based Gottman Approach for engagement, assessment and intervention in couple counselling
• Understand key concepts in the Sound Relationship House Theory
• Appraise couple’s narrative of their relationship and conflictual pattern of interaction 
• Understand the 16-item assessment tool for Gottman Relationship Checkup 
• Understand the Love Map as a foundational element for stable marital relationship
  

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Engage couples for assessment and intervention using the Gottman Approach 
• Appraise relational dynamics between couples 
• Apply summary checklist to identify functional and dysfunctional couple relationship 
• Identify conflictual pattern of interaction between couple 
• Apply key concepts of the Sound Relationship House Theory
• Conduct oral history interview and assess couple’s narrative of their relationship 
• Apply Gottman-Approach core intervention 1: Gottman-Rapoport Intervention 
• Apply Gottman-Approach core intervention 2: Elimination of 4-Horsemen Intervention 
• Apply Gottman-Approach core intervention 3: Love Map Tool 
  
  

Schedule

Time	Agenda
Day 1
09:00 – 10:30	Welcome and Introduction Group discussion: Individual vs Couple counselling
10:30 – 10:45	Group discussion: Individual vs Couple counselling Understanding the language of relationships
10:45 – 12:00	Understanding the language of relationships
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15:30	Role-play: Couple interviewing skills and observation
15:30 – 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Learning Objectives of this course Introduction to the Gottman Approach Research findings and theory on the Gottman Approach
16:30 – 17:30	What is “Dysfunctional” and “Functional” in Relationships?
Day 2
09:00 – 10:30	The Sound Relationship House Theory
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:00	Group discussion: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 15:30	Role-play: Interviewing a couple with a perpetual problem Assessment Session 1: Couple session Role-play: Oral history interview
15:30 - 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Assessment Session 2: Individual session The Sound Relationship House Questionnaire Enhanced Relationship Check-up video
16:30 – 17:30	Assessment
Day 3
09:00 – 10:30	Assessment Session 3: Conjoint session (contracting and goal setting)
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 - 12:00	Introduction to Intervention: The Philosophy of the Therapy
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 15: 30	Intervention 1: Gottman-Rapoport Intervention Role-play
15:30 - 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Intervention 1: Gottman-Rapoport Intervention Role-play
16:30 – 17:30	Assessment
Day 4
09:00 – 10:45	Intervention 2: Eliminating the 4 Horsemen and Replacing them with Antidotes
10:45 – 11:00	Break
11:00 – 12:30	Assessment
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch
13:30 – 15:30	Intervention 2: Eliminating the 4 Horsemen and Replacing them with Antidotes Role-play Intervention 3: Building Friendship Exercise: Gottman Love Map
15:30 – 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16.15	MCQ Quiz (Assessment)
16:15 – 17:30	Consolidation of learning points Feedback for the course    Gottman Clinical Training & Certification Track

Assessments

Skills Demonstration - Role Play Assessment (3.5hrs)

• Learner demonstrates ONE skill area and obtain group learning through feedback 
• 1 to 2 Observers in a group to feedback demonstration of skills 
• Self-reflection and observation taken in as part of learning 
• Group does round robin, so each learner gets to demonstrate one skill each 
• Skill assessment includes Couple Interview, taking Oral History, use of Gottman Rapoport
   *Trainer/Assessor visits groups to observe demonstration of learning skill and peer learning
  

Multiple Choice Quiz (0.5hr)

• A set of questions will be given to the learners to assess their understanding of the topics in line with learning outcomes. Learners must have a score of no less than 70%.
  

Requirements

• Degree in counselling, and at least 1 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work 
• Degree in related fields (psychology, social work and education), completed the 5 foundational modules, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA
• Master in Psychology or Master in Social Work, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA and completed the foundational module Practicum: Specialised Counselling Skills
  
  

About the Trainer

 

Ms Ng Ai Ling

Ng Ai Ling is an Associate Trainer with Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre Ltd. Ai Ling holds a Master of Science in Family & Systemic Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, London, and has a Level 3 Certification in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She has close to 30 years of counselling experience and practice working with adults with mental health issues/conditions, couples facing infidelity and/or undergoing divorce, families with domestic violence parenting challenges, grief and loss.  She is a clinical supervisor – providing case management supervision for social workers in family service centres and community-based mental health agencies.  She also provides individual and group supervision to counsellors in the Strengthening Families Programme@FSC.  She conducts training workshops in systemic therapy, couple counselling, working with infidelity, grief and loss.

Ai Ling believes in building safe relationships with clients and her supervisees for meaningful conversations.  She enjoys the process of helping them to unearth a deeper sense of confidence and safety through generative conversations and professional support.              

She is an accredited social worker with the Singapore Association for Social Workers and a registered counsellor with the Singapore Association for Counselling.  She is serving as a member of the SAC Ethics Board.    

 

Ms Low See Yim

Low See Yim is an Associate Trainer with Eagles Meditation & Counselling Centre Ltd. See Yim has a Bachelors in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Counselling.

See Yim has completed Level 1 and 2 of Gottman Method Couples Therapy and is a Certified Educator for The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. She has further honed her skills through specialised certifications, including becoming a Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Supervisor. Notably, she completed Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy training with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

With over two decades in the social service sector, See Yim works with couples and families grappling with a range of issues including infidelity, divorce, marital distress, grief, and loss. Beyond her clinical work, See Yim is deeply committed to grooming the next generation of practitioners. She actively engages in case management supervision for social workers in family service centres and community-based mental health agencies. Her passion for mentorship extends to providing clinical supervision to both social work and counselling trainees, imparting her extensive knowledge and skills to young professionals entering the field.

See Yim believes in facilitating personal and interpersonal growth, helping individuals navigate life's challenges and foster positive relationships.

She is an accredited social worker and supervisor recognised by Singapore Association of Social Workers, also a registered counsellor with the Singapore Association of Counselling.

 

  

Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
   
2. Application form
   
   

Course Fee

¹ Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
² Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.

• Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
• Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
• The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
• Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice

For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]