How to Feel More Confident Working with Couples - with Claire Ratcliffe

Working with couples can feel very different from working with individual clients. There are two people in the room, two different perspectives and the added challenge of managing what happens between them. In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I talk to integrative psychotherapist, couples therapist and clinical supervisor Claire Ratcliffe about how therapists can feel more confident working with couples. Claire shares that she didn't always enjoy couples work. Despite completing couples therapy training, she initially felt out of her depth and eventually removed couples counselling from her profile altogether. It was only when she found an approach that suited her, alongside specialist training and supervision, that her experience began to change. Today, couples work is something she loves. We talk about what makes couples counselling so rewarding, as well as some of the challenges therapists can face when working with more than one client in the room and how to handle them. Towards the end of our conversation, we return to something that made a huge difference to both Claire's experience and my own reflections on working with couples: supervision. Claire explains why specialist couples supervision matters and how learning alongside other therapists can help you develop your skills and feel less alone when the work feels challenging. Claire is also developing a group supervision membership for couples and relationship therapists, with opportunities to learn through case discussion and shared experience. You can find out more about Claire and her supervision offer through the links below. In this episode, we discuss: • Why Claire initially stopped offering couples counselling • The difference the right training and specialist supervision can make • What Claire now loves about working with couples • How childhood experiences and trauma can play out within relationships • Helping partners listen without immediately reacting or making it about themselves • Why slowing things down can be so important in couples therapy • Sex, shame and differences in desire within relationships • Resentment, contempt and what can happen when couples seek help very late • Why couples therapists can benefit from learning together in supervision • What to do if you want to work with couples but don't yet feel confident If you've ever received an enquiry from a couple and wondered whether you're really equipped to help them, I hope this conversation reassures you that feeling out of your depth doesn't necessarily mean couples work isn't for you. Sometimes it means you need more training, more support and the opportunity to learn alongside people who understand the particular challenges of the work. About Claire Ratcliffe Claire Ratcliffe is an integrative psychotherapist, couples therapist and clinical supervisor. She works extensively with relationships, trauma and psychosexual issues and is passionate about helping other therapists develop their confidence in couples work. Claire also hosts the Healing Relationships: With Ourselves, Others & The World podcast and shares relationship education on TikTok. You can find out more about Claire and her supervision on her website, HERE (https://www.claireratcliffepsychother...) Therapy Growth Group If this episode has got you thinking about the support you'd like with your own private practice, you can also find details of Therapy Growth Group below. From the week beginning 12 October, we'll be spending four weeks exploring your niche: who you most want to help, how you uniquely help them, why clients might choose you and how you can communicate that clearly to prospective clients. Therapy Growth Group includes regular live calls where you can ask questions, get feedback and connect with other therapists building their private practices. Find out more on Josephine's website, https://josephinehughes.com You can also find me here: The Good Enough Counsellors (  / goodenoughcounsellors  ) Facebook Group Josephine Hughes on Facebook (  / goodenoughcounsellors  ) Josephine Hughes on YouTube (   / @goodenoughcounsellors  ) My website: josephinehughes.com (https://josephinehughes.com) Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE (https://mailchi.mp/81fd81e0a3d7/setup...) Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE (https://mailchi.mp/66c595f1ecbf/21-wa...) Keywords: couples counselling, couples therapy, working with couples, couples counsellor, relationship therapy, relationship counselling, therapist confidence, couples therapy training, couples therapy supervision, relationship therapist, clinical supervision, counselling supervision, private practice therapist, couples therapy skills, trauma and relationships, childhood tra...