Family therapy

Why study Family therapy?

We offer postgraduate coursework programs in Family Therapy for those with qualifications and experience in related disciplines. Our courses focus on contemporary theory and practice and produce graduates who are able to maintain effective therapeutic relationships and client outcomes across a range of clients and settings.

Our Masters program in family therapy offers a solid grounding in systems theory and experiential work in supervised clinical practice. This course is ideal for psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, youth workers, drug and alcohol counsellors, psychiatric nurses or workers from professions such as teaching and general nursing who want a change of career.

Career opportunities

Family therapy graduates may work as a family therapist and counsellor or teacher and supervisor in family therapy.

Courses

Local students

Family therapy courses
Offer yearCourse titleCampus(es)DurationSemester starts
2012 Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy Other
1 year part-time Semester 1 (March)

Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy continued…

Course description
This course provides an introduction to theories and practices useful in working with families. It is ideal for those with an interest in enhancing their skills (and therefore client outcomes) in the professional contact they have with families - in education, nursing, welfare, family support, child protection, disability, drug and alcohol, residential care and mental health. Students are encouraged to relate theory and practice to their own work settings. Content offers a basic grounding in family therapy theory as well as experiential work in small groups. Students may progress to the clinical Master's if desired. However, please note that further professional supervision and broader training is required for accreditation as a family therapist.
Prerequisite
Undergraduate degree in any field but preferably in counselling, health or welfare; and completion of the Bouverie Centre's Introductory Workshop in Family Therapy or equivalent. Special consideration may be given to exceptional candidates without an undergraduate degree who have worked in and significantly contributed to the family support field for a substantial period. Applicants are also required to work in roles with direct involvement with families. They do not have to be employed in a specific counselling or therapy role, but must have some ongoing working relationship with at least five families throughout the year.
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Fee amount
Indicative (2012): $5715 (60 credit points).
Additional costs
The Course Coordinator will advise students regarding any additional costs.
Additional information
The course is taught at The Bouverie Centre, Brunswick.
How to apply
Apply direct to the University by 31 October 2011. Visit our postgraduate website to download an application form.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Victorian Association of Family Therapists (VAFT). However, completion of Master of Clinical Family Therapy or an equivalent course (plus some additional hours of supervision) is required for full Clinical Membership.
Full course details
Family Therapy (Grad Certificate)Melbourne
2012 Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy Other
1 year part-time. Semester 1 (March)

Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy continued…

Course description
This course is designed to present narrative therapy theories and practices useful in working with individuals, families and communities. Drawing on poststructural and narrative theory and practice, participants working in a variety of professional roles are encouraged to relate what they are learning to their own work settings. Please note further professional supervision and family therapy training is required for accreditation as a family therapist.
Prerequisite
Undergraduate degree in any field, but preferably in a counselling, health or welfare field. Special consideration may be given to exceptional candidates without an undergraduate degree who have worked in and significantly contributed to the health, welfare or education field for a substantial period.
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Fee amount
Indicative (2011): $5715 (60 credit points).
Additional costs
The Course Coordinator will advise students of additional costs.
How to apply
Apply direct to the University by 31 October 2011. Visit our postgraduate website to download an application form.
Full course details
Narrative Therapy (Graduate Certificate)Other
2012 Master of Clinical Family Therapy Other
2 years part-time. Semester 1 (March)

Master of Clinical Family Therapy continued…

Course description
This course provides training in family therapy with a focus on supervision of family work, integrating family therapy theory. It is ideal for psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, youth workers, drug and alcohol counsellors, psychiatric nurses or workers from other professions such as teaching and general nursing who are suitably qualified and want a change of career. It offers a solid grounding in systems theory as well as ample experiential work, including supervised clinical practice in a live family therapy context in teams of no more than six students.
Prerequisite
Undergraduate studies with at least B or 70% grade average, comprising: - four-year degree in a related discipline or Bachelor's degree and approved fourth year of study, or - three-year undergraduate degree in the health and welfare field, or - Graduate Certificate in Family Sensitive Practice or equivalent and three-year degree in a related discipline. Applicants must also have completed the Introductory Workshop in Family Therapy (four-day course offered by the Bouverie Centre), or equivalent, have at least two or three years' experience with families as a case manager or family counsellor, and currently work in a counselling or therapy role with an employment description that allows them to counsel families. During the course, students are expected to be working within a counselling or therapy relationship with at least five families at any one time throughout the year.
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Fee amount
Indicative (2012): $13,120 per 120 credit points.
Additional costs
The Course Coordinator will advise students re all additional costs.
How to apply
Apply direct to the University by 30 October 2011. Visit our postgraduate website to download an application form.
Professional recognition
With some additional hours of supervision, graduates are eligible for clinical membership of the Victorian Association of Family Therapists (VAFT).
Full course details
Clinical Family Therapy (Master)Other

How to apply?

Methods of application vary from course to course. Please see the course entry above for details of how to apply for the course you are interested in.

Fees and scholarships

Postgraduate coursework programs are either:

  • Fee-paying (where you pay the full cost of the course). FEE-HELP is available.
  • CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place), subsidised by the Commonwealth Government where you pay a contribution towards course costs. HECS-HELP is available.

Students enrolled for certain postgraduate coursework programs may be eligible for student income support.

International students

No courses available

How to apply?

Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.

 

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Your study experience

Family therapy placements

Practical placements are an important part of our Family Therapy courses. We have a strong network of clinical placements in social, community, education and health contexts including early intervention and infant services; mother and baby units; special education; child and family services; child, adolescent and adult mental health facilities; drug and alcohol services; physical disabilities; palliative care; intellectual disabilities; forensic settings and geriatric care.

Overseas study opportunities

You may be eligible for our student exchange program.

Student profiles

Students from our Faculty talk about their experience at La Trobe.

About the academic staff

You'll get to meet a large number of academics during your course, from tutors through to lecturers. You can view all the staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences or focus on staff in Family therapy.

Family therapy events

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