Adult Psychotherapy Training Course (4 years)

The Adult Psychotherapy Training Course is suitable for individuals seeking to establish or further develop their private practice; or as a means to enhance employment opportunities and further develop skills within the government and community sectors. The course provides clinical training and supervision in the clinical practice of longer-term Individual Psychotherapy, and Small Group Psychotherapy.

The ICP Adult Psychotherapy Training Course does not adhere to any one particular school of therapy but rather draws upon a wide variety of perspectives in understanding the therapeutic relationship and process, working with the unconscious and dreams, and the “spiritual” dimension of human existence. A substantial emphasis is placed upon the trainees’ exploration and understanding of their own dreaming and relationship processes.

Training Components:

1. Clinical Theory and Supervision Group
2. Individual Psychotherapy
3. Dream Group
4. Early Childhood Development Group (Toddler Observation)
5. Individual Clinical Supervision

1. Clinical Theory and Supervision Group

The objective of this group is to explore critical issues relevant to clinical practice as a Psychotherapist by way of seminars, selected reading, discussion, skills training and clinical supervision of case work. Particular attention will be focussed upon the differing theoretical approaches to working with and understanding the therapeutic relationship and process, the unconscious, and dreams arising from Jungian Analytical Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Humanistic and Existential Psychology, Systemic Therapy, C.B.T.

Emphasis is placed upon developing sound clinical skills particularly with regard to working with the therapeutic frame and boundaries, transference and counter-transference, and practice ethics. Some of the clinical skills to be explored are: assessment, diagnosis (using the DSM IV TR), contracting, listening, empathy, dream work and interpretation, frame and transference interpretations, silences, holding, interventions, reframing, the use of questions, neutrality, understanding context, report writing, and private practice skills and development. Current day realties with regard to obtaining clients, referrals and marketing are explored.

Where appropriate trainees (with no prior clinical experience) generally commence their clinical practice in year 2, by engaging in shorter term individual counselling and shorter-term "support and discussion" groups in order to hone their basic counselling skills, prior to the commencement of longer-term psychotherapy style cases and groups. Video tapes of trainees’ clinical work are utilised. 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 in each of the first 3 years. A major paper focussing upon an area of personal interest is due by the end of year four.

*In our experience over the past ten years, trainees generally find that their income from client work eventually covers and exceeds their training costs. Every assistance in this regard is offered. However your level of income, both during the training and subsequently, is fundamentally determined by your motivation, capacity as a Psychotherapist and market forces. Graduates currently earn between $75 and $120 per hour. Individual results do vary, and this statement is intended as a general guide only. Trainees often find partime employment in a variety of agencies.

2. Individual Psychotherapy

Trainees are required to complete a minimum of three consecutive years of individual psychotherapy. Individual psychotherapy provides the opportunity to intimately experience a longer-term psychotherapeutic relationship and to explore personal issues and development. It also provides a space in which counter-transference issues pertaining to ones clinical work can be examined.

3. Dream Group

The two-year long Dream Group provides a further opportunity to explore dreams, relationship dynamics and personal issues in a small closed therapeutic group context. Trainees will be required to maintain a dream journal and to present a written essay to the group at the end of the year reflecting upon their dreams and experiences within the group.

4. Early Childhood Development Group (Toddler Observation)

This group runs for approximately 18 months and involves the weekly observation of a toddler’s development, and attendance at a weekly seminar group. This is a unique opportunity to learn about human development and the process of observation; and to explore the work of Donald Winnicott and other early childhood theorists. For the duration of this group trainees will be required to be in individual psychotherapy on a twice per week basis.

5. Individual Clinical Supervision

Individual Clinical Supervision can be taken up at any time during the course depending on caseload. Training staff may require trainees to take up additional clinical supervision if they deem it necessary. Trainees will be required to complete two control cases: one dream focussed individual psychotherapy case (minimum length 12 months), and one psychotherapy group (minimum length 12 months), with the assistance of one hour per week individual clinical supervision.

Upon completion of the four year Adult 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.

Training Structure

The Adult Psychotherapy training course is of 4 years part time duration and runs according to the public school terms. As such there are 4 terms per year of approximately 10 weeks per term.

Year One

• Adult Psychotherapy Clinical Theory and Supervision Group meets for 2 ½ hours per week (4 years duration)
• Dream Group meets weekly for 2 hours. (2 years duration)

Year Two

• Adult Psychotherapy Clinical Theory and Supervision Group
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Dream Group

Year Three

• Adult Psychotherapy Clinical Theory and Supervision Group
• Individual Psychotherapy (twice per week)
• Early Childhood Development Group meets weekly for two hours (18 months duration)

Year Four

• Adult Psychotherapy Clinical Theory and Supervision Group
• Individual Psychotherapy.
• Early Childhood Development Group continues
• Individual Clinical Supervision (one hour per week throughout control cases)

Note: with the exception of Individual Psychotherapy, all other units require completion of written assignments, and trainees are expected to read widely.

Registration

Trainees who successfully complete the first two years of the course may receive provisional registration as a Psychotherapist. Upon successful completion of the training course, graduates receive full registration as a Clinical Psychotherapist, and Clinical Membership of ICP. Graduates are also able to apply to PACFA for additional individual registration.

Postgraduate Training

On satisfactory completion of the training trainees are eligible to apply for:

1. Dream Analysis
2. Systemic Couple and Family Therapy
2. Tibetan Buddhist Psychotherapy

Introduction To Adult Psychotherapy is also available as a 12 months course either by attendance or Distance Training Option


Application Process

Applicants will need to fill out an application form and attend two pre-selection interviews. There are no minimum requirements, however experience in working therapeutically with others, and current access to clients would be well regarded.

ICP’s selection process is non-discriminatory on the basis of gender, ethnicity, spiritual belief, sexual preference or disability.
Trainees are requied to abide by ICP's ethics.
To obtain an application form, a prospectus or to make further enquiries,

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