Key Facts
Semester 2
Course Overview
The Master of Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health provides students with high level training in assessment and therapeutic modalities and interventions for working with children, youth, and families.
Cairnmillar’s vision is to advance the delivery of innovative, evidence-based, and accessible psychological and counselling services and professional mental health education throughout Australia. With this vision in mind, the course has been designed through a holistic and systemic lens on mental health, which incorporates prevention, early intervention, and treatment of children and their families within their contextual framework.
While there are various definitions of ‘child’, ‘adolescent’, and ‘youth’, the course follows the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition that places childhood between the ages of 0 – 19 years with adolescence between 10 – 19 years, and youth up to 24 years.
The course content encapsulates foundational elements of developmental theory, assessment processes, family structure and influence, and early intervention. Students will also learn about family systems and trauma-focused intervention and be trained in professional practice and ethics. Students in this course will also undertake two supervised placement units.
On completion of the course, students will have counselling and assessment knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural therapies and family therapy, to apply to their current work practices and to enhance self-reflection and understanding. Psychologists, counsellors, and social workers (i.e., those with mental health accreditation) who undertake this course will be eligible to apply for Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) specialist accreditation.
The course is designed to provide students with advanced assessment and therapeutic techniques, observational, and practice skills. There is a strong experiential focus to give students every opportunity to apply knowledge and practice skills. This hands-on approach is aimed to give students confidence and provide the best learning experience. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their strengths and limitations in the therapeutic setting and will be provided with practice and learning experiences to address these.
Additionally, students will be trained in research methods with a focus on evidence-based practice. Techniques in understanding academic research writing and recognising key components of research will form part of the research experience providing students with the background and skills to undertake and successfully complete their research project.
2023 Course Information Session
Application Period
Mid-Year Applications are now open & will close on 25th June
Information Evening
Online Course Information Session - Thursday, 20th April - 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Course Structure
The Master of Child, Youth and Family Mental Health consists of 200 credit points. There are 11 course work units (137.5 credit points), three research units (37.5 credit points) and two practical placement units (25 credit points).
Part-time (4 years) structure:
| Year | Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | 1 | FMH401 | Counselling Skills and Psychotherapeutic Approaches | 12.5 |
| 1 | 1 | FMH402 | Foundations in Child and Adolescent Development and Assessment | 12.5 |
| 1 | 2 | FMH403 | Supporting and Coaching Parents and Families | 12.5 |
| 1 | 2 | FMH404 | Prevention and Early Intervention | 12.5 |
| 2 | 1 | FMH405 | Professional Practice and Ethics | 12.5 |
| 2 | 1 | FMH406 | Working with Families | 12.5 |
| 2 | 2 | FMH407 | Advanced Child and Adolescent Development and Assessment | 12.5 |
| 2 | 2 | FMH460 | Supervised Placement | 12.5 |
| 3 | 1 | FMH501 | Diversity in Child, Youth, and Family Practice | 12.5 |
| 3 | 1 | FMH502 | Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Therapies | 12.5 |
| 3 | 2 | FMH550 | Research Project A: Research Methodology in Child, Youth, and Family Studies | 12.5 |
| 3 | 2 | FMH503 | Advanced Counselling and Complex Cases | 12.5 |
| 4 | 1 | FMH504 | Intergenerational Trauma and Trauma Focused Interventions | 12.5 |
| 4 | 1 | FMH551 | Research Project B | 12.5 |
| 4 | 2 | FMH552 | Research Project C | 12.5 |
| 4 | 2 | FMH560 | Supervised Placement | 12.5 |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have completed an Australian Graduate Diploma or equivalent (AQF 8) in a related discipline (such as teaching, social work, social sciences, psychology, counselling), with a minimum of credit average (60%).
Documentation required in the application:
- Most recent academic transcript(s).
- A current Curriculum Vitae (resume).
- A 500-word personal statement, outlining what factors have contributed to the application and why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar.
- Two references, preferably at least one academic, using the HODSPA reference system.
- Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate).
Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants an opportunity to discuss any questions they may have about the course. Further information on interviews can be found on our FAQ page here.
Please see our How to Apply page for detailed instructions on applying through Cairnmillar’s online Application Portal.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Students who satisfactorily complete this course will have achieved advanced knowledge and skills to
be able to:
- Demonstrate high-level applied knowledge of core developmental and counselling theories, concepts, and practice
- Critically evaluate theories and therapeutic models to generate novel solutions to complex problems in child, youth, and family contexts
- Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective practice, and relate to others respecting all aspects of human diversity
- Communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally in written and oral communication across face-to-face and online environments
- Identify, analyse, and resolve complex ethical and professional dilemmas while applying knowledge of different ethical paradigms, PACFA code of ethics, professional conduct guidelines, and the relevant legal State and Commonwealth guides
- Apply knowledge of theoretical concepts, therapeutic models, and counselling skills to facilitate change ethically and professionally
- Apply a range of evidence-based psychotherapies in working with children, adolescents, and families
- Employ autonomy, responsibility, and accountability in self-directed learning that facilitates lifelong learning and ongoing professional development
Fees & Scholarships
**Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: Fees & Scholarships.
For general information, please visit our FAQ page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Graduates of the Master of Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health will be able to apply knowledge and skills acquired to their workplaces.
Graduates will also be able to consider further study or employment in a range of fields such as community health and community services, rehabilitation, human resources, child protection, family support services, allied health clinics and services, and private practice.
On completion of the course, graduates who are mental health professionals (such as psychologists, counsellors, social workers) will be eligible to apply for specialist accreditation with PACFA.
Accreditation
The Master of Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health is accredited by TEQSA and abides by the Higher Education Standards Framework (2019). The program sits within level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
For more information on study and professional pathways, visit our Pathways & Registration page.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous study, skills or experience.
Students may only be given credit for any coursework if it is from a successfully completed approved course at the appropriate Australian AQF postgraduate level.
Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here. Further information on RPL can be found here.
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