PORT Internship

40-Week Programme - Relate - Steven Dromgool

How I Learned to Steady the Room for Couples Therapy (and why this exists)

I’m Steven Dromgool, Clinical Director at Relate and creator of Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT). In my first year of placement I sat in with Anton Roost, an experienced clinician who worked with male survivors of sexual abuse. Watching him in the room—without the pressure to lead—changed how I understood therapy. I saw how a steady clinician tracked micro‑moments, paced breath and voice, and made contact that allowed the work to happen. Afterwards, I stepped into my own sessions with his observations and direct, kind feedback.

The following year I worked within the Safe Network with adolescent sexual offenders alongside a highly experienced team. Much of our work was co‑therapy. I learned what competence felt like from the inside—where I was solid and where I needed to grow. I watched real therapy—not polished clips—and how seasoned clinicians adjusted in real time. I’d think, “I would try that differently,” and then have the support to try.

Those experiences formed a conviction: if you want to learn this work, get alongside people who are doing it. Observe closely, practice safely, and receive specific feedback. The PORT Internship exists to give you that same foundation—so you leave with confidence, community, and a clear way to help couples in need.

Why PORT Training Matters

• You want confidence in the room, not just another certificate.
• You don’t want to do this alone—you want real‑time guidance and people to lean on.
• You want appropriate clients so your learning happens in real work, not just lectures.

Who you leave with (PORT cohort & community)

• A close cohort of peers who train beside you for 40 weeks—relationships that last beyond graduation.
• Peer supervision with the whole Relate Team—shared language and standards so feedback is precise and kind.
• Connections into the wider Relate community through team trainings and supervisions—practical relationships, not just names on a list.
• The grounded confidence to meet couples in need with a structure you can rely on when sessions get hot.

What you’ll actually be able to do

• De‑escalate in the room—track bodies and breath; bring arousal back inside the window.
• Run clean enactments—equitable turn‑taking, concise prompts, real contact.
• Catch and consolidate repair so change sticks between sessions.
• Hold yourself—because your physiology is part of the intervention.

How we work (40‑week rhythm)

• Weekly: practice block or review
• Fortnightly: intern‑only supervision (video review sessions)
• Alternating fortnights: peer review groups
• First Thursday each month: peer supervision with the whole Relate Team
• Third Thursday each month: team training

Clients, progression, and readiness

We screen and match appropriate clients to you, and you can bring your own. Verified hours from other workplaces count toward your level progression here, so you can move faster. By year’s end you’ll have a clear pathway into full team work, supported by the peers you trained with.

Clients are seen at very reduced, experience‑tiered rates, with a small honorarium paid to interns at the higher levels.

Choose your internship training pace

Core Track

A structured year of weekly practice, fortnightly intern‑only supervision (video review sessions), peer reviews, and team contact—everything you need to get steady in the room.

Pro Track (limited 3–5 seats)

• Designed for therapists who are ready to start seeing clients soon—or already have clients.
• Includes priority client matching (aim to begin 2–3 new cases in the first 6–8 weeks).
• Two small‑group consults with Steven and one 30‑minute 1:1 mentor call.
• Quarterly Pro practice blocks with higher‑intensity feedback.
• Portfolio package (skills transcript; supervisor reference where appropriate).

Trust, privacy, and ethics

• Video review sessions use de‑identified clips and explicit client consent.
• We focus on learning, not exposure—your growth is held with care.
• CE/CPD is included for PORT (20h) and Better After Betrayal (20h); recognition is determined by your local board/body.

What happens after you apply

1. 15‑minute screen: we check fit, your starting level, and availability.
2. Onboarding: community guidelines, video review session setup, and calendar/profile support.
3. First month: rhythm established; you’ll begin practice blocks and your first community reviews.

Finding Your Why — Mapping the Sexual and Developmental Blueprint

A deep‑dive to clarify the personal patterns you bring to the work. We connect theory to your lived experience so you can work more cleanly, with less strain.

What you receive over 40 weeks

• PORT Level 1 & Level 2 training (20h, CE/CPD)
• Better After Betrayal training (20h, CE/CPD)
• Weekly skills & practice blocks with feedback
• Intern‑only supervision (fortnightly) as video review sessions
• Peer supervision with the whole Relate Team (1st Thu)
• Team training (3rd Thu) and access to the wider Relate community
• Finding Your Why — Mapping the Sexual and Developmental Blueprint
• Case templates and a clear rubric for video review sessions
• Relate profile and calendar setup so clients can find you
• Training library access during your cohort

A simple promise

If by week 6 the fit isn’t right, we’ll credit your tuition toward individual supervision or a future intake. No blame, no drama.

If this resonates

Book a 15‑minute screen. We’ll check fit, schedule, and your starting level—then map a safe, simple way to begin. Come meet the cohort you could train with, and the team who will have your back.

Practicalities

We price by region to keep access fair. You can choose a Core or Pro pathway depending on how quickly you want to begin with clients and how much direct support you want from me. Payment plans are available. Scholarships may be offered case‑by‑case for access and equity. We’ll cover the practical details in your screen after we’ve confirmed the fit.

How PORT compares to other Relationship Therapy Training

All four pathways are valuable. This is how the PORT Internship differs in structure and day‑to‑day experience. Details for other programmes vary by provider; always check their official sites for the latest format and requirements.

Note: Descriptions below are high‑level and intended to help you choose a fit. Always confirm scope, format, supervision requirements, and CE/CPD with each programme’s official provider.