PACFA is committed to offering clear pathways for expert members to have their skills recognised through PACFA’s college structure, which includes Psychotherapy, Creative and Experiential, Relationship Counselling, Educators, Indigenous Healing Practices and Supervision. Specialist training programs are designed for individuals who are already registered with PACFA and must be undertaken post-registration or concurrently with core training. It is important to note that while advanced specialist training does not provide a pathway to PACFA registration, it can assist members to meet the modality requirements for college membership.
Education and training providers that offer advanced specialist training are invited to apply for specialist program accreditation for the purpose of having the program recognised for accredited college entry. For more information regarding the application process, please review the information on the Apply for accreditation page and contact the PACFA office.
For members who are interested in pursuing advanced specialist training, the following programs are available.
Specialist training in Psychodrama
Psychodrama training, Psychodrama Australia (Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney) program currently seeking accreditation
This advanced specialist training program in Psychodrama comprises 800 hours of experiential workshops, and 1600 hours of reading, supervised practice, and written papers, completed over a minimum of five years. The training is accredited by the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association (AANZPA), towards certification as a Psychodramatist.
AANZPA is a PACFA Member Association of longstanding, and training is recognised as a modality of training for the purposes of College of Psychotherapy membership for PACFA registrants. Completion of the training leading to certification as a Psychodramatist exceeds the modality requirements of the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the Psychodrama Australia website.
Specialist training in Gestalt Therapy
Advanced clinical training in Relational Gestalt Psychotherapy, Gestalt Therapy Australia (Melbourne, VIC)
This advanced specialist training in Gestalt Therapy is a four-year program comprising approximately 150 hours of face-to-face training, including two residential retreats per year. The first two years form the Foundational Studies in Relational Gestalt Psychotherapy, an introduction to the fundamentals: essential theory and basic practices of gestalt therapy. The final two years form the Advanced Clinical Training in Relational Gestalt Therapy. These years are a deep dive into the nuances of gestalt practice and include a supervised internship at ConnectGround, the community-based counselling and psychotherapy clinic. Overall, the program offers 600 hours of in-person training over four years and an internship that offers a unique apprenticeship to become a Gestalt therapist. The four years together provide a comprehensive understanding of Relational Gestalt psychotherapy. This program will develop your clinical skills by honing your relational capacities and deepening your therapeutic presence.
Upon completing the specialist training in Gestalt Therapy and fulfilling all client contact and supervision requirements, PACFA registrants can apply for membership at the College of Psychotherapy. The training program and clinic hours will count towards the required 450 modality training and overall client hours.
For further information, please see the GTA website. Accreditation expires 20 June 2024.
Advanced Clinical training in Contemporary Gestalt Therapy, The Relational Institute of Australia (TRIA) (Crows Nest, NSW)
This advanced specialist training in Contemporary Gestalt Therapy is a two-year program comprising 400 hours of instruction with modules delivered as face to face and asynchronous learning activities, including self-directed learning, online tutorials, reflective practice, personal therapy and supervision sessions. The program provides a dynamic and contemporary learning experience and is grounded in a relational approach which integrates Gestalt therapy with body focused therapy, social construction and social neuroscience perspectives.
Completion of this advanced specialist training is recognised as modality training for the purposes of psychotherapy college accreditation for PACFA registrants. This includes completion of assessment, client contact and supervision as outlined. Accreditation means that the number of hours is recognised to contribute to the 450 hours of modality training required by the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the TRIA website. Accreditation expires 02 November 2026.
Specialist training in Logotherapy
Advanced Course in Meaning Centred Therapy (Logotherapy), Life Change Therapies (Online)
This advanced specialist training in Logotherapy is a four-unit program delivered as self-paced online modules, with an approximate duration of 18 months to two years (allowing six months to complete each unit). The program aims to equip students with an additional set of skills to strengthen professional expertise and provide a deeper understanding of what it means to be a human and of life itself.
It is important to note that PACFA registrants who wish to be recognised as Logotherapy Specialists must complete 72 hours of face-to-face instruction and 15 hours of client work. Completion of this advanced specialist training is recognised as modality training for the purposes of psychotherapy college accreditation for PACFA registrants. This includes completion of assessment, client contact and supervision as outlined. Accreditation means that the number of hours is recognised to contribute to the 450 hours of modality training required by the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the Life Change Therapies website. Accreditation expires 29 April 2024.
Specialist training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Postgraduate equivalent training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, The Equine Psychotherapy Institute (Regional Victoria)
This advanced specialist training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a 20 day in-person program comprising 160 hours of training, followed by certification requirements and additional clinical practice and supervision. The program provides an introductory level training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, covering experiential and relational psychotherapy theory and practice including trauma-informed practice, understanding how change happens, equine studies, horse-person-ship, horse safety and welfare.
Completion of this advanced specialist training is recognised as modality training for the purposes of psychotherapy college accreditation for PACFA registrants upon completion of the full certification. This includes completion of assessment, client contact and supervision as outlined. Accreditation means that the number of hours is recognised to contribute to the 450 hours of modality training required by the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the Equine Psychotherapy Institute website. Accreditation expires 27 October 2025.
Specialist training in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy
Specialist training in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Metavision Institute (Burradoo, NSW)
This advanced specialist training in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy is a two-year program comprising 12 modules. The program is delivered through a mix of three on campus intensives annually and an extensive self-paced home study program via eLearning and peer learning arrangements. The program emphasises experiential learning and upon graduation, students will display an advanced level of awareness of self-awareness, integrity, ethics, rigor and conscious development, and the ability to apply a holistic process-orientated approach to the human being in a diverse range of conditions.
Completion of this advanced specialist training is recognised as modality training for the purposes of psychotherapy college accreditation for PACFA registrants. This includes completion of assessment, client contact and supervision as outlined. Accreditation means that the number of hours is recognised to contribute to the 450 hours of modality training required by the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the Metavision Institute website. Accreditation expires 11 November 2025.
Specialist training in Buddhism and Psychotherapy
Professional training in Buddhism and Psychotherapy, The Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists (AABCAP) (Sydney)
This advanced specialist training in Buddhism and Psychotherapy is a two-year program comprising approximately 288 hours delivered over ten face-to-face weekend modules and three residential or online retreats of varying lengths. The program aims to provide a context in which people can explore their interest in integrating Buddhist philosophy, psychology and practice into their work as psychotherapists and counsellors. The training modules offer a balance of theoretical and experiential learning, incorporating lectures, discussion, experiential and group processes, case presentations, supervision, contemplation and meditation practices.
Completion of this advanced specialist training is recognised as modality training for the purposes of psychotherapy college accreditation for PACFA registrants. This includes completion of assessment, client contact and supervision as outlined. Accreditation means that the number of hours is recognised to contribute to the 450 hours of modality training required by the College of Psychotherapy.
For further information, please see the AABCAP website. Accreditation expires 21 January 2024.