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.
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).
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 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: $2640 incl GST
Formally Assessed Cost (for Masters accreditation): $2970 incl GST
Materials Fee: $99 incl GST *
*In addition to course fees, students will be charged $99 (incl.GST) to cover the cost of:
- Prescribed reading collection - two volumes, (75 - 80 articles) catalogued into weekly packages.
- Teaching notes - issued weekly, summarising each theory topic.
A $330.00 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 options also available.
Costs subject to change.
Course dates, time & location
DATES
The next course will commence on Tuesday 20 July – Tuesday 7 December 2010.
(The course is run twice per year on Tuesdays: February and July intake)
TIME
9:00 AM – 3.00PM
There are 20 sessions, with each session running for 5 hours.
COURSE LOCATION
RAV Kew: (46 Princess Street, Kew 3101)
CONTACT
Professional Education Administrator
Ph: 03 9261 8702
Email: Professional Education Administrator
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.
GROUP SUPERVISION/ STUDY 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.
University accreditation
A formally assessed version of the course is accredited towards:
1. Masters in Couple & Relationship Counselling
Run by RAV in equal partnership with The Bouverie Centre (La Trobe University).
The Masters offers a range of practice, theory and clinical research opportunities by full course work or course work and research thesis. Three versions of the Masters incorporate the Specialist Course in Couple Therapy, as equal in value to 40 points (out of 120) towards the Masters. The post course internship can also be undertaken as an additional unit. Students who have completed the formally assessed version of the Specialist Course in Couple Therapy and wish to undertake the Masters in the future can apply for prior credit within five years of completion.
Enquiries relating to the Masters can be directed to Brenda Hayes at RAV on 9261 8702 or email RAV Training or to Susan Conduit at La Trobe University on 03 9385 5100 or email Latrobe Training
2. Masters in Counselling and Human Services
La Trobe University
The formally assessed version of the Specialist Course in Couple Therapy has been accredited as equal in value to two units (out of six) towards the Masters. To be eligible, candidates must be accepted into both the RAV and La Trobe programs. Acceptance into one program may precede acceptance (does not guarantee) into the other. Students must normally complete all requirements in both programs within three years of commencing. RAV students would also be encouraged to undertake an RAV internship in order to integrate the learning and promote specialist skill development.
Further details relating to the degree and the accreditation arrangement can be obtained from the Administration Officer at La Trobe’s School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences (03) 9479 1740 or from the program coordinator, Katherine Gregory, on (03) 9479 5623.
3. Master of Social Work Degree
Universty of Melbourne
Previous graduates of the formally assessed version of the course who have met the selection criteria for this Masters have been granted credit for 3 units out of 8 of this Degree. Credit is granted on an individual basis and needs to be requested at the time of application. Once enrolled in the MASW Degree, graduates of the RA course could use the internship as basis for fulfilling the requirements of a further 3 out of 8 units of the degree (Advanced Professional Practice).
Enquiries can be directed to Dr Lou Harms, School of Social Work, (03) 8344 9400.
The training team
Penny Evans – Professional Education Manager
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).
Linda Halley – Senior Counsellor/Clinical Supervisor, Kew
Clinical Member AARC, SCAPE, Individual & Couple Therapist
Carol Ride – Consultant
BSc, Dip Ed, B Ed (Couns), Masters of Psychoanalytic Studies, MAPS, Member & Supervisor in the College of Counselling Psychologists, AARC (clinical member and accredited supervisor)
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
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.
