Mental Health Training

About the course

The Developmental Psychiatry Course (DPC) is a one-year professional development course which operates as a foundation for professionals responding to the social, emotional, behavioural, and developmental problems of infants, children, youth, and families. It has been accepted for more than forty years as the benchmark for vocational training in fundamental skills for the infant, child, and youth mental health field.   

DPC is designed to improve participant’s understanding of how development across infancy to emerging adulthood informs the assessment, formulation, and diagnosis of common clinical problems. Participants develop their ability to conduct assessments and to write reports that integrate assessment findings into a collaborative formulation that guides development of a treatment plan with the young person and their family. 

Participants can complete DPC Theory as a standalone course, or they can complete DPC Theory + Clinical.  Completion of DPC Theory is a pre-requisite for DPC Clinical. 

DPC Theory

Learning outcomes 

Click here to view the learning outcomes 

Pre-learn: DPC Foundations:

DPC Foundations is a self-paced online package that provides the fundamental knowledge required for, and extended on, throughout the DPC, including information on areas such as: 

• Culture, intersectionality and complexity. 

• Clinical Assessment. 

• Diagnosis. 

• Major psychological theories

Duration 

DPC Foundations takes on average around 4-6 hours to complete. 

Participants gain access on enrolment are expected to complete DPC Foundations before DPC Theory commences.  Participants will continue to have access to the DPC Foundation course until the conclusion of DPC Theory in December 2027 

DPC Theory

DPC Theory is designed to move from knowledge acquisition to skill building. Participants access self-directed learning materials including readings, assignments, visual aids, interactive quizzes and activities, and multi-media content, which is complimented by small group tutorial sessions provided over Zoom.  The course provides a 20 Core Modules, 3x Elective ICYMH 2-hour Seminars, and the 2-day Autism Fundamentals workshop.   

Core Modules

The 20 Core Modules are divided into seven (7) Learning Blocks. Click on the learning block titles below for further information about the Core Modules and Intended learning outcomes for that block.  

1. Development from the Prenatal Period to Early Adulthood (Click here for more details) 

2. Case Formulation (Click here for more details) 

3. Risk & Suicidality across the Lifespan (Click here for more details) 

4. Working with Diversity (Click here for more details) 

5. Trauma (Click here for more details) 

6. High Prevalence Presentations across the lifespan (Click here for more details) 

7. Common Presentations in adolescent/adult Mental Health Services (Click here for more details) 

Completion Requirements  

• Satisfactory completion of DPC Foundations. 

• Completion of all Core Modules and their associated quizzes, activities, and tasks.  

• Attend at least 80% of the online tutorials. 

• Completion of LMS tasks for any tutorials missed.  

• Attend oat least three (3) ICYMHS 2-hour seminars.   

• Satisfactory completion of DPC Theory assessment tasks.  

Duration 

DPC Theory commences on 14 April 2027 and concludes on 1 December 2027.  Participants are encouraged to allocate approximately four (4) hours per week to engage with the DPC Theory content, complete tasks on the LMS, and meet the assessment requirements. This is a general estimate, and the actual time needed may vary depending on individual learning styles and preferences. Additional time will be required for those participants undertaking DPC Clinical.  

While subject to change, an example of the 2027 draft DPC Theory timetable can be found here.

DPC Clinical

DPC Clinical supports participants to integrate their DPC Theory learning into clinical practice with their own clients.   It involves observing and completing clinical assessments, case presentations, group supervision and report writing.   

Currently, DPC Clinical is only available in Victorian Infant, Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Services. If interested, interstate Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services or other mental health and wellbeing providers (including those working in Victorian Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals) are invited to contact Mindful to discuss how their teams may facilitate DPC Clinical.   

Learning outcomes 

Click here to view the learning outcomes 

Completion Requirements

• Attend at least 80% of the Clinical Case Conferences (8 out of 10 conference weeks).   

• Completion of alternative tasks for any Clinical Case Conferences missed.     

• Participation and collaboration in activities designed to promote self-reflection regarding learning and development goals.     

• Satisfactory completion and submission of two full clinical assessment reports.    

• Satisfactory presentation of two cases at Clinical Case Conference.    

Duration 

DPC Clinical requires participation in a 10-week block of weekly 1.5 hour online clinical case conferences.  In addition, participants will need to devote time during their work hours to observing a senior clinician complete a comprehensive assessment and to completing two comprehensive assessments as the lead clinician.  Time will also need to be devoted to preparing for case conference and completing 2x assignments.  

Who is this course for?  

The DPC is designed for early-career infant, child, youth and family mental health and wellbeing clinicians.  In order to be eligible for the course, participants must:   

• Have a relevant undergraduate qualification (relevance is determined by the DPC coordinators).    

• Have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).   

• Have written employer approval to be released from work to undertake DPC. A form will be supplied to participants who meet this requirement.  

• For those applying for DPC Clinical, be willing to participate in online clinical case presentations and discussions with peers from different services.    

Registration

Applications for DPC Theory only and DPC Theory + Clinical are now open will close on the 28 February 2027. 

Click here to apply DPC Theory Only  

Cost 

2027 costs are listed below; costs generally increase a small amount each year.  

2027 DPC Theory (Victoria):    $2,310 (Incl GST) ** 

2027 DPC Theory (All other):    $2,703 (Incl GST) ** 

** DPC Theory (Victoria)1st Instalment fee: $660 (Incl GST),2nd Instalment fee: $1,210 (Incl GST) 3rd Instalment fee: $440 (Incl GST) 

** DPC Theory (All Other)1st Instalment fee: $660 (Incl GST),2nd Instalment fee: $1,603 (Incl GST) 3rd Instalment fee: $440 (Incl GST) 

Click here to pay the DPC Theory (Vicoria / Non- Victoria) deposit fee/full fee

If your service has a DPC Clinical Educator, it is recommended that you contact them to discuss your suitability for the DPC; they will support you in the application process if required.  

2027 DPC Theory+Clinical (Victoria):  $2,746 * 

DPC Theory+Clinical payment Schedule for 2027 for Interstate participants is negotiated with each interstate service.  Please contact [email protected]  

*DPC Theory+Clinical is a GST-exempt training program. DPC Theory incurs GST. 

Withdrawal fees  

For information on fees associated with withdrawal, click here 

Important Dates and Payment Requirements 

• 2027 DPC Theory Only application submission (1 Oct 2026 to 28 February 2027) 

• Pay the 1st Instalment fee or full fee upon approval to enrol in the DPC Foundations

• Pay the 2nd instalment fee by 10 March 2027

• DPC Theory online enrolment starts from 10 March 2027 

• DPC Theory live tutoring starts from Wednesday 14 April 2027 

• Pay the 3rd Instalment fee by 4 August 2027.

• DPC Clinical sessions from Oct to Dec 2027 (Dates TBC)

Click here to apply DPC Theory Only

To apply for DPC Theory+Clinical, please contact Mindful: [email protected] 

 

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