An Introduction to Working with Childfree, Questioning & Ambivalent Clients
LEVEL
Professional Development
AWARD
PCI College Certificate of Attendance
COURSE STATUS
Open for Applications
DURATION
1
day(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
6 Jun 2026
LOCATIONS
Online
This CPD equips practitioners to work confidently and ethically with clients navigating one of the most socially charged decisions of adult life: whether to become a parent.
This is the first of its kind training to be delivered in Ireland on the topic of working with clients on the decision-making process of whether they want to become parents or not.
Data shows that in Europe and America, up to 1 in 4 women are not having children. This can be due to infertility and life circumstances, but a growing minority of people are also choosing not to have children for a wide variety of reasons. Some people may not find this decision difficult in itself, but may still experience stigma and social pressure; others may find it to be a source of some anxiety and questioning, while others may find themselves firmly stuck in an anxious ambivalence and not know how to proceed in any direction. We as therapists can no longer assume that everyone wants to, can or is going to have children, and we can provide a very valuable objective space to facilitate clients to work towards finding their own answers for what is right for them. This training focuses on working with individual clients of any gender or sexuality regarding a proactive choice to have children or not.
Who is this course for?
This course will benefit a range of professionals who work with people who may already have chosen to be childfree or those who are currently trying to make the decision of whether they want to become parents or not. This could include counsellors and psychotherapists, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, social workers, community and support workers etc.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
- Understanding of the role of pronatalism on both clients and professionals and its impact on how we view choices around parenthood
- Exploring the context and variable factors which can influence a person’s decision to want to become a parent or not, and their experience of that decision making process.
- Increased awareness of the role of the brain and social safety concerns in this decision-making process
- Awareness of specific approaches, tools and resources to use with clients around this topic.
- Expansion of your therapeutic skill set to work with existing and new clients facing stigma and social pressure on this topic.
Syllabus
- Language and terminology used in this area
- Pronatalism – what it is and its far-reaching impact
- The types of decision-making processes your client may be going through around becoming a parent or not
- The many factors which can influence the client’s individual circumstances and feelings about the decision
- Common fears and blocks around choosing yes and no to becoming a parent
- The role of the brain and social safety concerns
- When the answer is no – dealing with stigma and social pressure
- Tools and exercises to support your clients at the various stages of their decision-making process.
Eligibility
This is a CPD workshop specifically designed for Counsellors & Psychotherapists or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training. BSc Counselling & Psychotherapy students in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 of their studies are all invited to apply for this CPD workshop.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Republic of Ireland
Course Total