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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Advanced therapeutic relationships short course
Research shows that a positive therapeutic relationship is more important to successful therapy than specific techniques. This 25-hour CPD course will help you build the skills to enhance this relationship across its lifespan, supporting you to form, maintain and end it effectively. Drawing on the latest research, you'll explore different aspects and approaches to the therapeutic relationship and gain practical tools to manage relational challenges. The course is designed to develop advanced, practice-relevant competencies to support progression to Column B of the SCoPEd framework. Upon successful completion, you'll receive a CPD certificate.
This CPD course is designed to advance your knowledge and practical skills in managing the therapeutic relationship which will improve your practice, because the way clients and therapists engage greatly influences the success of therapy. It is organised into five units:
Unit 1: Introduction sets up the course by showing the importance of the therapeutic relationship and current research on this subject. You will assess your abilities in handling the therapeutic relationship as you start the course.
Unit 2: The Beginning explores what to consider during the first sessions of therapy. You’ll be introduced to the nature and role of the therapeutic relationship, the factors that help or hinder developing a good therapeutic alliance, and how explicit communication can build the relationship. Issues of diversity and power, and how to manage these as in the therapeutic relationship, will also be covered.
Unit 3: The Middle focuses on key aspects of working with the therapeutic relationship during the core part of the therapeutic process. You’ll learn about maintaining and breaking boundaries, navigating and repairing ruptures in the therapeutic alliance, the ideas of transference and countertransference, and the concept of relational depth. Throughout the unit, you’ll learn the theory behind these ideas, see what research says, and gain insights into how they apply to clinical practice. You'll also engage with clinical examples and case studies and reflect on your own skills.
Unit 4: The End looks at the different types of endings in therapy and how they affect the therapist-client relationship. This crucial phase brings its unique challenges, whether planned or unplanned, such as when the therapist dies unexpectedly, or a client misses their final session. Psychotherapy offers a unique opportunity for a meaningful ending experience, where a good therapeutic relationship may continue in the client’s mind.
Unit 5: Conclusion reflects on how your understanding of working with the therapeutic relationship has broadened. It reassesses your competencies and provides resources for further study.
The course aligns with SCoPEd (The Scope of Practice and Education) framework Column B competences that are relevant to working with the therapeutic relationship. Completing this course will enhance your knowledge and confidence, helping counsellors and psychotherapists to offer counselling from a relational perspective.
By studying this CPD course you will gain:
This course will support counsellors and psychotherapists to develop an advanced understanding of how to work effectively with the therapeutic relationship. The course has been developed to align to the shared SCoPEd competencies framework column B for Theme 3: Therapeutic Relationships.
This short course offers online learning and contains self-study materials to be studied at your own pace. There is no learner support from learning advisers available on this course.
There is no formal assessment, although there will be pauses for reflection and ‘review and reflect’ points built into the course which you will use to reflect on your understanding. You will complete an end-of-course multiple-choice quiz to test your learning.
In total, this course will require around 25 hours to complete. Learners are advised to complete within two months.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials are delivered entirely online. You’ll have access to a course website, which includes:
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal entry requirements. This course is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists as well as counselling and psychotherapy trainees.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DGXS003 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£200
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
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