Master of Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

This course, offered by Psychological Medicine, is conducted primarily at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria. The degree is taken by coursework and minor thesis. The course for the degree shall be completed in not less than three years and not more than six years and will be undertaken part-time.

The aim of this degree is to provide the opportunity for mental health professionals from various disciplines to examine critically the theoretical and research bases of the practice of child psychotherapy in the context of ongoing clinical skills training in this area, to understand the issues of research methodology in this field, and to contribute to the body of knowledge in this field by means of a substantial piece of scholarship. The long-term objective is to raise the academic and clinical standard of child psychotherapy and encourage scholarship and research in the field.

Applicants need to have a minimum of two years practice in their graduate field with an approved experience working with children and their families and be currently engaged in therapeutic work with children.

Course structure

Coursework

Three hours of coursework per week per semester over three years.

Clinical work

Three hours supervision of psychotherapy work per week per semester over three years, plus each student is to have at least two children, two adolescents and two parents in psychotherapy during the course.

Research workshops

A series of seminars and other workshops on research methodology, data analysis, and critical examination of the literature relevant to the field of child psychoanalytic psychotherapy and the planning, preparation and writing of the minor thesis.

Minor thesis

Candidates will be required to submit a substantial piece of individual scholarship in the form of a minor thesis at the end of their final year.

Assessment

Assessment of the coursework will be by continual assessment based on evidence of attendance and participation, and the submission of assignments related to the subjects being undertaken for the degree. This may be supplemented by written and oral examinations.

Application

Monash University Direct Application Form - graduate/postgraduate courses