HOW TO BECOME A RELATIONSHIP COUNSELOR IN INDIA?

 

 Ishita Wadhwani and Prerna Singh

 

Becoming a Marriage Counselor/ Couple Therapist/ Relationship Counselor

 

No relationship is perfect. Sometimes we even see our parents getting into occasional altercations arising due to differences in opinions. But when these short-term, casual conflicts turn into violent, long- term shouting matches, then they can be a reason for unwanted bitterness and toxicity in a relationship. This is where couples might need assistance from a trained professional who has a knack for settling disputes and bringing back peace to their lives.

 

WHAT IS RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING?

 

The term "Relationship Counseling" can be used as an umbrella term for "Couple Counseling," "Couple Therapy," "Marriage Counseling," "Pre-marital Counseling," and even "Family therapy."

This process of Relationship Counseling provides a safe space for the two people in conflict to express their distress and specific concerns. At the same time, they are being heard by the counselor with an attitude of neutrality to both sides. 

The most common of such issues brought forth during couple counseling include dissatisfaction, jealousy, communication problems, infidelity, sexual difficulties, substance abuse, domestic violence, divorce, etc. 

 

WHAT DO THESE COUNSELORS DO?

 

 

Their job is to address the needs of the two people. They need to understand the root cause of the resentment among the couple and then find ways to harmonize them. 

To be able to do this, they have to determine the motivations of their clients. By knowing the background of the persons involved, their relationship history, mapping out, any childhood events affecting the clients' behaviors towards each other, their attachment styles, their expectations from each other, any communication gap, their hopes and fears, they analyze the problems arising in the relationship. 

Then, they work towards resolving those problems in several ways, depending on the issues concerned. These methods may include- talk therapy, behavioral therapy, educating the couple in effective communication techniques and better parenting methods, providing financial counseling, having the couple role-play difficult situations, and addressing sexual dysfunction, infidelity, etc.

 

Related Post: How to Become a Career Counselor in India

 

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB INCLUDE:

A relationship counselor's job demands him/her to possess excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, objectivity, impartiality, problem-solving, organizational skills, and other counselor-essential skills like good listening skills, compassion, emotional stability, boundary-setting, etc.

 

WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A RELATIONSHIP COUNSELOR?

 

Aspiring Relationship counselors have a lot of different educational pathways to choose from, but the best way to become one is by following these steps down here:  

INSTITUTES

There is no such authorized organization or degrees offered in relationship counseling in India. Although there are a few institutes providing Certificate courses or PG Diploma in the field, which are listed below:

 

 

 

Related Post: NCERT Diploma Course in Guidance and Counseling

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Relationship counselors usually work in individual and family services, social service agencies, government, nursing, essential care facilities, hospitals, etc. They deal with marital conflicts and problems like child/adult abuse, adoption, juvenile delinquency, etc.

 

By being a couple counselor, your role will be to make people perceive their marriage as an empowering and intimate bond that offers contentment to both the souls, despite being mistaken as a compromise done by getting arranged to a partner of their family's will.