DCP0005

Principles of child psychotherapy ( 6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Ms J Adler

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: This unit will outline the principles of Child Psychotherapy from a developmental and psychoanalytic perspective. It will address the context and boundaries of therapy, explore ways the child communicates in therapy and will address issues of technique.

Objectives: At the completion of this unit students will be expected to have an understanding and knowledge of: 1. the means by which the child communicates in therapy eg. through play, speech and other behaviours; 2. the significance and meaning of the way the child relates to the therapist ie. an understanding of the concepts of transference ( the way the child perceives and relates to the therapist) and countertransference (the way therapist reacts to the child) and the possible meanings of these concepts and their importance; 3. the use of interpretation in therapy - timing content and intention; 4. the significance and importance of boundaries and structure provided by the therapist; 5. termination - the process of bringing the therapy to a conclusion; and 6. the impact of working with the disturbed child including the disturbed child in special situations - understanding this in a way which furthers understanding of the child and the therapeutic process.

Assessment: Regular written assignments + Final written assignment + Interactive assessment via a residential workshop 1. Assignment 20% 2. Assignment 20% 3. Assignment 40% 4. Residential workshop 20%

Prerequisites: DCP0001, DCP0002, DCP0003, DCP0004