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Advanced Studies

Advanced Studies in Child and Family Development

An intensive twelve month course is offered for graduates of the Foundation Course.

Accreditation
Successful completion of the Advanced Studies Course leads to Associate Membership of the Association of Child and Family Development. The Course is also recognised as relevant prior learning for University accreditation.

Dates
The next Advanced Studies Course commences in April 2012 and applications can be made now. Early bird rates apply and discounts for more than one person from an organisation.

Venue: The Advanced Studies Course is run at the Centre offices in Camberwell.

Overview of the Course
This innovative twelve month course for professionals helps them to develop the skills and expertise which will be required to deal with the challenges of child and family mental health in the 21st century.

The course is underpinned by The Psychodynamic Method which takes, as its starting point, that all behaviour has meaning and is a communication. The Psychodynamic Method emphasises the importance of understanding the common developmental task which is the foundation for all emotional growth.

Aims and Objectives

  • To offer a sound developmental framework for understanding the behaviour of children across the age range from infancy through to adolescence
  • To learn how to apply this understanding in everyday work with children and young people who present with a wide range of problems including ADHD, problems of early childhood, depression and behavioural problems.
  • To develop strong observational skills which can be applied to carrying out effective assessments and case management
  • To emphasise prevention, promote health and work in partnership with parents.

Who Can Attend?
All professionals who work with children, adolescents, parents and families, in any setting. These may be social workers, psychologists, doctors, teachers, maternal and child health nurses, child care staff, kindergarten teachers, school and college counsellors, community, and youth workers. No previous therapeutic experience is necessary and the course is not a psychotherapy training.

Professionals with decision making responsibilities may find the course particularly useful, such as managers of Health or Welfare teams, managers of High Risk Infant Teams, and professionals concerned with linking policy with good practice.

 

Two Year Training in Psychodynamic Counselling with Children Parents and Families

Candidates can be accepted into this two year training on successful completion of the Advanced Studies Course. The two year training includes intensive one to one supervision and practical placements in clinical settings. The training aims primarily to promote the assessment and therapeutic skills of professionals who work with children parents and families and who are currently employed in the public and voluntary sectors. Successful completion of the training leads to full membership of the Association of Child and Family Development and Psychodynamic Counselling.

 

 

Course Content

The Advanced Studies Course comprises four interconnected modules in the following areas:

  • Infant Observation

  • The Impact of Separation, Loss and Trauma

  • Research in Child Development

  • Developing Skills in Assessment and Therapeutic Communication.

The Centre for Child and Family Development
Director: Ruth Schmidt Neven
721A Riversdale Road, Camberwell Victoria 3124
Tel: (03) 9830 0422   Fax: (03) 9830 0455
Email: ccfdau@ozemail.com.au