The Graduate Diploma in Child Psychotherapy Studies is offered by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and the Distance Education Centre, Monash University.

The course 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 consider how this knowledge may be applied in their own workplace.  This course does not provide specialist clinical training.

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. critically examine and understand the theoretical concepts of psychoanalytic and developmental theory and their application to the understanding of disturbed children and adolescents;

2. demonstrate a capacity to integrate this knowledge and understanding of psychoanalytic and developmental theory;

3. apply this knowledge and understanding of psychoanalytic and developmental theory to clinical material;

4. have culturally responsive skills in reflection on and recording of observations of infants, children and adolescents in both clinical and naturalistic settings;

5. have a capacity to process and use their own experiences and observations and organise them in a written form;

6. identify areas of further development in regard to practical skills or research interests that may lead to further training.

On completion of the course participants will have knowledge and understanding about:

1. major psychoanalytic theories;

2. major developmental theories from a psychodynamic perspective;

3. application of these theories to developmental observation, and working with children, adolescents and parents.

This course is part-time over two years. On campus residential workshops will be required for all subjects.  One residential workshop will be held each year.  Candidates are required to have an email address and internet access.

Curriculum/Subjects

Year 1

• Psychoanalytic and developmental theories I
• Normal developmental observation
• Psychoanalytic and developmental theories II 
• Psycho-dynamic assessment of children and adolescents

Year 2

• Principles of child psychotherapy 
• Principles of adolescent psychotherapy
• Principles of short term therapy and crisis work
• Principles of working with parents

Assessment consists of regular and final assignments, interactive assessments as well as residential workshop.

This course is relevant to experienced professionals as well as those with little experience in the area.

Candidates must have a degree in medicine, the health sciences, education, or a degree with a psychology major, from an approved tertiary institution, or qualifications and/or experience which are relevant.

Course Director:
Mrs Jeanette Beaufoy

Subject Advisors:
Ms Jacqui Adler
Ms Lynne Allison
Ms Jenny Carver
Mr Danny Chable
Ms Toni Heron
Ms Marell Lynch
Dr Deborah McIntyre
Ms Ros Webb

Course Coordinator
Mrs Jeanette Beaufoy
Email: j.beaufoy@mindful.org.au

Course Administrator
Fiona Kelly
Email: mindful-info@unimelb.edu.au

Mindful - Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health
Building C, 50 Flemington St, Flemington Vic 3031
PH:  (03) 9371 0203 FAX:  (03) 9371 0250