Shaping the Future of Psychosexual Therapy Training in N.I. & R.O.I.

The Cross Border Centre of Excellence in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy is a first-of-its-kind specialist training hub designed specifically for practitioners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Based outside Belfast, this Centre of Excellence brings together:

The Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology (CICS): Contributing long-established clinical authority and world-class specialist training expertise in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy.
A Safe Space to be Me: Renowned as a forefront provider for ADHD and Mental Health provision, they are an established Northern Ireland training provider with nearly a decade of regional credibility and are an NCPS Approved Provider.

As the demand for qualified psychosexual and relationship therapists continues to grow across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, there has never been a more vital time to deepen your clinical expertise. Our new Qualifying Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy offers you a unique opportunity to develop a highly specialised professional identity within a supportive, pluralistic framework.

By joining this contextually adapted programme, you aren't just gaining a qualification; you are stepping into a community of practitioners dedicated to shaping the future of sexology. We invite you to explore the full curriculum, clinical requirements and flexible payment options below to see how this journey can re-energise your purpose and future-proof your career.

Course Copyright Notice

The structure, syllabus, learning outcomes, teaching frameworks and written content of this course are the intellectual property of Contemporary Psychotherapy Ltd (CICS). This material is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced without permission. View our full website T&Cs here.

Strategic Specialist Training for the Modern Practitioner

Choosing the right path for your specialist development is about finding a balance between rigorous clinical standards and a deep understanding of the environment in which you practice. This Diploma is more than just a training course; it is a carefully crafted experience that merges the world-class expertise of CICS with the regional heart of A Safe Space to be Me.

These are the six pillars that define our commitment to your growth as a practitioner in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland:

1. Collaboration with credibility at its core

This is more than a training course; it is a strategic collaboration. By combining:

CICS’ long-established Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy clinical authority and specialist training expertise; with:
A Safe Space to be Me’s reputation as the forefront for ADHD and Mental health provision combined with being an established, NCPS-approved training provider in Northern Ireland

This programme offers a level of credibility, trust, and regional relevance that is unmatched by other providers.

2. A First-of-Its-Kind, Cross Border Specific Curriculum

We believe that effective therapy cannot exist in a vacuum. To ensure your training is as relevant as it is rigorous, this Diploma has been thoughtfully adapted to honor the unique landscape of your practice. Our curriculum deeply reflects:

An authentic exploration of the cultural, historical, and political contexts that shape the lives of clients across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Comprehensive guidance on the distinct legal frameworks governing practice both North and South.
A focus on the genuine, everyday realities faced by those working and living within these jurisdictions.

3. Pluralistic Clinical Framework

Our course is deeply rooted in a pluralistic framework, built upon the fundamental recognition that no single therapeutic approach can ever fit the diverse needs of every client. As a student, you will be trained to work with fluidity across multiple evidence-based models, allowing you to respond authentically to the unique values and personal preferences of those you support.

By integrating a sophisticated bio-psycho-social understanding into your daily practice, you will graduate with far more than just academic knowledge; you will possess the clinical confidence and professional adaptability required to thrive in modern practice.

4. Blended learning for working professionals

Our learning model is built with the busy practitioner in mind. We’ve carefully designed the schedule to ensure your specialist training feels like a supportive extension of your work, rather than a competing demand.

Course time is set out as follows:

70% In-Person Training: Practical, experiential learning at our Belfast-based hub.
30% Live Online Learning: Interactive digital sessions.
E-Learning Centre: 24/7 access to our comprehensive library of video lectures and resources.
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday, one weekend per month.

5. Master the nuances of modern practice

This curriculum invites you to deepen your clinical lens and develop specialist competence in the vital, contemporary issues facing clients in 2026 and beyond, including:

Sexual function and dysfunction.
Sexual diversities, GSRD identities, Kink and BDSM.
Working with couples and multiple partnered people.
Trauma-informed work (Childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence).
Clinical Hours: 200 hours of supervised clinical practice and 50 hours of personal therapy.

6. Professional recognition and future-proofing your career

We are currently working towards professional body accreditation with a member of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB). The course is designed to meet required SCoPEd framework standards, positioning you for:

Specialist practice in a high-demand field.
Increased employability and referral opportunities.
Trauma-informed work (Childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence).

Who is this course for?

This is an advanced, specialist qualification designed for:

Qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.
Practitioners seeking to expand into psychosexual and relationship therapy.
Therapists wanting to deepen their work with complex sexual and relational presentations.

Why choose this course?

Join the region's only cross-border Centre of Excellence dedicated exclusively to clinical sexology for practitioners in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Benefit from a curriculum delivered in partnership with A Safe Space to be Me, an NCPS-approved provider with a decade of regional training credibility.
Study at a geographically central Belfast hub designed to be both financially viable and easily accessible for professionals traveling from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Develop a highly specialised clinical identity that meets the growing, unmet demand for expert psychosexual and relationship therapy in today's healthcare landscape.
Reconnect with your professional purpose by joining a dedicated community of practitioners who are actively shaping the future of sexology across these jurisdictions.

Your Financial Investment

Total Fee: £7,800 (including VAT)
Deposit: £600
Monthly Payment Plan: £300 over 24 months

Qualifying Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy

Bespoke psychosexual and relationship therapy training designed for the unique cultural, legal and political landscapes of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.