COURSE PRE-REQUISITES, STRUCTURE &

SUBJECT OUTLINE 2012

This one year course has been designed for workers interested in enhancing their skill and confidence in working with families within their current work context. It is ideal for workers employed in a variety of settings including: welfare, family support, child protection, disability, drug and alcohol, residential care, education, nursing and mental health.

The Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy offers a foundation in family therapy theory and skills development with a strong emphasis on the application of these systemic ideas to the student’s workplace.

·         Completion of an undergraduate degree preferably in the counselling, health or welfare field. S

·         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 family support field for a substantial period.

·         To be currently working in a context involving the direct engagement of families.

Applicants do not have to be employed in a specific counselling or therapy role but need to have some working relationship with at least five (5) families on an ongoing basis throughout the year. 

·         Completion of the Introductory Workshop in Family Therapy: a 4-day Continuing Education Course offered by the Bouverie Centre, or an alternative equivalent course from another institution.

Note: To book in for the Introductory Workshop in Family Therapy please submit a completed Continuing Education application form (which can be located at

http://www.bouverie.org.au/courses/continuing-education/general-information) and payment to

The Bouverie Centre, 8 Gardiner St Brunswick 3056.

This workshop will be offered from Monday 6^th - Thursday 9^th February, 2012 specifically to those offered a place in the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy 2012.

Cost of the workshop will be $650.

·         Additional clinical family therapy training is required to become a qualified Family Therapist and member of the Australian Association of Family Therapists (AAFT).

Course Name:                Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy

Course Code:                 HCFT

Faculty:             Faculty of Health Sciences

Campus:                        Brunswick (OS2)

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

Aim

            To develop beginning conceptual and practical skills in working with families. 

Unit Title:                      INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY THERAPY A

Unit Code:                      FTH4IFA

In this subject students will acquire a working knowledge of theoretical and practical frameworks relevant to working with families. This will include an orientation towards a systemic epistemology, familiarity with basic concepts from family therapy models from  the 1950s to the1970s, application of Family Sensitive Principles, and integration of knowledges about trauma and developmental history.

Semester: 1

Class requirements:          one 3-hour seminar per week

Assessment:                     one 2,500-word essay (60%)

                                      one 1,000-word essay (20%)

                                      one 750-word reflection (20%)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4WSA.  Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy

Credit Points:                   15

Unit Title:                      INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY THERAPY B

Unit Code:                      FTH4IFB

In this subject students will acquire a working knowledge of theoretical and practical frameworks relevant to working with families. This will include familiarity with basic concepts from  major  family therapy models, as well as an integration of knowledges about grief, trauma, illness and developmental history. Students will incorporate critical reflection about the impact of their own and their clients' cultural identity and context with the above learnings to evaluate the most appropriate and ethical approaches to families as they present in the student's particular work context.

Semester: 2

Class requirements:          one 3-hour seminar per week

Assessment:                      one 1,000-word equivalent per person team report or web presentation (30%) one 3,000-word essay (70%)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4WSB. Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy

Prerequisite:                    FTH4IFA

Credit Points:                   15

Unit Title:                      FAMILY THERAPY WORK SKILLS A         

Unit Code:                      FTH4WSA

In this subject students will learn basic skills in engaging productively with  families towards the achievement of mutually agreed upon goals. They will learn how to apply skills from foundational family therapy models as appropriate to their work context and to various family presentations. They will integrate these skills with increased awareness of and management of self/worker as situated in their family of origin, culture and profession.

Semester: 1

Class requirements:          one 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                     one 2,500-word structured journal (50%)

                                      one 500-word equivalent participation in case presentation/role play(20%)

                                      one 1,500-word reflection on case presentation/role play (30%)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4IFA. Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy

Credit Points:                   15

Unit Title:                      FAMILY THERAPY WORK SKILLS B         

Unit Code:                      FTH4WSB

In this subject students will further develop on basic skills in engaging with  families. Skills from the foundational family therapy models as appropriate to work context and various family presentations will be integrated with increased awareness of and management of self/worker as situated in their family of origin, culture and profession in order to further the goal of creating collaborative partnerships. Students will also progress these basic skills towards being able to manage complex family and broader system dynamics.

Semester: 2

Class requirements:          one 3-hour seminar per week.

Assessment:                     one 500-word equivalent peer reviewed verbal group presentation (25%)

                                      one 1,500-word written reflection on group presentation (25%)

                                      one 2,500-word essay (50%)

Co-requisite:                    FTH4IFB. Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy

Prerequisite:                    FTH4IFA, FTH4WSA

Credit Points:                   15

Course co-ordinator:       Colleen Cousins