University of Sydney

Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy)

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Learn to support individuals affected by trauma-related conditions through our Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy), designed for mental health professionals and related clinicians seeking specialised skills.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy) teaches an approach that helps people with personality or anxiety disorders, dysthymia, post-traumatic disorders, chronic depression, somatisation and other conditions in which trauma is a contributing factor.

This course is suitable for clinicians with mental health experience, such as social workers, psychologists, nurses, psychotherapists, counsellors and school counsellors. It may be of interest to others, such as speech pathologists and dentists.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Not available full-time
12 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
$4,437.50
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is based on the indicative tuition fee per subject.
Campus
Westmead
Intake
22nd February, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
5
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

Students must complete 24 credit points of stream-specific units of study. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is valued at six credit points.

Stream specific units

  • Psychodynamic Principles and Frameworks
  • Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Practice A (3 credit points)
  • Practising Psychodynamic Psychotherapy B (3 credit points)
  • Growth, Trauma and Adaptation

Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires:

  • A bachelor's or postgraduate degree in a health-related discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.
  • A minimum of 12 months of experience in a clinical area related to mental health.
  • A current professional indemnity insurance to practise psychotherapy in Australia.
  • Satisfactory performance at an interview as required.

English language requirements

If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the English language requirements if you have citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum ten years) and completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the University in an approved English-speaking country.

If English is not your first language, you can prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test within two years of commencing the course.

Required scores:

  • IELTS score: A minimum score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.5 in each band.
  • TOEFL - IBT score: A minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 22 in Writing.
  • Pearson's Test of English: A minimum result of 72 overall and a minimum result of 64 in each band.

Contact the university or visit its website for more details.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates of this course are trained to deal effectively with people who suffer from:

  • Personality disorders
  • Complex traumatic and dissociative disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Dysthymia
  • Chronic depression
  • Somatisation
  • Other conditions in which chronic complex trauma is a contributing factor

The therapeutic approach is based on the Conversational Model, but also incorporates concepts from other schools and theories, including self-psychology, intersubjectivity, development, attachment, trauma, memory systems and neuroscience.

Graduates and affiliates have become leaders and change champions in this area.

Fees and CSP

Domestic full-fee paying prices

  • Indicative tuition fee per 6-credit-point equivalent in 2027: $4,437.50
  • Indicative total course fee in 2027: $17,750

Commonwealth supported prices

  • Indicative student contribution per 6-credit-point equivalent in 2027: $1,755.75
  • Indicative total student contribution in 2027: $7,023

Eligible domestic full-fee paying students may access FEE-HELP to defer all or part of their tuition fees.

Eligible Commonwealth supported students may access HECS-HELP to defer their student contributions.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) may apply and is not included in the indicative tuition fees.

Tuition fees are subject to annual review and may change.