Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies (VIC)

Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies is a recognised subspecialty program within the RANZCP, which leads to the Certificate in Psychiatry - Psychotherapies. It is generally undertaken as a part-time course starting with a 6 month core program of seminars. Following the core program, trainees will then undertake 18 months of further seminars and supervised casework on their chosen modality of individual psychodynamic therapy; CBT, Family therapy or group therapy (see below for Flow Chart of Training Pathways). In 2019 the core program will not be offered via Mindful. The information below is retained as a guide only. For up-to-date information please contact the Course Coordinator directly.

Core Program Seminars

The core seminars cover the theoretical basis and application of four main modalities in psychotherapy:

· Individual Psychodynamic

· Structured (incl CBT),

· Family and couples therapy and

· group therapy.

Seminars also help trainees develop a more sophisticated understanding of psychological and developmental processes in their general psychiatry work, as well as covering assessment and referral, research into psychotherapy, the connections with neuroscience, psychotherapy combined with other treatments and psychotherapeutic approaches applied to the wider world such as disasters, refugees etc.

Core program seminars are run in a group setting and they are clinically based so that participants are encouraged to bring their clinical work for discussion.

Course Structure

Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies is a very flexible training program as it allows Registrars and Fellows to plan their own training with the assistance of the Director of Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies and is not rotation-based. The training consists of 2 years of seminars (6 months Core Program then 18 months in the chosen modality), supervised clinical cases and other requirements specific to each modality. For further information see: https://www.ranzcp.org/Pre-Fellowship/2012-Fellowship-Program/Certificates-of-Advanced-Training.aspx

RANZCP SATPsy Accreditation

Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies is one of the recognised sub-specialty advanced training programs. The training offered in Victoria is regularly reviewed and accredited by the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies (SATPsy), a subcommittee of the Committee for Training of the RANZCP. SATPsy have established guidelines for training in the psychotherapies as well as a curriculum. (see RANZCP website)

The RANZCP awards the Certificate in Psychiatry - Psychotherapies once trainees have completed the equivalent of 24 months of accredited training which includes two years of seminars ( 6 months Core Program and 18 months in the chosen modality), supervised clinical cases, infant observation for the individual psychodynamic stream and other logbook requirements e.g. a final report from the trainee of their personal assessment of the training experience.

Selection Criteria

1. Psychiatry Registrars who have completed the RANZCP requirements for basic training – the clinical exams have to be passed.

2. Psychiatrists who have completed the RANZCP training or overseas equivalent and who wish to pursue further sub-specialty training.

Training Pathways

Please click here to download the training pathways