GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NARRATIVE THERAPY

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES, STRUCTURE AND

SUBJECT OUTLINE 2012

This course aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills in the Narrative Therapy approach of Michael White and David Epston.  Teaching staff include Bouverie staff members and local and interstate guest lecturers. Special guest lecturers include David Denborough, from the Dulwich Centre, and David Epston, one of the founders of Narrative Therapy.  The course explores the core ideas and practices of the Narrative approach and its use in specific areas of practice, such as couple work, families, children, mental health, violence and abuse, and other areas chosen by students.  The underlying theories such as post-structuralism are introduced, and the ethics and politics of practice are discussed. Classes are interactive and students are encouraged to engage with staff in a participatory style of education. Students are encouraged to connect their study to their own work and areas of interest, and to develop their own narrative ways of working.

Applicants are required to have completed an undergraduate degree in any field but preferably in a counselling, health, community or welfare field.  Special consideration may be given to an exceptional candidate who does not have an undergraduate degree but who has worked in, and significantly contributed to, the health, welfare or education field for a substantial period. 

This one-year, two semester part-time certificate course is held on Fridays from 9:30am – 5pm, half the day for theory and half for practice. Each semester runs for 14 weeks; 13 weeks of coursework and one assessment presentation week. There is a one week break mid-semester. Due to Easter Friday the Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy runs for one week longer than other La Trobe courses.

Course Name:                Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy

Course Code:                 HCNT

Faculty:                         Faculty of Health Sciences

Campus:                        Other Site 2 (O2)

 There are four subjects in the 1-year course: two theory subjects and two practice subjects

Subject Title:               NARRATIVE THERAPY THEORY A

Subject code:              FTH4NTA

In this subject, students will explore the main theoretical concepts of narrative therapy such as externalising and re-authoring. Students will also be introduced to the contributions of the underlying theories such as post-structuralism and the history of the narrative approach.

Semester:                        1

Class requirements:          One 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                     One 2,500-word essay (70%);

                                      One 30-minute oral presentation (30%);

                                      One 20-minute article presentation (0%, hurdle requirement)

Co-requisite:                              FTH4NPA.  Students must be enrolled in Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy or seek co-ordinator approval.

Credit Points:                   15

Subject Title:               NARRATIVE THERAPY THEORY B

Subject code:             FTH4NTB

In this subject students will explore narrative therapy theory for specific areas e.g. mental health, violence abuse and trauma, children and young persons, gender and cultural issues. Students will look at narrative therapy theory with individuals, couples, families, groups and community work. Students will also explore various versions of narrative therapy theory of differing narrative therapists, and examine narrative therapy for possible theoretical flaws and challenges.

Semester:                        2

Class requirements:          One 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                               One 4,125-word essay (100%)

                                      One 20-minute article presentation (0%, hurdle requirement)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4NPB.  Students must be enrolled in Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy or seek co-ordinator approval.

Prequisite:                       FTH4NTA

Credit Points:                   15

Subject Title:               NARRATIVE THERAPY PRACTICE A        

Subject Code:             FTH4NPA

In this subject students will critically explore and practice the main narrative techniques. Students will continually discuss and debate theory and ethics as applied to practice and examine and reflect upon the effects of practice upon both clients and therapists alike.

Semester:                     1

Class requirements:          One 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                     One 35-minute Clinical assessment/practicum (80%)

                                      One 3,000-word Unstructured reflective journal (20%)

                                      One 20-minute case presentation (0%, hurdle requirement)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4NTA. Students must be enrolled in Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy or seek co-ordinator approval.

Credit Points:                   15

Subject Title:               NARRATIVE THERAPY PRACTICE B        

Subject Code:              FTH4NPB

In this subject students will practice narrative therapy skills for specific practice areas eg mental health, violence abuse and trauma, children and young persons, gender and cultural issues. Students will also practice narrative therapy skills specific for working with individuals, couples, families, groups and community work. Students will also observe explore and practice the various versions of narrative therapy techniques of differing narrative practitioners. Students will continue to discuss and reflect upon the ethics and competency of their practice, continue to examine the effects of practice upon both clients and workers. Additionally, students will discuss and rehearse developing their own distinctive unique narrative influenced approach.

Semester:                        2

Class requirements:          One 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                     One practice presentation (20%);

                                      One 60-minute verbal presentation (80%)

                                      One 20-minute case presentation (0%, hurdle requirement)

                                      One evening attendance at Men’s Responsibility Group (MRG) (0%, hurdle requirement)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4NTB.  Students must be enrolled in Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy or seek co-ordinator approval.

Prequisite:                       FTH4NTA, FTH4NPA

Credit Points:                   15

Course Co-ordinator:       Ron Findlay