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CPS5007 · Principles of short term therapy

Official Handbook

2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTC

Overview

This unit provides you with an understanding of the history and development of the practice of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. You will explore how the theoretical principles and practices of short-term therapy can be applied to work with parents and infants, children, adolescents and families. You will analyse case studies in the readings and their own work experiences to explore the practice issues.

Offerings

CampusTeaching periodMode
ClaytonSecond semesterA combination of on-campus and online teaching in a block period (FLX-BLK)

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
1Essay (2,000 words)Written35%
2On-campus Weekend Workshop (1,200 words)Demonstration20%
3Online Moodle Discussion Forum taskDemonstration10%
4Critical analysis (2,000 words)Written35%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

prerequisite

  • CPS5001 — Psychoanalytic and developmental theories 1
  • CPS5002 — Normal developmental observation
  • CPS5003 — Psychoanalytic and developmental theories 2
  • CPS5004 — Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents

Joined by AND.

  • CPS5005 — Principles of child psychotherapy
  • CPS5006 — Principles of adolescent psychotherapy

Joined by OR.

Learning outcomes

  1. Evaluate the historical and theoretical development of short-term therapy;
  2. Critically analyse the models and central issues of short-term therapy;
  3. Explain how psychoanalytic concepts and techniques are used in short-term therapy;
  4. Critically analyse the application of short-term therapy to the age and developmental stage and presentation of the particular child or adolescent;
  5. Explore the practice and application of short-term therapy in a variety of clinical contexts.

Workload

In this unit there will be 12 hours of teaching and learning activities per week comprising a mix of teacher-directed and self-directed learning, including readings, video resources, online discussions, interactive tutorials, a reflective journal, and written assessments. In addition, students in this Unit will attend and participate in the half day weekend workshop.

ActivityDuration
Tutorials9 hours

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