Module: Working with Adult Intimate Relationships

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Working with Adult Intimate Relationships
Module Code	PST1000 (ITS: NS5017)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module prepares and equips students to work in the specialised field of working psychotherapeutically with couples and relationships, with clients presenting with transient relationship issues. The module has been designed to assist students to become proficient in the practice of integrative couple therapy. Students will learn how to apply and integrate Humanistic, Cognitive-Behavioural, Psychodynamic and Systemic theoretical approaches to practice in the context of the learning group. The module will raise students’ awareness of the nuances and challenges of working therapeutically with relationship discord/ breakdown and with individuals and couples who present with domestic violence. Students will be provided with lectures, seminar groups, couple therapy skills practice as well as opportunities for experiential learning and personal/ professional development via on-campus activities. Four sessions of this module will be delivered in-person with one session delivered online.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically examine theories and strategies associated with couple therapy and discuss how these significantly differ from individual psychotherapeutic practice
2. Discern the most appropriate theoretical approach or integration of approaches, including humanistic, cognitive- behavioural, systemic and psychodynamic perspectives, to assist relationships in difficulty
3. Provide brief integrative couples and relationship therapy which addresses transient issues
4. Recognise contraindications to couples and relationship therapy, for example, domestic violence, substance abuse and significant mental health issues
5. Understand the emotional and psychological consequences of relationship breakdown and the complexity of blended families
6. Critically examine critical and ethical issues related to couples and intimate relationships

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	15	Didactic Teaching/Lectures
Directed learning	15	Seminar Groups; Application of Theory to Practice: Couple Therapy Skills Practice
Tutorial	5	Tutor led formative engagement with individual students and learning groups
Independent Study	90	Self-directed learning; Course Reading; Literature Searching; Assignment Preparation and Submission; Personal and Professional Awareness Activities.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20835	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie Finan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Essay 2500 words	100%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	S,s,
Co-requisite	,
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Adult Intimate Relationships
Through lectures, reading and discussion students will develop an appreciation of the nuances and complexity of the specialised field of adult intimate relationships

Integrative Psychotherapy
By engaging in case conceptualisation and psychotherapeutic practice, students will learn how to practice integrative psychotherapy conflict and crisis as it can present in adult intimate relationships.

Contraindications to working psychotherapeutically with adult intimate relationships
Recognition of contraindications to working psychotherapeutically with adult intimate relationships, for example, domestic violence, substance abuse and significant mental health issues

Personal reflection
Demonstrate an in-depth reflexive awareness of self with respect to personal experiences of adult intimate relationships and professional experiences of working therapeutically with individuals and couples presenting with relationship difficulties

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Dattilio, F.M: 2010, Cognitive- Behavioural Therapy with Couples and Families, Guilford, New York,
Gurman, A.S., Lebow, J.L., Synder, D.K.: 2015, Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, 5th, Guilford Press, New York,
Neilsen, A.C. (2016): 2016, A Roadmap for Couple Therapy: Integrating Systemic, Psychodynamic, and Behavioral Approaches. Routledge, 1st, All, Routledge, New York and London,
O'Leary, C: 1999, Counselling couples and families: A Person-centered approach, Sage, London,
Carr, A: 2006, Family Therapy Concepts, Process and Practice, 2nd, Wiley, Chichester,
Cooper, J. Vetere, A.: 2006, Domestic Violence and Family Safety., London : Whurr,
Crowe, M., & Ridley, R.: 2000, Therapy with couples., London: Blackwell,
Dattilio, F: 2006, Relationship Dysfunction: A Practitionerâ€™s Guide to Comparative Treatments, Springer, New York,
Gilbert, M., Schmukler, D.: 2001, Brief Therapy with Couples: An Integrative Approach., New York: Wiley,
Gottman, J: 2007, Why marriages succeed and fail, Bloomsbury, London,
Gurman, A.S. (Ed): 2008, The Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, 4th, Guilford, New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

Module Coordinator - Stephanie Finan/ Stephanie.finan@dcu.ie