Couple Counselling: Emotionally - Focused Couple Therapy (Classroom & Synchronous) (CET339)

Date: 21, 22, 31 July (Face to Face) , 30 July 2026 (Zoom)
Duration: 4 days
Level: Advanced
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences and ZOOM

Synopsis

This course provides participants with theories on love relationship and attachment between adults, as well as the process of addressing and healing distressed relationships. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples is an experiential/systemic therapy which focuses on helping spouses/partners restructure the emotional responses that maintain their negative interaction patterns. Participants will learn the nine therapeutic steps in EFT. The course will also equip participants with basic EFT skills to direct couples away from conflict deadlocks into forming new bonding interactions in their relationships.

Who Should Attend

This programme is for professionals, as well as individuals embarking on a career switch into the social service sectors seeking to gain mastery in the Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) approach, specialising in couple relationships.

Topics

• Current Couple Theory and Challenges
• Theoretical Background to Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
• The EFT Framework (Stages 1 – 3, Steps 1 – 9)
• EFT Interventions
• Impasse in couple counselling
• Special Issues in EFT Couple Work
• EFT Case Discussion
  

Objective

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

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

• Discuss the underpinnings and stages of Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
• Explain the linkages of emotions and attachment needs with the interactions between spouses/partners
• Describe the applications of EFT interventions
• Understand how the therapist is able to overcome therapeutic impasses in EFT couple therapy
  
  

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

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

• Demonstrate ability to apply some of the EFT intervention skills
• Develop intervention plans to address emotional distress and de-escalate destructive interaction patterns
• Strengthen positive interactions for couples to renew trust and intimacy
• Identify strengths in the couple relationship
  
  
  

Schedule

Assessments

Online Test (0.5 hour)

• The online quiz will be conducted in a form of Multiple-Choice Quiz format.
• This online quiz would be able to test the participants’ theoretical knowledge about the course.
• A total of 50% or 50 marks of the total mark will be allocated to this segment.

Demonstration (2.5 hours)

• The participants will go into groups where they will role-play as couples, clients, assessors, counsellors and observers.  The trainer will move among the groups to make individual assessments.
• Through this role play, the participants would be able to demonstrate their abilities to apply some EFT intervention skills learnt in class.
• A total of 50% or 50 marks of the total mark will be allocated to this segment.
  

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

Mr Tony Ong
Tony is the Clinical Director of Counselling and Care Centre. Tony’s other experiences include working in family service centres and a child protection specialist centre in a career that spans 31 years. On top of his current role in providing directions for clinical development in his centre, Tony also provides individual, couple and family therapy, consultation and supervision. Tony has also been conducting training for counsellors, social workers, psychologists and other related professions in Singapore, Malaysia, Mongolia and Indonesia.

Tony has a Bachelor of Arts from National University of Singapore in Social Work and Psychology and holds a Masters Degree in Counselling. In addition, he is trained in Systems Approach to couples and marital therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Tony is a member of International Centre of Excellent for Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and is a certified EFT Therapist. He is also a Supervisor Candidate of ICEEFT.

Tony is a Master Clinical Member and Recognised Clinical Supervisor with the Singapore Association of Counselling, a registered social worker with Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board and a Clinical Member of Association for Marital and Family Therapy, Singapore.

 

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 the various payment modes, please refer here.

Course Withdrawal and Refund

Request for withdrawal from a course must be submitted to SUSS Academy formally in writing.

• Course Withdrawal before Application Close Date: No charges.
• Course Withdrawal after course confirmation: 50% of the full course fee with an administration fee imposed.
• Course Withdrawal after the course commences: Full course fee applies.

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

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