DEGREE PROGRAMME: MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT
PSYCHOTHERAPY*
Course Concept
The degree programme MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT
PSYCHOTHERAPY* is designed as a continuing education programme for qualified
psychotherapists.
It is also open to part-time students, as theory courses will be offered as comprehensive
evening and weekend seminars.
Course Description
This course is a four-semester degree programme. It comprises a theoretical part of 308
hours and a practical part of 430 hours.
Theoretical training is divided into general theory courses and specialized theory courses
which familiarizes students with various schools of psychotherapy and their models of
child and adolescent psychotherapy.
Practical training consists of training and education in one school of psychotherapy (incl.
100 hours supervision and reflection on the psychotherapeutic process) officially
recognized in Austria. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of competencies in child and
adolescent psychotherapy based on case studies. Equal weight is given to the reflection
of the psychotherapeutic process and introspection by focussing on the relationship
between the psychotherapist and their clients’ adult attachment figures.
Semester 1:
134 units* stretched over 8 comprehensive seminars (Thursday or Friday afternoons to
Saturday evenings)
Semester 2:
126 units stretched over 8 comprehensive seminars (Thursday or Friday afternoons to
Saturday evenings), 44 hours of psychotherapeutic practice and 8 hours supervision
Semester 3:
48 units (incl. the Master’s Thesis Preparation Seminar), 58 hours supervision in 6
comprehensive seminars (Thursday or Friday afternoons to Saturday evenings, 1
seminar: Wednesday afternoon to Saturday evening), 154 hours of psychotherapeutic
practice
Semester 4:
4 units (Seminar: Master’s Thesis Preparation), 34 hours supervision in 3 comprehensive
weekend seminars, 132 hours of psychotherapeutic practice, writing of the Master’s
Thesis
* 1 unit = 45 minutes
Curriculum
Semester 1:
Historical Development of Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents
Current Theories of Child Psychotherapy
Theoretical Approaches to Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Key Figures in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and their Contributions
Literature Seminar in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Paediatrics for Psychotherapists
Developmental Neurology
Child Psychopharmacology
Advanced Developmental Psychology I
- Cognitive Development
Selected Issues of Child Development I
- Child Raising Issues
- The Austrian School System / School Psychology
- Learning Disabilities
- Children and the Law
- Families in Transition
- Children and the Media
- Children and Addiction
- Children and Religion
- Children in Families with Extremist Views
- Adolescent Offenders
Advanced Psychodiagnostics for Children and Adolescents
Semester 2:
Advanced Developmental Psychology II
- Emotional and Social Development
Advanced Developmental Psychopathology
Psychosomatic Disorders in Children
Selected Issues of Child Development II
- Children and Violence
- Children and Trauma
- Sexual Abuse
- Migration
- Children and Death
- Children of Mentally Ill Parents
- Special Needs and Therapeutic Interventions
Selected Issues of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- The “Languages” used in Child Psychotherapy
- Settings
- Group Therapy with Children and Adolescents
- Crisis Intervention
- Frequency and Duration of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Semester 3:
Seminar: Psychotherapy Techniques on the Basis of Case Studies
Seminar: “The Unconscious Family”
Seminar: Master’s Thesis Preparation
Semester 4:
Seminar: Psychotherapy Techniques on the Basis of Case Studies
Seminar: Master’s Thesis Preparation
Programme Directors
Dr. Brigitte Sindelar
Teaching Staff
All teaching staff are leading academics and professionals in the field of child and
adolescent psychotherapy.
Staff Members Listed in Alphabetical Order:
Sally Balfour-Wüster
Univ. Prof. Dr. Ernst Berger
Dipl. päd. Jutta Bischof
Anna Maria Böckl
Werner Brandner
Univ. Prof. Dr. Marguerite Dunitz-Scheer
Mag. Holger Eich
Dr. Jutta Fiegl
Univ. Prof. Dr. Max H. Friedrich
Dr. Sonja Frucht
Dipl. Psych. Elke Garbe
Günther Juhnke MSc
Dr. Karin Krenkel
Susanne Mühlbacher-Thauss
Dr. Kerstin Nowotny
Dr. Binja Pletzer
Univ. Prof. Dr. Brigitte Rollett
Alexander Sadilek B.A.
Univ. Prof. Dr. Peter J. Scheer
Brigitte Schimpl B.A.
DSA Michael Schmalhofer
Dr. Brigitte Sindelar
Univ. Prof. Dr. Gerhard Trittenwein
Dipl. Soz. Päd. Judit Vesei
Mag. Dr. Eva Wolfram-Ertl
HR Dr. Mathilde Zeman
Dr. Hans Zimprich
Dr. Vera Zimprich
Admission
Psychotherapists qualified in one of the officially recognized psychotherapy schools in
Austria may be admitted to the degree programme.
Fees
EUR 3,250 per semester (incl. supervision).
Students can take out an educational loan with WÜSTENROT with a repayment rate
starting from approx. EUR 110 per month. For details contact Dr. Josef Mayer,
Bausparkasse Wüstenrot, Tel.: +43 057070 100-579, e-mail: redaktion@wuestenrot.at
Registration
To register write to office@sfu.ac.at
and we will send you a registration form via e-mail.