2281 - Graduate Diploma in Child Psychotherapy Studies

This course, offered by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, is directed primarily towards health, welfare and education professionals working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioural problems and who wish to upgrade and develop their skills and understanding in the area. It aims to increase the participants' knowledge of psychoanalytic and developmental theory and the application of these to the treatment of children and adolescents with psychological difficulties, and to consider how this knowledge may be applied in their own workplace. This course does not provide specialist clinical training.

Assessment

Assessment will comprise regular and final assignments and interactive assessment via a residential workshop and threaded discussion groups via the internet.

On completion of the course graduates:

• should be critical thinkers and in addition be able to pursue lifelong learning and self directed professional development
• will be educated about the specific attitudes, knowledge and skills needed to effectively work in the area of child and adolescent mental health
• will be able to demonstrate the application of psychoanalytic and development theory to the practice of child psychotherapy, adolescent therapy, parent therapy and developmental observation
• will have a broad understanding of the cultural differences that exist in our community and have culturally responsive skills in reflection on, and recording of, observations of infants, children and adolescents in both clinical and naturalistic settings
• will be able to identify areas of further development in regard to practical skills or research interests that may lead to further training.

Students complete eight core units.

First year

• DCP0001 Psychoanalytic and developmental theories I
• DCP0002 Normal developmental observation
• DCP0003 Psychoanalytic and developmental theories II
• DCP0004 Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents

Second year

• DCP0005 Principles of child psychotherapy
• DCP0006 Principles of adolescent psychotherapy
• DCP0007 Principles of short-term therapy and crisis work
• DCP0008 Principles of working with parents

This course articulates with the Master of Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Graduate Diploma in Child Psychotherapy Studies

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.