This course is suited to individuals who have previously completed a training course in individual counselling, welfare, social work, psychology or psychotherapy (or similar), and are seeking to expand their repertoire of clinical skills and selection of treatment modalities, thereby enhancing their clinical practice.
The focus of this training course is on developing a comprehensive understanding of the theory and applied practice of group psychotherapy. Group psychotherapy is a time and cost effective, potent therapeutic approach suitable for a broad range of clients and clinical settings; with the principal objectives of both symptomatic relief and personality change occurring through a professionally facilitated process of interpersonal interaction and learning within a small group context.
Training Structure:
The course runs according to public school terms and as such there are four terms per year of approximately 10 weeks per term.
The course comprises three core subjects:
(1) Clinical Theory and Supervision Group (which is held weekly for 2 hours):
(2) Interpersonal Relationships Group which is held weekly for 1 1/2 hours and
(3) Individual Clinical Supervision on a one hour per week basis for the duration of the control case
Core Subjects:
(1) Clinical Theory and
Supervision Group:
The objective of this group is to explore critical issues
relevant to clinical practice as a Group Psychotherapist,
by way of seminars, selected reading, discussion, skills
training and clinical supervision of case work. Theory and
clinical skills to be explored includes: identifying and
implementing therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy,
facilitating the exploration of interpersonal relationships
and recurrent interpersonal dynamics, pre-group interviews
and the selection of clients, promoting group cohesiveness,
developing group culture, creating and maintaining a group,
formative and advanced stages of group development,
techniques of group process interpretation, individual and
group transference, projective identification, strategies
for attending to problem group members and common group
problems, therapeutic outcomes. There is ample opportunity
for trainees to develop their own unique style and pursue
their own clinical interests. Trainees are required to
present a tutorial paper to the group twice per year. A
major paper focussing upon an area of personal interest is
due by the end of the course.
(2)
Interpersonal Relationships Group:
This group provides a unique opportunity to experience
active participation in group psychotherapy; and to explore
personal issues and development, with a focus on
understanding patterns of relationship stemming from one’s
family of origin, and reflecting upon the developing
relationships within the group. It also provides a space in
which counter-transference issues pertaining to ones
clinical work can be examined.
(3)
Individual Clinical Supervision:
The course requires the completion of a 12
month long psychotherapy group control case, with the
assistance of one hour per week individual clinical
supervision, commencing in year 2 of the course.
Upon completion of the 2 year Group Psychotherapy Course,
trainees will be required to undertake a further two years
of postgraduate individual clinical supervision on a
minimum one hour per fortnight basis to further develop
their clinical skills and to fulfil ICP registration
requirements.
Qualification/Registration:
Upon successful completion of the training course,
graduates receive full registration as a Group
Psychotherapist, and Associate Membership
of ICP. Graduates are also able to apply to PACFA
for additional individual registration.