The DPC Advanced can be completed as theory only, or theory + skills.
Theory
Offered over three terms on Wednesday mornings, starting at 9:30am.
Term 1: Using theory to understand the relational world of children and adolescents (9:30am-12 midday)
- Introduction and overview of the unit and course
- Attachment and interpersonal neurobiology
- General psychodynamic theory as it relates to working with children and adolescents
- General psychodynamic theory as it relates to working with parents and systems
- General structured theory as it relates to working with children and adolescents
- General structured theory as it relates to working with parents and systems
- Ideas from family therapy
- Working with those we identify as 'others': the role of culture
- Practical implications (assessing developmental level for the purposes of therapy; reviewing what is working and what is not; self-care for clinicians)
Term 2: Working with children (9:30am-11:30am)
- Introduction and overview of the unit and course: how working with children is different to working with adolescents and adults
- The beginning of therapy: engagement, assessment and containment (developing a therapeutic relationship)
- Formulation and intervention with children from psychodynamic perspectives (including the role of art and play)
- The additional role of structured perspectives in formulation and intervention with children
- Using psychodynamic perspectives in supporting parents of children
- The additional role of structured perspectives in supporting parents of children
- Working with systems that support children
- Endings
Term 3: Working with adolescents (9:30am-11:30am)
- Introduction and overview of the unit and course: how working with adolescents is different to working with children and adults
- The beginning of therapy: engagement, assessment and containment (developing a therapeutic relationship and managing risk)
- Formulation and intervention with adolescents from psychodynamic perspectives
- The additional role of structured perspectives in formulation and intervention with adolescents
- Using psychodynamic perspectives in supporting parents of adolescents
- Structured perspectives in supporting parents of adolescents: single session family consultation
- Working with systems that support adolescents using cognitive analytic therapy
- Endings
Skills
Two 12-week blocks of small group, in-depth clinical supervision with experienced mental health clinicians, run during Terms 2 and 3 only.
Term 2: Working with children (approx. 1.5-2 hour supervision sessions)
Small group supervision of therapeutic work with children with mental health difficulties
Term 3: Working with adolescents (approx 1.5-2 hour supervision sessions)
Small group supervision of therapeutic work with adolescents with mental health difficulties.
All lectures and supervision are conducted at Mindful. There is some limited capacity to use videoconferencing at times during the course if participants are unable to attend, but this requires discussion with the course coordinator
Course Dates: 2020
Term 1: 19 Feb – 25 March; 15 April – 20 May
Term 2: 10 June – 26 Aug
Term 3: 16 Sept – 2 Dec