CTC Certificate in Child Psychotherapy

This Play Therapy course is designed as an advanced supplementary training for qualified therapists and psychologists, to work creatively with children and young people. It is also suitable for graduates of ‘tool-kit’ approach play therapy courses that do not focus on understanding play therapy as a psychotherapy approach. Traditional psychotherapy training focuses on work with adults. This specialised course will build on core training to develop the expertise and skills necessary to work successfully with young clients.

Traditional ‘talking therapies’ do not meet the needs of children – the language of childhood is play. Child centred therapy involves the use of play therapy and creative techniques and media, taking account of the child’s developmental level, dependency, and emerging needs. Child therapists must be willing and able to meet their clients and communicate with them in a way that facilitates growth and recovery. The core trainer for this course is Eileen Prendiville ECP, MIAHIP, SIAHIP, MIAPTP.

The Certificate course can be taken as a stand alone course, or as part of the Diploma in Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy. The Certificate in Child Psychotherapy (24 days) focuses on the process of play therapy and working with children as a psychotherapist, and the Modular Diploma in Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy (which includes the Certificate Course as an essential component bringing total number of training days attended to 41 days) offers a range of additional modules in relation to working with specific creative approaches, client groups, and clinical issues. Participants can take begin to take modules of the Diploma course before, during or after the Certificate training.

Course content was updated in 2011, and 3 additional training days were added, to give more time to explore the use of play therapy with children with adjustment issues, organic difficulties, and those who have experienced trauma and/or neglect.

Certificate Course Content

• CHILD CENTRED PHILOSOPHY
• THERAPEUTIC POWERS OF PLAY
• DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS
• THE CLIENT WITH PARTICULAR NEEDS
• DEVELOPMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC PLAY
• PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GROUPWORK WITH CHILDREN
• CLIENT-CENTRED PLAY THERAPY
• MATERIALS FOR THE PLAY THERAPY ROOM
• THE NON-DIRECTIVE APPROACH IN ACTION
• FOCUSED PLAY THERAPY TECHNIQUES
• A CONCEPTUALISING FRAMEWORK
• THE EMBODIMENT/PROJECTIVE/ROLE PARADIGM
• THE CHILD CLIENT WITHIN THE FAMILY
• THE PROCESS OF THERAPY WITH CHILDREN
• UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN THE CHILD’S PLAY
• READING PLAY AS THE LANGUAGE OF THE CHILD
• TRAUMA AND RECOVERY IN CHILDHOOD
• ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
• INTRODUCTIONS TO EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPIES

This Certificate course focuses on the use of Play Therapy, and introduces Sandplay, projective techniques, therapeutic stories, creative visualisation and the expressive therapies. In addition, participants will develop skills in using sand and water play, puppets, drama games, music and movement, and will learn how to plan and facilitate personal development group sessions, for developmental or therapeutic purposes, with children. Diploma course modules include a focus on working with children with attachment difficulties, creative therapy with adolescents and adults, responding therapeutically to child sexual abuse, play drama and storymaking in therapy, and a range of other topics.

Graduates of the Diploma will have met the training requirements for accreditation with the Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy.

About The Course

This is essentially a training in Play Therapy for qualified mental health professionals. It is an eclectic training, experientially based, involving:

Skills Development
The main focus of the course is on skills development and incorporates role-play, peer practice and case studies.

Theory
A theoretical framework is built throughout the course to facilitate understanding and integration of course material.

Personal Development
Trainees will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with sand play, creative therapies, and projective techniques. Numerous opportunities arise to facilitate a deepening of your awareness of your own personal process.
Trainees are advised to attend a minimum of ten personal therapy sessions over the duration of the training.

Selection Procedure
Places are allocated having regard to relevant qualifications, personal suitability, and balance within the group. Prospective participants are required to submit an application form and curriculum vitae and may be asked to attend for interview.

Applicants
This training is of interest to psychotherapists, counsellors, and psychologists who would like to work with children, or already do so. Satisfactory completion of prior, core training is essential. It is beneficial if students can arrange some therapeutic work with children, & appropriate supervision, over the duration of the course. Students who do not have experience of working with children are advised to undertake some child observation sessions of children at play before the course begins. Guidance on arranging this, and recording guidelines etc, is offered by the Centre.

Ideally, applicants will have trained in a specific model of counselling or psychotherapy in a core training that included content in relation to theories of personality, principles of psychotherapy, and legal, professional and ethical issues. In addition, candidates would benefit from having studied child development and child and adolescent psychopathology. Reading in these areas prior to starting the course is advised.

Accreditation
A Modular Diploma Course is available for students who wish to expand their learning in this area and/or seek accreditation as a Play Therapist with the IAPTP: Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy, who recognise this course. Trainees can start taking Diploma modules before, during or after completing the Certificate. It is not possible to be awarded the Diploma in Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy without successfully completing the Certificate component.

While the Certificate course is a closed group, with the same participants attending each module throughout the year, the Diploma course, comprises a variety of modules (an additional 17 days of training) which are chosen by the student to suit their own timetable. Some modules are essential but there are choices available to suit particular interests. The Certificate course focuses on core play therapy competencies, Diploma modules focus on specific issues, interventions, and client groups. Separate details are available on request.

Course Duration

The certificate course runs from October to June, over twenty-four full days, generally being one 3 day weekend of training per month for eight months (only one in either Dec or Jan).

Provisional dates for 2013 – 2014 course are: 26^th – 28^th October, 22^nd – 24^th Nov, 18^th – 19^th Jan, 7^th – 9^th Feb, 15^th – 17^th March, 12^th Apr (Dublin), 13^th – 14^th Apr, 16^th – 18^th May, 7^th – 9^th June.

Venue
The course is run in Ballymore, County Westmeath. Ballymore is approximately 8 miles from Moate, and is midway between Athlone and Mullingar – right in the centre of Ireland! The course is not residential; however, we can provide you with details of reasonably priced B&B’s and self catering accommodation in the area.

Fees
The Certificate course fee is €2800. A non-refundable deposit of €300 is payable on acceptance of a place. A further payment of €1000 is due in late September. The remainder becomes due 2 weeks before the beginning of the course. However, individual payment plans can be arranged.

The Certificate & Diploma in Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy are recognised courses of the IAPTP: Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy. Graduates are eligible for professional accreditation as a Play Therapist.

Certificate in Child Psychotherapy Application Form

Further Information 
Contact: Eileen Prendiville, Children’s Therapy Centre, Tír Na nÓg, Slievenagorta, Ballymore, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

Phone: 0876488149 E-mail: childrenstherapycentre@gmail.com

By admin in Courses for Therapists on December 30, 2011