Graduate Certificate of Counselling & Psychotherapy
The Cairnmillar Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy introduces students to the basic knowledge and skills required to practice counselling and psychotherapy. The course provides training in specific counselling and psychotherapeutic modalities, enabling students to develop their own therapeutic style, while gaining an overview of the change process, and different theoretical and practical skills for facilitating change.
Students are trained in the application of counselling and psychotherapy by discussing case material, participating in practice quads, clinical observation, and by learning how to manage themselves in their professional settings and relationships.
| Location: Hawthorn East | Intake: Semester 1 each year |
| Delivery: Part Time | Fees: Fee information can be found here |
| Duration: 1 Year Part Time | FEE-HELP: Yes |
Course Duration and Structure
This part time program consists of 50 credit points offered over a one year period. Students undertake a total of four coursework units of study.
| Year One | |
| CPc1 | Psychotherapeutic Theories and Models |
| CPc2 | Clinical Techniques and Interventions |
| CPc3 | Interpersonal Processes in Psychotherapy |
| CPc4 | Facilitating Therapeutic Change |
Admission Criteria
An Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in teaching, social work, social sciences, psychology or counselling with at least credit (60%) average. Depending on professional experience prospective students may be required to undertake the Basic Counselling Skills and Advanced Counselling Skills short courses prior to commencement.
For entry into the course, students are required to submit an application through the Apply Now page, with certified or original scanned copies of the following supporting documentation:
- Most recent academic transcripts
- A current curriculum vitae
- A 500 word personal statement outlining what factors have contributed to the application
- Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate)
- Two references, preferably with at least one academic, using the online HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here.
Successful applications will be invited to attend an interview with members of the School Teaching Faculty, providing students the opportunity to discuss any concerns they have about the proposed course of study.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Students applying for this program may enter into a process in which they may be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification in recognition of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established.
Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
- The ability to understand and practice within the PACFA Code of Ethics and Professional Guidelines.
- The capacity to relate in a facilitative way.
- Understanding and capacity for human relatedness.
- An awareness of the impact of the self on others.
- The capacity to be self-reflective and learn from experience.
- Knowledge and integration of the range of human diversity.
- Understand the impact of gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, class, religion and ethnicity on therapy.
- Respect and acknowledgement of indigenous history.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may gain employment in a variety of settings including the health professions, rehabilitation providers, human resource management, child protection, family support counselling.
Graduates of this program may be eligible to apply for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Professional Recognition
The course units form part of the nested suite of study within the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Further study (at least to the Graduate Diploma Level) is required to meet the professional training standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).