Post Graduate Diploma in Family and Systemic Practice (PGD-FSP)

Course Details

Introduction

This course is practice-oriented and especially relevant to participants who are required to work with couples and families in their professional clinical settings. The programme is offered at the intermediate level of training in systemic and family psychotherapy, which is a progression from the basic level, “Post Graduate Certificate in Systemic Thinking and Approaches – Applications in Social Work and Clinical Practice”. It provides participants with a greater understanding of the dynamics of working with couples and families from a systemic framework, and equips them with a repertoire of skills and techniques in conducting clinical sessions with couples and families.

Objectives

This course enables participants to:
1.	Acquire an intermediate level of theoretical and clinical training in working with couples and families, from a systemic approach.
2.	Develop clinical and case management skills in engaging couples and families with a range of challenging issues when working in multi-disciplinary settings.
3.	Increase self-reflexivity and its application in clinical practice.
4.	Increase awareness and management of ethical issues and dilemmas.
5.	Increase abilities to evaluate and critique research studies in application to clinical practice.

Duration

270 hours, 12 months (with breaks in June and December 2021)

Structure

The course will be on Thursdays, 2pm-5.30pm AND Fridays, 9am to 12.30pm. There will be 2 blocks of intensive training sessions (2.5 consecutive days per block) from two visiting lecturers in the months of April and October 2021 respectively.

Course Modules	Trainers
Module 1: Systemic Practice with Couples (98 hours) Reconnecting with a selection of systemic theories and models that are effective for working with couples Coverage on challenges faced by couples in relation to issues – namely emotions and high conflicts, betrayal and infidelity, relational/domestic violence, sexual issues, grief, loss, trauma, separation and divorce, post-divorce work, health and mental health concerns, illness and disabilities. Harnessing couples’ internal, spiritual and relational resources Supervision and practice on working with couples: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with couples in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows: Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with couples in their own workplace for videotape supervision. Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.	Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Rebecca Tan (Mrs Rebecca Lo), Sim Sian Kiong (Elijah), Steven Soh, Tony Ong, Terence Tan and Jadelyn Lim (Mrs Jade Low). 2.5 days’ intensive training with visiting lecturer on specialised topics
Module 2: Systemic Practice with Children, Youth and their Families (81 hours) Reconnecting with a selection of systemic theories and models that are effective for working with children, youth and their families; Coverage on major themes in working with children and families – namely developmental issues, negotiating transitions, establishing stability, managing change, grief and loss, working with children and youth with parents with mental illness, and interventions with families in legal and social service contexts. Understanding the emotional world of children – namely play, emotions, and the effects of traumatic experiences Building therapeutic relationships with children, youth and families, and bringing forth strengths and resilience Supervision and practice on working with children, youth and families: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with children and families in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows: Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with children and families in their own workplace for videotape supervision. Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.	Ruth Chua, Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Tony Ong, Terence Tan, Cheryl Lim and Valerie Oh. 2.5 days’ intensive training with visiting lecturer on specialised topics.
Module 3: Supervision and Practice on Working with Couples and Families (91 hours) Integration of theory and practice in working with couples, children and families Attending to the person of the therapist, the use of self in therapy and self-care practices Essential areas of learning and discussion for developing participants’ awareness and practice of one’s therapeutic postures in the therapy relationship, such as, ethical Issues, and appreciating research and its value in enhancing clinical practice Supervision and practice on working with couples, children and families: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with couples, children and families in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows: Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with couples, children and families in their own workplace for videotape supervision. Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.	Ruth Chua, Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Terence Tan and Valerie Oh.

Course Modules

Trainers

Module 1: Systemic Practice with Couples (98 hours)

Reconnecting with a selection of systemic theories and models that are effective for working with couples
Coverage on challenges faced by couples in relation to issues – namely emotions and high conflicts, betrayal and infidelity, relational/domestic violence, sexual issues, grief, loss, trauma, separation and divorce, post-divorce work, health and mental health concerns, illness and disabilities.
Harnessing couples’ internal, spiritual and relational resources
Supervision and practice on working with couples: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with couples in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows:
- Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with couples in their own workplace for videotape supervision.
- Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.

Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Rebecca Tan (Mrs Rebecca Lo), Sim Sian Kiong (Elijah), Steven Soh, Tony Ong, Terence Tan and Jadelyn Lim (Mrs Jade Low).

2.5 days’ intensive training with visiting lecturer on specialised topics

Module 2: Systemic Practice with Children, Youth and their Families (81 hours)

Reconnecting with a selection of systemic theories and models that are effective for working with children, youth and their families;
Coverage on major themes in working with children and families – namely developmental issues, negotiating transitions, establishing stability, managing change, grief and loss, working with children and youth with parents with mental illness, and interventions with families in legal and social service contexts.
Understanding the emotional world of children – namely play, emotions, and the effects of traumatic experiences
Building therapeutic relationships with children, youth and families, and bringing forth strengths and resilience
Supervision and practice on working with children, youth and families: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with children and families in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows:
- Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with children and families in their own workplace for videotape supervision.
- Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.

Ruth Chua, Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Tony Ong, Terence Tan, Cheryl Lim and Valerie Oh.

2.5 days’ intensive training with visiting lecturer on specialised topics.

Module 3: Supervision and Practice on Working with Couples and Families (91 hours)

Integration of theory and practice in working with couples, children and families
Attending to the person of the therapist, the use of self in therapy and self-care practices
Essential areas of learning and discussion for developing participants’ awareness and practice of one’s therapeutic postures in the therapy relationship, such as, ethical Issues, and appreciating research and its value in enhancing clinical practice
Supervision and practice on working with couples, children and families: Participants will experience the team approach via group supervision of their direct work with couples, children and families in their own work settings. The sessions will be conducted as follows:
- Participants are to take turns in presenting their video recording of direct work with couples, children and families in their own workplace for videotape supervision.
- Observation of therapy by course mates and supervisors, as well as participation in preparation of cases and review of videotapes.

Ruth Chua, Sharon Koh (Mrs Sharon Sng), Foo Soo Jen, Terence Tan and Valerie Oh.

Minimum Class Size: 10
Average Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:10

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Due to the uncertainties of COVID-19, we will be conducting all lectures online via zoom. Trainees will attend online lectures for the first module, together with the Post Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice with Couples. The lectures for the second module will be conducted online together with the Post Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice with children, youth and families.

Group supervision will be conducted in small groups (less than 10 persons) at our premise. Each group will be assigned with a supervisor for interactive and experiential learning such as group discussions, reflective exercises, audio/video-taped demonstration of clinical work, supervised practice of clinical work, and presentation of portfolio.

However, in the event that the pandemic worsens and that we are unable to gather for group supervision sessions, we will adjust and run the training with adaption to the prevailing safe management measures. We will make these arrangements as soon as there is clarity about what is safe.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should:
1.	Be at least 24 years old and be proficient in English
2.	Preferably possess a degree in social work, psychology, counselling and other relevant qualifications and experience.
3.	Have completed a postgraduate certificate/basic course in systemic thinking and family therapy with a minimum of 60 training hours.
4.	Have at least 3 years relevant work experience, and is currently involved in direct clinical work with couples and families in their own work settings. This is necessary due to the course requirements.
5.	Obtain relevant permission for audio/video recorded materials to be utilised for supervision in class, and/or for clients to be brought in for live supervised practice.
6.	Practitioners with a diploma in social work or counselling may also apply, and must also meet the above-stated requirement 2 and 3.

Requirements for Completion

Methods of Assessment

Written assignment, project paper, Portfolio of Clinical Practice and Integration of Learning, Clinical Supervisor’s continual assessment of learning.

Requirements for Completion

Trainees should:
1.	Attain attendance of at least 80% of total course hours (270 Hours)
2.	Submit and pass two written essays.
3.	Present and pass Portfolio of Clinical Practice and Integration of Learning – presentation of videotaped material of clinical work with discussion of knowledge of systemic theories and references from relevant research studies to a panel of assessors, demonstrating appropriate conceptualisation and integration of theory in relation to therapeutic work.
4.	Receive satisfactory assessment by supervisors.
5.	Participate in personal development sessions.
6.	Complete log of clinical work of at least 60 hours with couple and families in their home agencies.
7.	Complete 20 hours of tape reviews of their work with couples and families.
8.	Complete supervised clinical work.

Application

2021/2022 Intake

2021 INTAKE: APRIL 2021 Applications closed on 11 Mar 2021 5pm.
Date of commencement	15 April 2021
Date of completion	25 Feb 2022

2021 INTAKE: APRIL 2021

Applications closed on 11 Mar 2021 5pm.

Date of commencement

15 April 2021

Date of completion

25 Feb 2022

Documents for Application

Submission of the following supportive documents is required for processing of the application:
1.	CV
2.	Educational qualifications
3.	Completed Letter of reference from the home agency/ Employer
4.	Personal statement – A letter of introduction not exceeding 500 words on your reasons and/or experiences that have shaped your desire to apply for this course of study

SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS

Applicants will be notified via email within 7 days from the closing date of application if they have been shortlisted for an interview.
Only shortlisted applicants will be scheduled for an entrance interview to be assessed for suitability for admission into the course.
They are also to prepare an audio/videotaped segment of their clinical work, preferably with couples or families in their work settings, as part of the entrance interview.
Interviews will be scheduled between 19 March to 26 March 2021.
Successful applicants will have to attend a compulsory meeting to sign the Student Contract on 5 Apr 2021, 12.00 pm via Zoom platform.

How to Apply

Please submit the Training Application Form for online course application.

Enquiries

For further information, please submit your enquiries using the Contact Us form. Please remember to mention the name of the course you are enquiring about.