Testimonial
Listen to previous participants' testimonials
Who is The
Playbook for?
The Playbook has been constructed and designed by Lottie Passell-Syms and Fifi Sclif for qualified Counsellors and Psychotherapists who have an interest in becoming more skilled in working therapeutically with couples.
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That said, feedback from participants on the course have shared how valuable and transformative it has been for their individual private practice work.
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Here is what is included:
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This is a comprehensive pack for working with couples
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The modules cover assessments and contracting, tools, techniques and talking therapies, communication, conflict, affairs and sex & intimacy
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Feedback from Playbook students has indicated that the rich and diverse content applies to those with little or no experience with couples to those with vast experience
What will you get from this?
This course gives you 50 hours of CPD and all of the tools, techniques and talking therapies to equip you with more structure in working with couples with confidence.
Alongside the training programme you will receive a number of documents related to enquiries, assessment and contracting, as well as homework sheets to give couples, to help set up your practice for couple work.
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This is experiential learning with a step by step guide, including:
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Assessment criteria
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Live tutor role play
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Techniques and home play for clients
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Skills practice
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Robust contract and business plan
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This course alone is not in and of itself a route to the Society’s Accredited Register nor does it guarantee a change in registrant grade for Registrant members, nor does it guarantee a higher entry level of Registrant grade on application to the Society. It is also important to note that this training does not qualify graduates direct entry to the NCPS Relationship Register but could be included as part of a ‘portfolio route’ application for NCPS Registrant members.
What is included in the course?
1) Teaching material on all the assessments available to use and modify to your practice
2) Description & outline of homework for clients outside of the therapy room
3) Introduction to intimacy, psychosexual and variations of sexual practice
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4) Discussions in the full group of the material being presented, including opportunities to ask questions and check understanding
5) Considerations and process for intake, history-taking and assessment, and therapeutic process with couples and other relationships
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6) Experiential exercises to embed understanding of the material presented
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7) Work in small groups (dyads, triads) as skills practice using the taught material
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*This course alone is not in and of itself a route to the Society’s Accredited Register nor does it guarantee a change in registrant grade for Registrant members, nor does it guarantee a higher entry level of Registrant grade on application to the Society. It is also important to note that this training does not qualify graduates direct entry to the NCPS Relationship Register but could be included as part of a ‘portfolio route’ application for NCPS Registrant members.
About Lottie
Sex & Intimacy Specialist
I have worked with couples for many years, and over that time I have had to think outside the box. I describe myself as an enabling therapist allowing for my clients to feel heard.
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I facilitate permanent change, mapping cognitive learning throughout the therapy sessions.
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​Through the Playbook I will give you a strategic plan on how to work with couples, a guide on how to think on your feet and loads of practical recommendations all in a inclusive and directive coaching style.
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Allowing you to feel and be more confident to hold that place for your clients.
About Fi
Mindset & Business Coach
Hello, I'm Fi, a dedicated Business and Mindset Coach for Counsellors. My expertise lies in empowering Therapists to transform their mindset, master marketing strategies, and achieve financial growth. Throughout the cover we touch on elevating your online visibility, positioning your expertise, and diversifying your income streams by expanding your service offerings.
Incorporating a coaching element with the invaluable insights from Lottie creates a powerful synergy. This combination is especially beneficial for those new to working with couples, ensuring you seamlessly integrate new clients into your weekly schedule for optimal success.
We cover your business identity and shadow self, aligning your authentic self with your values and purpose. We look at target audiences, emphasising the need for refreshed copy and a robust online presence. As a trained Mindfulness Life Coach, I will also be bringing in breathing techniques, powerful visualisations and mindset tools to help you step into the Leader that you are.
A breakdown of each session:
Fri 7th Mar 2025 & Sat 8th Mar 2025, 10am - 5pm each day
Assessments, Contracts & Skills Practice
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What to expect from working with couples & what couples should expect when working with you (How to work with [Insert your name] given to use in your practice)
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Setting the tone, boundaries and therapeutic relationship within the first session
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Enquiry form, assessment, contract & homework sheets given available to use and modify to your practice
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Identifying early on the communication, behaviours and attitudes of the couple and how to navigate these
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Introduction of tools used with couples including psycho education
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The business side of being a couples therapist (fees, hours, paperwork, marketing)
Fri 4th Apr 2025 & Sat 5th Apr 2025, 10am - 5pm each day
Tools, Techniques & Talking Therapies
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Using tools & techniques with couples when & how
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Experiential exercises to embed understanding of the material presented
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Curveballs: How to handle unexpected situations
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Discussions in the full group of the material being presented, including opportunities to ask questions and check understanding
Fri 16th May 2025 & Sat 17th May 2025, 10am - 5pm each day
Conflict, Communication & Affairs
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Communication and conflict - styles, causes and resolutions
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Further tools to be used with couples to enhance their understanding of their behaviours to better communicate or ‘argue well’
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The types of affairs couples can have explained and what repair can look like
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Unconscious Uncoupling: the process of amicably ending a relationship with respect, compassion & mindfulness
Fri 20th Jun 2025 & Sat 21st Jun 2025, 10am - 5pm each day
Sex & Intimacy
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What does sex mean to us and how comfortable do we feel talking about sex with our clients
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Your assessment form in relation to sex and the importance of taking this information at the start
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How to re-start your couples having sex when there have been very long dry spells
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Tools & techniques to increase intimacy and desire
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Normalising high and low libido and working with what you have
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Introduction to sexual dysfunctions
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A little bit about Tantra (Lottie uses Tantra with her couples to enhance their sex life - through non-touch work)
Julie Hayes (Therapist)
I feel like I am becoming part of a wider group of couples therapists and this is so good for me.
I felt very supported and know this will help my confidence grow.
I also love the sharing ethos of the group.
S. Hayes-Davis (Therapist)
Lottie and Fifi are an amazing duo, making the course fun and high energy.
The content of the course is based on real experiences, tools and demos, ensuring we have everything we need to develop into effective couples counsellors.
H. Purslow (Therapist)
What struck me about this course it’s not just about delivering training, it’s about creating a network together to help as many as we can. I just love this Ethos.
I am so grateful to be on by course, the training was so informative and empowering.
Where is the course?
The training will take place in person at:
New Place Hotel and Conference Centre
(Stratford Suite)
Shirrell Heath
Southampton
SO32 2JY
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Directions for New Place can be found HERE
Or you can use What 3 Words:
Formation Puzzle Cabbies
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There is ample free parking.
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​Each day is 10am - 5pm and the price includes refreshments, with a 2 course lunch.
What is the investment?
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Limited-Time Offer: Save £150 on any payment option below!
Payment Options:
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1. Pay in Full: £1,500
Secure your place immediately upon payment
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2. Three Instalments: £550 each
The first instalment secures your place
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3. Six Instalments: £300 each
The first instalment secures your place
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To qualify for the course, you must already be a qualified Counsellor. There are no restrictions on how long you must have been qualified; we've had students who qualified less than a year.
You can go ahead and secure your booking by choosing from the following links.
Please also make sure you have filled in the Booking Form.
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If you have any questions you’d like to get answered prior to paying, then please get in touch here.
The cost of the training includes all training materials, refreshments and a gorgeous two courses buffet lunch, snacks, teas and coffees throughout each day.
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This is a very exciting opportunity - we hope to see you there and really looking forward to working with you.
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Lottie & Fi x