Specialist Course in Couple Therapy
RAV offers an intensive training course in couple therapy for professionally qualified counsellors. The course is held at RAV's Kew Centre and includes a post course training internship option. Course participants need to have appropriate tertiary qualifications and a minimum of one year face-to-face counselling experience.
Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors (AARC) guidelines have been taken into account in the design of this course. Membership of the AARC provides eligibility to apply for listing on the PACFA National Register. See course brochure and expression of interest form.
Course components
THEORY & PRACTICE SEMINARS
Supported by a prescribed reading program, the seminars integrate psychodynamic, systemic and behavioural theories to form a working interactional theory. Special topics are also covered. These include; sexuality, jealousy and affairs, marital violence, gender issues and working with the separating couple(Large group learning).
THERAPEUTIC SELF WORKSHOPS
Working in two small groups, trainees develop an experiential understanding of what shapes them as effective marital therapists. The primary task is to explore links between their family of origin and our work with couples(Small group learning).
CASE DISCUSSION AND ILLUSTRATION SEMINARS
Conceptualises marital difficulties in a way that integrates psychodynamic, systemic and behavioural theory. Through this process we assist the therapist to define an appropriate therapeutic focus for his/her work with the couple being discussed (Small or large group learning, depending on training group size).
CLINICAL PRACTICE WORKSHOPS
Raising the awareness of particular issues crucial to couple therapy, eg establishing symmetrical rapport, defining and working with interactional process, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness, facilitating change (Mainly small group learning).
VIDEO VIEWING SEMINARS
Demonstrate the application of theory and technique in a variety of clinical situations. Trainees have an opportunity to share their observations and raise questions about the different approaches.(Large group learning).
Course fees
Assessed cost: $3014 incl GST
Formally assessed cost (for Masters accreditation): $3314 incl GST
Materials fee: $110 incl GST *
*This covers:
- Prescribed reading collection - two volumes, (75 - 80 articles) catalogued into weekly packages.
- Teaching notes - issued weekly, summarising each theory topic.
A $330 deposit is required once a place has been allocated. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable unless 6 weeks notice is given prior to course commencement.
Payment options: cheque, credit card, money order; payment instalment also available.
Costs subject to change.
Course dates, time & location
DATES
The course is run twice per year on Tuesdays: February and July intakes
February 2012 intake: 7 February to 26 June
July 2012 intake: 17 July to 11 December
TIME
9am – 3pm
There are 20 sessions, with each session running for 5 hours.
COURSE LOCATION
RAV Kew: (46 Princess Street, Kew 3101)
CONTACT
Professional Education Coordinator
Ph: 03 9261 8702
Email: Professional Education Coordinator
Post course training options
INTERNSHIP
Selected clinicians undertake an internship, working with RAV clients over a 12 month period, and receiving weekly supervision from a training team member.
An internship can be credited as equal to 20 points (out of 120 points) towards the Masters in Couple & Relationship Counselling. View brochure
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPERVISION PROGRAM
Working in small groups (6 members), students bring cases from their place of work and have the opportunity to discuss both the case itself and the theoretical issues arising from the clinical practice.
MASTER VIDEO VIEWING PROGRAM
Working in a group of 12 - 14 members plus trainer, students have the opportunity to watch master therapists working with a variety of couple presentations, using a range of different approaches.
Students must enrol for a minimum of 10 sessions.
The Master Video Viewing Program commences in February and July each year. View brochure.
University accreditation
A formally assessed version of the course is accredited towards:
Master of Social Work (entry-to-practise)
Universty of Melbourne
Graduates of the formally assessed version of the course plus the internship who successfully meet the selection criteria for this Masters would typically be granted credit for 4 subjects including Working with Families, Supervised Field Placement 1a and Supervised Field Placement 1b. Applying for Recognition of Prior Learning, students need to satisfy the learning objectives of Supervised Field Placement 1a and Supervised Field Placement 1b and present a portfolio as evidence.
Master of Advanced Social Work (research)
Universty of Melbourne
The MASW (Research) involves two coursework subjects and a 30,000 word thesis. Previous graduates of the formally assessed version of the course who have met the selection criteria for this Masters have been granted credit for coursework components. Credit is granted on an individual basis and needs to be requested at the time of application.
Enquiries for the University of Melbourne Masters can be directed to Associate Professor Lou Harms, School of Social Work (03) 8344 9413.
The training team
Linda Murrow – Professional Training Coordinator
MA (USA) Counselling Psychology Expressive Therapies, Cert. Family Therapy, Advanced Training in Couple Therapy, Member VAFT, AARC, DTAA,PACFA Reg, SCAPE.
Linda Halley – Senior Counsellor/Clinical Supervisor, Kew
Clinical Member AARC, SCAPE, Individual & Couple Therapist
Lily Rosenberg – Senior Counsellor/Clinical Supervisor, Kew
BA (Monash), Dip Soc Stud (Melb), AARC (clinical member and accredited supervisor), ANZAP, SCAPE
Lillia Szarski – Mediator, Counsellor Clinical Supervisor
BA Psych, Grad Dip Ed (psych), M Ed (Psych), MAPS, Accredited Mediator of the Department, Commonwealth Government
Penny Evans – Consultant
BA, Masters in Couple & Relationship Counselling (La Trobe), Dip Soc Stud (Melb), AASW, Clinical Member of the Australian Association of Marriage and Family Counsellors (AARFC), Clinical Member of the Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE).
Participant feedback
The Specialist Course in Couple Therapy was thoroughly enjoyable, challenging and inspiring. I use the skills gained from my attendance daily in my counselling practice.
Jenny Cuthbertson, Psychologist, Private Practice
The combination of experiential learning as well as theory was very valuable. Highly recommend the course for professionals in the field. I loved it.
Catherine Stevenson, Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Therapist, Mental Health
I found the course to be especially helpful to me in understanding and developing the links between my personal experience, the theoretical perspectives, and my work with couples.
Max Broadway, Industrial Chaplain & Accredited Social Worker.
Read more participant feedback.
