Graduate Diploma in Family and Systemic Therapy
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- Domestic
Offered at 1 locations
- Melbourne
- Melbourne
- Duration
- 2 years part-time
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Overview
Our suite of programs in Family and Systemic Therapy will enable practitioners in the fields of psychology, social work, occupational therapy, community work, youth work, psychiatry, paediatrics, and general practice develop the knowledge and skills to better support families in their work and in their practice with particular application. Our programs will be of particular interest to practitioners who in their work, need to help clients manage in their practise childhood chronic illness, geriatrics and aged care, complex pain management, health/mental health, and conditions with comorbidities.
Whilst the Graduate Certificate provides a thorough grounding in the theories and models of family and systemic therapy, the Graduate Diploma expands these concepts, developing in student therapists the knowledge of cutting-edge family and systemic therapy research, and the emerging evidenced-based models for high prevalence mental health presentation which are fundamental to their development as a therapist in this area.
Students will also undertake Live supervised practice using the reflecting team process which is a clinical supervisory format designed to be of benefit to both clients and therapists, and provides the opportunity for reflection and discussion on both the clients’ experience and the therapist’s practice. The aim is to develop students' practical knowledge, core competencies and clinical decision-making, with specific clinical presentations.
Course details
Course structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Family and Systemic Therapy, a student must complete 80 credit points from the Schedule of Unit Offerings,, consisting of:
a. 60 cp from Specified Core Units (Part A);
b. 20 cp from Supervision Units (Part B).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has completed the following requirements from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the relevant award:
Graduate Certificate in Family and Systemic Therapy: 40 cp from Specified Core Units.
Additional course information
Year 1 Semester 1
Concepts and Models of Family and Systemic Therapy 1 (Core unit - 10 cp)
• Models of Family and Systemic Therapy: focus of intervention and change mechanisms
• Family lifecycle, structure, and communication in the system
• Trauma and disruption in relational systems
Practices and Processes of Family and Systemic Therapy 1 (Core unit - 10 cp)
• Family of origin, and exploring the impact of birth order, family structure, and family rules
• Exploring multigenerational themes of family history
• Seeing and experiencing the relational spaces in family systems
• Secrets, alliances, and coalitions
• Family and systemic treatment planning
Year 1 Semester 2
Concepts and Models of Family and Systemic Therapy 2 (Core unit - 10 cp)
• Couple formation and consequent
• Family adaptation and functioning
• Problems presenting through children and adolescents
• Trans-generational transmission of trauma: Recent developments in research, theory and practice
Practices and Processes of Family and Systemic Therapy 2 (Core unit - 10 cp)
• Exploring the family's ethics, moral and cultural values, and spirituality, as core family resources
• Exploring intimacy, emotional connection, emotional expression and emotional literacy
• Session assessment skills
Year 2 Semester 1
Research Informed Frameworks of Family and Systemic Therapy 1 (Core unit - 10 cp)
Evidence-based models of FST for the treatment of:
- Complex problems of adolescence, including adolescent depression and suicide, school participation and performance, and juvenile justice
- Mental illness in children, adolescents and adults
- Drug, alcohol and other addictions
Live Supervision and Reflecting Team Practice 1 (Supervision unit – 10 cp)
Team reflection and self-reflection on live couples practice:
- Providing generative feedback to clients and colleagues
- Applying feedback and outcome measures
- Monitoring micro and macro changes
- Recognition of the differences between straightforward and complex client systems
Year 2 Semester 2
Research Informed Frameworks of Family and Systemic Therapy 2 (Core unit - 10 cp)
Models of FST for the treatment of:
- Physical, emotional and sexual abuse
- Straightforward and complex couple’s issues
- Traumatized and traumatizing relational systems, including emotional dysregulation and PTSD
Live Supervision and Reflecting Team Practice 2 (Supervision unit – 10 cp)
Advanced principles and practice of team reflection and self-reflection and open dialogue:
- Focused generative feedback to clients and colleagues
- Applying feedback and outcome measures, monitoring micro and macro changes
- Being effective in clinical work with complex client systems
Overseas study available
Not applicable. Only domestic students can undertake the course.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:
1. hold one of the following qualifications:
a. Bachelor degree in health or related helping discipline*
b. Graduate Certificate in Family and Systemic Therapy
AND
2. Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years’ experience in counselling, therapy or clinical work with individuals or families;
AND
3. Successfully complete the interview process associated with the course.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
Students whose first language is other than English need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have:
Graduate Diploma
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:
1. hold one of the following qualifications:
a. Bachelor degree in health or related helping discipline*
b. Graduate Certificate in Family and Systemic Therapy
AND
2. Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years’ experience in counselling, therapy or clinical work with individuals or families;
AND
3. Successfully complete the interview process associated with the course.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
Special entry is available for practitioners with extensive counselling experience but who do not have a Bachelor level qualification.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
Applicant should have completed a basic qualification in the health or social sciences at least at Bachelors level and equivalent in terms of level and depth of training as defined by Australian Qualification Framework, of the Graduate Diploma in Family and Systemic Therapy
Applicants need to demonstrate fundamental relational capacity and readiness for advanced training as family therapist by attending an interview and/or being observed interacting and participating in an experiential workshop, and/or on the recommendation of referees.
Fees
Course costs
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Staff Profile
Associate Professor Tom Whelan
Deputy Head, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences Victoria
Associate Professor Tom Whelan (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at ACU, and the Deputy Head of the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences in Victoria. He has taught for over 20 years at university and currently teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Developmental and Abnormal Psychology. Associate Professor Whelan has published widely in academic journals, text books and the popular press. In addition, he is a clinical psychologist working in youth mental health. His current field of research involves the relationship between emotions, parenting and mental health. He has specific interests in parent wellbeing during early childhood.