Postgraduate Educational Program in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

EQF Level 7​

Introduction and Objectives of the Educational Program

Postgraduate Educational Program “Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents” (2025-2030) it is based on the standards of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), the Strasbourg Declaration on Psychotherapy, the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The program is accredited by the EAP, EIATSCYP, and EAIP and is implemented as a comprehensive training lasting 4.5 academic years.

The program is designed to respond to the increasing demands and specific challenges in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy, taking into account their developmental context, family dynamics, and the broader social environment. Special emphasis is placed on the promotion of mental health and preventive activities at all three levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary, which are key strategies in the preservation of mental health as the foundation of overall health.

The program integrates theoretical knowledge, practical application, and supervised work, enabling participants to acquire specialized competencies necessary for working in child and adolescent psychotherapy. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the program provides skills for recognizing and treating psychological difficulties, early intervention, and systemic support, while also strengthening the capacity to design and implement preventive programs in the community.

Following the European and global educational standards and the guidelines of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Action Plan of the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF strategies, the educational program enables the acquisition of specialized knowledge, practical skills, and competencies necessary for successful, ethically grounded, and interdisciplinary work. Special emphasis is placed on lifelong professional and personal development, with the integration of theoretical models, clinical practice, and supervision.

The main goal of the program is to equip professionals for ethical and competent work in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy, with a special emphasis on the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The program is aligned with the needs of contemporary society and enables participants to acquire competencies to address complex challenges in the field of child and youth mental health.

The educational program prepares participants for gaining professional and academic experience, with a special focus on clinical skills, professional competencies, personal growth and development, supervision, as well as multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. The program meets the criteria of good clinical practice, ensuring a high standard of education and research in accordance with European and international criteria.

Duration and Structure of the Program

The educational curriculum is aligned with the EQF document of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) for EAPTI (European Accredited Psychotherapy Training Institutes) and the reference framework “Mapping ECP Training Hours to ECTS”, ensuring the highest standards of education and professional practice in accordance with European norms (EQF).

The program lasts four and a half years, encompassing a total of 3600 learning hours and awarding 120 ECTS/ECVET credits. The curriculum is carefully designed to ensure the comprehensive development of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, personal growth, and research capacities essential for work in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy. (1 ECVET/ECTS = 30 HOURS)

Program Content / Modules

Total overview of the educational programme: 3,600 hours – ECVET/ECTS 120

Learning Outcomes in the Cognitive Domain

The educational programme equips participants with professional and academic competencies through the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The programme focuses on developing the following key areas:

• Clinical skills – Developing the ability to assess, plan and manage the therapeutic process with children, adolescents and their families in accordance with The Convention on the Rights of the Child and in accordance with the Rules of Child Protection Procedures.
• Professional Competencies – Building professional knowledge and skills according to the highest standards of psychotherapy practice. Read more
• Personal Growth and Development – Enhancing personal capacities and emotional maturity necessary for working in the sensitive field of child and adolescent psychotherapy.
• Supervision – Gaining experience through the supervision of clinical practice and evaluation by experienced supervisors.
• Multidisciplinary and Intersectoral Collaboration – Strengthening capacities for working in interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support to children, young people, and their families.
• Application of Integrative Techniques – Developing the ability to apply psychotherapeutic techniques tailored to the individual needs of children and adolescents and in accordance with their developmental stages.
• Theoretical-Practical Integration – Connecting contemporary theoretical and neuroscientific models with practical work through supervision, seminars, training, and case analyses.
• Ethics and Professionalism – Understanding and applying ethical principles in psychotherapeutic work with children, adolescents, and their families, as well as within the wider environment.

The programme meets the criteria of good clinical practice, ensuring a high standard of education and research in accordance with European and international norms and core competencies.

Learning Outcomes in the Area of Communication Skills

Participants will be equipped to:

1. Professional communication with other experts and specialists working with children and adolescents, with a clear understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration.
2. Using and understanding theoretical concepts from different psychotherapeutic approaches that support work with children and adolescents.
3. Professional and ethical communication with children, adolescents, and their parents during the psychotherapeutic process.
4. Maintaining required client documentation in an ethical and professional manner.
5. Writing and presenting one’s own work to other colleagues and professionals in a professional manner.

Learning Outcomes for Self-Learning/Self-Education Skills

Participants will be equipped to:

1. Researching relevant literature and engaging in continuous professional development in the fields of developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychopathology, diagnostics, therapeutic plans, and interventions.
2. Producing a comprehensive literature review in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy.
3. Critically evaluating the available literature, recognising the reliability of sources, and distinguishing the quality of available information in the field of psychotherapy through active analysis of literature in the area of child and adolescent psychotherapy.
4. Critically evaluating the available literature, recognising the reliability of sources, and distinguishing the quality of available information in the field of psychotherapy through active analysis of literature in the area of child and adolescent psychotherapy.

Andragogical Approach and Learning Methods

The programme is implemented using andragogical working principles (voluntariness, appropriateness, cost-effectiveness, gradual progression, etc.) and both traditional and non-traditional learning methods, based on the principle of active participant involvement through experiential learning and reflective and transformative learning. The curriculum is structured and delivered through the following methods:

• Lectures
• Presentations
• Discussions
• Workshops
• Work in Small Groups (including personal therapy in the role of student-client)
• Roles and Simulations (role-plays)
• Live Practical Demonstrations
• Seminars

Special emphasis is placed on the development of reflective and critical thinking, creativity, the ability to analyse and synthesise, and active participation in the educational process.

In accordance with the problem-based approach in implementing the andragogical curriculum, the delivery of individual modules may be subject to changes in sequence depending on participants’ needs (availability of lecturers, participants’ obligations, possibilities of conducting classes outside the Academy premises, etc.).

Assessment of Knowledge and Competencies

The educational programme enables each participant to demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills acquired through various evaluation methods, taking into account individual learning styles and areas for further development.

Assessment methods include:

• Seminar papers, essays, written assignments
• Presentations
• Clinical evaluations
• Assessment (personal, group, individual therapists, supervisors, mentors)
• Practical work (practicum)
• Activity Records
• Reflective journal
• Written and oral exam

The final examination is based on a case study and a practical live demonstration, during which participants present and defend the competencies they have acquired.

Each module in the program includes at least two evaluation points, combining theoretical and practical aspects through various assessments of knowledge and skills.

Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation of student work within the educational program includes written assignments (seminar paper, essay), oral presentation, and the final exam (case study, practical work, theoretical review, and defense of the work).

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Target Group

The programme is designed for professionals who wish to become integrative child and adolescent psychotherapists and develop competencies to work with children, adolescents, families, couples, and groups within psychotherapeutic practice.

Duration and Mode of Delivery

• Duration: 4 years and 6 months (part-time study)
• Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face contact teaching or online teaching (as needed)
• Total Learning Hours: 3600 hours

Total Learning Hours and Activity Distribution

The educational program encompasses a total of 3600 learning hours, distributed across the following categories:

• Contact hours (theory, methodology, research, defense of seminar and research papers, and final thesis defense) → 1124 hours
• Clinical practice → 400 hours
• Supervised practice and clinical work → 220 hours
• Assessment (Self-assessment and group assessment) – Self-evaluation and group evaluation of knowledge and competences (exams, written assignments, oral and written reflection, case studies, practical evaluation) → 486 hours
• Personal growth and development → 260 hours
• Independent learning hours (literature study, maintaining a personal and professional journal, exam preparation, reflection, research) → 1110 hours

🔹 Total number of hours 3600 → 120 ECTS

The program is aligned with European and international standards of psychotherapy education and ensures a high level of professional and clinical competencies.

⚠️ This curriculum and all its parts are protected by copyright. Unauthorized copying, distribution, or use for any purpose is prohibited without prior written permission from BHIDAPA, the European Accredited Psychotherapy Training Institute and founder of the Academy of Psychotherapy.

BHIDAPA, 30 January 2025 (published)