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INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY TRAINING

POST MASTER’S PROGRAM IN ADVANCED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK

The Post Masters Program assists social work clinicians to strengthen their practice skills by working with colleagues who share their practice orientation and specialization. Students in the NYS certificate program enroll in two courses per semester over a two-year period.
A theory class is followed by a practicum that applies the theory to student case material from their own practice.

Readings and papers are assigned in both classes.  Instructors determine students’ successful completion of each course before they can progress to the next set of classes. 

Consistent attendance and timeliness are required (university standards prohibit credit when there is excessive absence) in the service of both learning and community building in the class.

For all classes, supervision must be obtained by the student in his/her practice setting. 

Instructors are licensed clinicians, practicing Social Work (LMSW or LCSW), who learn and teach with a commitment to quality client care.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Two-Year NYS Certificate Program in Individual Practice

Two-Year NYS Certificate Program in Family Practice (includes Couples therapy)

One-year NYS Continuation Certificate in Individual Practice for graduates of the two-year Family Practice sequence

One-year NYS Continuation Certificate in Family Practice for graduates of the two-year Individual Practice sequence

One-year program in Couples and Brief Family Practice.  (Students can apply to continue to second year Family Practice specialization, leading to NYS certification).
One-year program in Individual Practice (Students can apply to continue to second year of Individual Practice, leading to NYS certification).

All Certificate Program students also take a 3-session course in Ethics.

Program completion must be continuous. Partial registration is not permitted.

All classes meet Thursdays 6-10 p.m.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must hold the MSW degree and either the LMSW or LCSW.
Applicants must be actively engaged in and supervised in practice within the individual or family area they are studying. 

The Post Master’s Program does not supply clinical cases.

Applicants must have had clinical experience (as determined by Program Administrator).

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CERTIFICATE IN INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE
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This sequence emphasizes the interplay between the internal and external worlds of clients, emphasizing socio-cultural dimensions, individual and family histories, and developmental processes and issues.  The internal and external world of the practitioner as part of the clinical dyad is addressed as well.  Contemporary psychodynamic theories are applied.

Course Descriptions:

FIRST YEAR

101      ADVANCED ASSESSMENT (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Development is studied in relation to presenting clinical problems, overall functioning and social context.   Classical structural and topo-graphical theories are reviewed; emphasis is on relational theories as models for assessment of deficits and strengths Vis a Vis clinical presentation. The interplay of intra-psychic and socio-cultural experience is explored as an intrinsic dimension of assessment. 

101P    PRACTICUM I (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students are required to follow 2 cases per week throughout the semester. Students present their cases for group discussion and instructional guidance, applying the theoretical concepts of the companion theory course.

102      ASSESSMENT TO THE TREATMENT RELATIONSHIP
(2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Further study of relational theories deepens implications for practice, with emphasis on the therapeutic dyad and its role in treatment. 

102P    PRACTICUM II (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students continue to follow 2 cases per week throughout the semester. 
Students present their cases for group discussion and instructional guidance, with emphasis on the theoretical concepts operating in their treatment process.

                                                SECOND YEAR

103      THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS: CHARACTER PATHO-LOGIES AND PERSISTENT MOOD DISORDERS (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Chronic distortions in psychosocial functioning are viewed through the lens of differential assessment of developmental influences, including internalization of pathogenic relational structures, socio-cultural variations in behavioral norms, the interplay of mood disorders with other clinical states, and impact on the therapeutic dyad.

103P    PRACTICUM III (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students are required to follow 2 cases per week throughout the semester.  Students present their cases for group discussion and instructional guidance.  Contemporary findings regarding multi-dimensional treatment are the focus, including bio-psychiatry, recovery and wellness management, and the role of socio-cultural factors in perspectives on health, illness, and help-seeking behavior

104      THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS: TRAUMA, DISSOCI-ATIVE STATES, AND ACUTE PSYCHOSES (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Severe disruptions in psychosocial functioning are viewed through the lens of differential assessment of developmental risks and resiliencies, adaptations to pathological socio-cultural stressors, and theoretical concepts regarding the implications for the conduct of treatment.

104P    PRACTICUM IV  (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students are required to follow 2 cases per week throughout the semester.  Students present their cases for group discussion and instructional guidance. Comparative evaluation of therapeutic methods based on assessment is emphasized.  Special attention is paid to the clinician’s subjective distress and its management.

105E    Social Work Values And Ethical Issues In Clinical PRACTICE (3 hours/night; 3 consecutive weeks at start of Spring Semester)

This course is required for students pursing two- or three-year NYS Certification.  It is available as an elective for one-year students. 

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CERTIFICATE IN FAMILY PRACTICE
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Course Descriptions:

FIRST YEAR

301      BRIEF FAMILY THERAPY (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Two models of brief, solution-focused family therapy are taught.  Both models focus on clear definition of treatment goals and the use of specific techniques for goal formulation and facilitation of change.  Systems theory informs all family practice instruction.

301P    PRACTICUM I (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students are required to follow 2 families per week throughout the semester.  Family sub-groups are acceptable when clinically appropriate.  Students present their cases for group discussion and instructional guidance.  In vivo presentation of at least one session, by live interview in one-way viewing room, or by video recorded session, is required.

302      COUPLES TREATMENT (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Marital, common law, and same sex couples are the units of focus.  Adaptation of brief family therapy leads to specific techniques for work with couples. The impact of social forces on family functioning is assessed. 

302P    PRACTICUM II (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Students must have at least two couples per week in their practice throughout the semester, and bring one session to class in vivo in the one-way viewing room, or by video recording.

303      FAMILY TYPOLOGIES AND DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
 (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Family systems theory is applied to structure, developmental stage, eco-system, and the roles of cultural dimensions in formulating assessment and intervention plans that are congruent with the family’s current mode of functioning.  This course focuses on ongoing family treatment, and can include family sub-systems as part of the overall treatment process.

303P    PRACTICUM III (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Three family interviews per week are required.  At least one family session of an ongoing case must be brought to class in vivo in the one-way viewing room, or by video recording.  Class discussion and instructional guidance will focus on family typology, including socio-cultural influences on family structure, as well as expanded assessment and treatment structure.

304      EXPANDED MODELS OF FAMILY THERAPY (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Narrative therapy, family-or-origin therapy, and con-joint treatments are the focus.  The contributions of social constructivism and feminism are addressed.  Family themes across generations, the role of coaching, and collaboration with individual therapies are discussed.

304P    PRACTICUM IV (2 hours/week; 4 credits)

Four family interviews per week are required.  Students must bring at least one family session, which may be a family subsystem, in vivo in the one-way viewing room or by video recording. 

This one-year training option is comprised of completion of the first year of the Family Therapy curriculum.  All requirements are as stated above (301, 301P, 302, 302P).  Students who complete only the one-year program receive a Certificate of Completion from the Hunter College Program in Advanced Clinical Social Work.

This one-year training option is comprised of completion of the first year of the Individual Therapy curriculum.  All requirements are as stated above (101, 101P, 102, 102P).  Students who complete only the one-year program receive a Certificate of Completion from the Hunter College Program in Advanced Clinical Social Work.

Case and Supervision Options:  Where case-availability and supervision in the field are not provided at the student’s agency, the student prior to the start of any semester must make individual arrangements.  Individual arrangements must include appropriate supervision.

Graduation Requirements for NYS Certificate Program Students:  Completion of all 5 courses within a two-year continual course of study is required. 

Personal Therapy:  A disciplined use of self is essential for competence in clinical social work.  While personal therapy is not required, the student has the responsibility, including with instructor recommendation, to identify personal characteristics that may interfere in any way with the ability to be effective, and to take therapeutic measures to overcome such obstacles.

Fees, Withdrawal, and Incompletes:  All fees must be paid by the start of any semester. In the case of withdrawal, fees excepting application fee can be refunded in full only before classes begin. Withdrawal after the first class allows a 75% tuition refund.  No tuition refund is allowed after the student attends the second class of the term. 
  
Center for Advanced Clinical Education
Post Master’s Program in Advanced Clinical Social Work
Judith Rosenberger, PhD, LCSW, Director
(212) 452-7050

APPLICATION

Applications are available online (Hunter College School of Social Work; tab for Post-Masters
Programs) or by mail at 129 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075
(212)452-7050

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