Systemic Practice & Family Therapy Training Program next intake October 2026

This Systemic Practice & Family Therapy Training Program has been running successfully for 6 years and has been attended by Clinicians all over New Zealand. The previous intakes have invariably been oversubscribed and applications for the October 2026 intake are now being considered. This is an exciting opportunity for Clinicians to attend a 10 week training program to develop, consolidate and extend their practice in working with couples and families.

Background to the program:

Systemic practice is supported by a strong evidence base across mental health, addiction, education, health, and social service settings, recognising that lasting change is often achieved by working with people in the context of their relationships, whānau, and wider systems. In Aotearoa New Zealand, engaging with whānau is widely recognised as integral to wellbeing and recovery.

This program contributes to Ministry of Health workforce development priorities by strengthening practitioners’ abilities to work effectively with whānau, understand relational dynamics, apply systemic approaches, and deliver culturally responsive practice with Māori whānau and diverse communities.

Who is suitable to attend:

Professionals who already have a relevant professional qualification (or equivalent) in the health and/or social care sectors: Social Workers, Nurses, Psychiatrists, General Practitioners, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counsellors and Occupational Therapists are well suited to apply. Students must also be in a role where they have access to working with Couples, Individuals and Families and to regular systemic supervision.

Program Requirements:

• Attendance at 10 x 7 hour training days – 70 Hours Content and learning outcomes outlined below
• Attendance at 6 x 1 hour Zoom Supervision Groups facilitated by the Trainer – 6 hours
• Zoom Groups are an opportunity to discuss practice issues, present cases, share resources, reflect on articles and discuss issues regarding the self of the therapist.
• Attendance at 6 x 1 hour peer directed learning sessions (depending on numbers, smaller groups will be created) – 6 hours
• Students can agree the times and dates for these sessions and how this time is used in line with their learning and development needs associated with the program.
• Completion of weekly learning journal (Format to be provided)
• Systemic Supervision

Learning Outcomes:

This is a 10 week training program which involves Teaching, Case presentations, Reading materials and videos. Students will also participate in facilitated case discussions and peer directed learning sessions which will provide the opportunity to discuss practice issues and provide one another with support, feedback and sharing of ideas.

On completion of this program, students will have:

• Familiarity with a range of systemic models within a historical context and their application to practice
• The ability to recognise and apply basic systemic practice skills to engage with families across a range of referred presentations
• An awareness of the need to be self-reflexive in their learning and clinical practice
• An ability to consider their own family, cultural and professional experiences from a systemic perspective and give an account of their personal learning journey
• Familiarity with a range of Family Therapy literature and Research
• A developing ability to critique therapeutic ideas
• An ability to understand the concept of ‘the family life cycle’ and apply their thinking to different family forms
• An awareness of the impact of the wider social context, especially in relation to race, class, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability, and a commitment to anti-Oppressive Practice, and valuing diversity
• Increased confidence and competence in practicing systemically and engaging meaningfully with families
• Awareness of the importance of Ethics for both individuals and organisations

When: October 2026 – December 2026 

Where: Online

Cost: $2,495 + GST 

Contact: [email protected] with any questions or to request an application form.