Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy with Children & Adolescents

• This module aims to give the learner a solid foundation in the theoretical and clinical underpinnings of integrative psychotherapy. It includes consideration of content such as the goals of child therapy, the therapeutic relationship with children, adolescents and their caregivers, the attributes and skills of child therapists, the legal and regulatory context of child therapy, as well as the process of psychotherapy with children and adolescents.

Child & Adolescent Development

• This module aims to give the learner a solid foundation in the developmental considerations and theories relevant to child therapy. Learners will engage with theorists such as Piaget, Kohlberg, Bowlby, Freud, Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner, Lerner and Sameroff. Key developmental issues of stability-change, nature-nurture, continuity-discontinuity will be explored. Attachment theory and how attachment can impact the therapeutic process will also be included. Likewise learners will examine issues of developmental trauma, and early life stressors, as well as considering key processes in the developmental psychopathology literature.

CBT with Children & Adolescents

• In this module, learners will engage in formal didactic lectures, skills practice, group discussion, reflective exercises and experiential exercises related to CBT with children and adolescents. This will include exploration of the theoretical and clinical underpinnings to CT and REBT, as well as consideration of case formulation. Learners will become familiar with the CBT model, the therapeutic process and alliance in CBT and will focus on developing skills to identify and challenge negative automatic thoughts and irrational beliefs. The module is designed to help learners to facilitate psychological understanding of CBT concepts with younger clients, and to facilitate change and acceptance with children and adolescents.

Therapeutic Use of Play, Creative Media & Expressive Arts

• Malchiodi (2005, p. 8) argues that expressive and creative methods add a unique dimension to therapy, as they offer characteristics that are not usually found in verbal approaches. When working with younger children and some adolescents, it is important to have multiple ways of work at one’s disposal. Not all young clients will have the emotional vocabulary that adults seeking therapy have. Engaging through play, creativity and expressive arts allows therapeutic work to occur through a medium that is comfortable to younger clients. In this module, learners will engage in teaching and learning related to theoretical underpinnings to play, creative media and expressive arts in therapy. Projection and the use of metaphor and creative methods including art, sandtray work and sensory and embodiment activities will be utilised.

Clinical Skills for Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

• In this module, learners will engage in teaching related to the necessary clinical skills for work with children and adolescents. The content of this module covers topics such as clinical skills for working with minors, confidentiality in the child and adolescent context, engaging effectively with parents and caregivers and management of multiple stakeholder goals. The module is highly experiential, with inputs covering a range of areas including ethics, management of boundaries, integration of theory and practice, case management and therapist development. Interpersonal process recall (Kagan) is used to facilitate ongoing therapist development.

Trauma Informed Therapy with Children and Adolescents

• This module aims to enhance learners understanding of trauma as it applies to younger children. Children or adolescents who have experienced trauma are at greater risk for later developing a range of mental health problems (Depression, Anxiety etc.), sleep disorders and substance use disorders (SAMHSA, 2014). Learners will consider the impact of trauma on the biological, psychological and social domains. The child or adolescent’s experience with trauma can shape the manner in which they approach therapy and the psychotherapist. In the module, learners will also gain an appreciation of the relevance and application of trauma informed therapy to youth mental health and adolescent substance use, and other sectors where there is a high incidence of trauma. Definitions of trauma will be presented, and learners will engage in teaching and learning relevant to Trauma Informed Philosophy and Principles, the Impact of Trauma and the implications for therapy.

Clinical Practice & Development

• The purpose of the module is to encourage learners to engage in evaluative case related discussion based learning, which highlights elements of dialogue, critical discovery and community based scholarly activity to probe and develop clinical placement and counselling and psychotherapy skills and practice as they relate to work with children and adolescents. The development of reflective practice is integral to the module, as is a deepening of knowledge, skills and competencies related to practice of child and adolescent counselling and psychotherapy. Learners will engage in teaching and learning relevant to evidence based practice, integrative assessment, ethical considerations and the use of self. Group Supervision is integral to the module delivery, and consideration of case work in group will be central.