DCP0006 - Principles of adolescent psychotherapy

Leader(s): Ms R Webb

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will present a psychodynamic framework for adolescent developmental tasks, as well as associated problems and disturbances. It will also look at both general and phase specific principles and issues in psychotherapy with adolescents for the professionals as well as for the adolescents themselves.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will be expected to:

1. Have a knowledge of a psychodynamic theoretical understanding of adolescent development, tasks and issues;
2. Have some understanding of how various levels of problems and disturbances can arise during adolescence;
3. understand basic principles in assessment for therapy with adolescents;
4. examine how adolescents may present in therapy;
5. understand basic issues which arise in working with adolescents;
6. explore the impact of working with adolescents on professionals and the importance of the process between professional and adolescent;
7. explore termination issues in working with adolescents; and
8. to explore specific issues and principles to consider in inpatient work with adolescents.

Assessment

Regular written assignments
Final written assignment
Interactive assessment via a residential workshop
1. Report 20%
2. Report 30%
3. Case presentation 40%
4. Residential workshop 10%

Prerequisites

DCP0001, DCP0002, DCP0003, DCP0004