Year One
Semester One
I Theory (Freud)
An in depth reading and discussion of the writings of Sigmund Freud follow major themes in his intellectual development, with the view to integrating psychoanalytic theory and practice.
II Clinical Seminar – Starting out as a Child Psychotherapist
Small group discussion of the establishment of an appropriate setting for psychotherapeutic work is introduced. Clinical issues concerning the referral, assessment and therapy of children and adolescents are discussed.
III History and Key Concepts
Students will be introduced to the history of child and adolescent psychotherapy from Freud to the present time. Key concepts used in clinical work are introduced and explored.
Semester Two
I Theory (Klein)
In depth reading of the works of Karl Abraham and Melanie Klein.
II Clinical Seminar
Continuation from Semester One.
III Work with parents
Discussion and clinical presentations of work with parents.
Year Two
Semester One
I Theory
Selected readings focusing on the issues of play and interpretation.
II Clinical Seminar
Ongoing presentation and discussion of clinical work including discussion of working with children.
III Young Child Observation
The infant observation model from year one is extended to the study of a young child aged between two and four years, either at home or in a daycare setting.
Semester Two
I Theory
In depth reading and discussion of Post-Kleinian theorists including Bion, Steiner, Alvarez. Other psychoanalytic models of child psychotherapy are introduced.
II Clinical Seminar
Ongoing presentation and discussion of clinical work with children, adolescents and families.
III Research
A reading seminar of selected texts from current child development research.
Year Three
Semester One
I Theory
In depth reading and discussion of different theories and practices in child psychoanalytic work. This includes comparing and contrasting the work of Klein, Anna Freud, Winnicott, Jung, the Relational School and attachment theory.
II Clinical Seminar
Ongoing presentation and discussion of clinical work with children, adolescents, parents and families
III Clinical Issues seminar
Seminars to be programmed according to trainees needs. For example seminars could focus on areas such as group work, adoption, autism, trauma etc
Semester Two
I Theory
In depth reading of the current theoretical discussions influencing child and adolescent work. This includes study of the work of Shore, Fonagy, Lieberman and findings from neurological studies and physically based therapies.
II Clinical Seminar
Ongoing presentation and discussion of clinical work.
III Clinical Issues
Discussion of ethical and legal issues concerning work with children and adolescents. The seminar may also address specialized areas of clinical work as in semester 1.
