Mental Health Training

The Developmental Psychiatry Course (DPC) is a one-year foundational course for professionals who aim to develop their knowledge and skills in infant, child, youth and family development and builds competency in assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment planning.  

While not being a university award program (i.e. completion of the course does not lead to the award of a formal university degree or diploma), the course 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.   

The DPC is offered in two forms:

DPC Theory: Provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment planning tailored to the mental health needs of young individuals and their families or caregivers. It is designed to support participants to transition from theoretical understanding to practical skill development. The DPC Theory curriculum includes self-directed study via The University of Melbourne’s Learning Management System (LMS), collaborative small group tutorials to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, and lectures by leading specialists in the fields of infant, child, adolescent, and family mental health and wellbeing. 

DPC Theory + Clinical: Integrates DPC Theory (as described above) with a 10-week clinical component. This combination is structured to enable participants to apply and refine the competencies acquired during DPC Theory within their respective clinical settings. DPC Clinical requires participants to observe and undertake clinical assessments within their organisation, as well as engage in structured small group supervision sessions aimed at guiding and supporting the development of these skills.  

Clinicians working in Victorian Infant, Child, Youth & Family Mental Health & Wellbeing Services (ICYMHS) who apply for a Department of Health scholarship (fully funded place) must complete DPC Theory + Clinical. 

Course Structure & Objectives 

DPC Theory:

The focus of DPC Theory is on acquiring knowledge in areas such as development throughout the infant to young adulthood life cycle, mental health concerns, neurodiversity, and the relationships, cultures, and contexts that influence them; and then transfer this understanding into clinical skills. The course is created and presented in collaboration with local and international experts. 

DPC Theory is delivered across two semesters:  

• Semester 1 – Wednesday February 5th to Wednesday July 2nd 2025. 

• Semester 2 – Wednesday July 23rd to Wednesday December 10th 2025 

Semester 1  

Offers an intensive 20-weeks of Core Modules divided into six Learning Blocks. Click on the learning block titles below for further information about the Core Modules and Intended learning outcomes for that block. 

Block No.	Learning Block Title
1	Development from the Prenatal Period to Early Adulthood  (Click here for more details)
2	Risk & Suicidality across the Lifespan  (Click here for more details)
3	Working with Diversity  (Click here for more details)
4	Trauma  (Click here for more details)
5	High Prevalence Presentations across the lifespan  (Click here for more details)
6	Common Presentations in adolescent/adult Mental Health Services   (Click here for more details)

In accordance with established principles of adult education, the Core Modules are designed to cater to a variety of learning styles. DPC Theory participants are offered a combination of self-directed learning and tasks including readings, visual aids, interactive quizzes and activities, and multi-media content, complimented by small group tutorial sessions provided over Zoom. It is advised that participants set aside up to four (4) hours weekly to engage with the DPC Theory content and complete the tasks on the LMS, as well as to fulfill the DPC Theory assessment requirements. Additional time will be required for those participants undertaking DPC Clinical. 

The small group tutorials are held every Wednesday afternoon during Victorian school terms between 2.30 and 3.30pm. Attendance is required at tutorials. On some occasions, participants will be required to attend online presentations from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, prior to the regular online tutorial. The dates for these presentations, along with the outline for the Core Modules are specified in the DPC handbook and online.  

Semester 2  

Comprises a variety of Elective Seminars focusing on assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment planning around a particular area of infant, child, and/or adolescent mental health including topics such as ADHD, attachment and parenting, school refusal, and family violence. Presentations will be run by experts in the topic offered. Participants are to choose at least three (3) out of nine (9) Elective Seminars to attend across the semester. 

Elective Seminars will be run on a Wednesday afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm as per the DPC Theory Semester 2 timetable. All seminars will be run online. Participants will receive Zoom links for the seminars they are enrolled in.  

Semester 2 also incorporates ASD Fundamentals training run by Mindful’s ASD team as core training (2 full days: 13th & 14th August 2025). This training is to be attended by all DPC participants except where a participant has previously completed it. 

While subject to change, an example of the 2025 draft DPC Theory timetable can be found  here.  

Assessment tasks  

Alongside completion of weekly Core Module quizzes and activities, there are four (4) main assessments for DPC Theory. These assessments are directly related to what is learnt throughout DPC Theory and their aim is to consolidate this learning and assist in building skills for clinically relevant activities. 

 DPC Clinical

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 Childrens’ Health and Wellbeing Locals) are invited to contact Mindful to discuss how their teams may facilitate DPC Clinical.  

The DPC Clinical course is designed to enable participants to apply the knowledge learnt in DPC Theory to their own clinical practice and to enhance reflective practice skills.   

Within their own workplace, participants will observe and complete clinical assessments and receive feedback on direct observations of their skills.  Participants will also participate in online Clinical Case Conferences with other DPC Clinical participants that are facilitated by an experienced senior Infant, Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing clinician.   

By the end of the course, participants will have observed one full assessment, completed at least one assessment under observation, and had the opportunity to complete one more full assessment, either independently or with support. They will also have presented two cases in case conference, engaged in peer supervision, and completed two full assessment reports.    

Case conferences are typically scheduled on Wednesday mornings for 1.5 hours. Each group is run over a 10-week block. Participants can express their preferred time slots for attending a case conference block, but accommodating all preferences may not always be possible.   

Prerequisites & Selection Criteria for Acceptance into the DPC 

Prerequisites 

Participation in the DPC requires satisfactory completion of DPC Foundations. DPC Foundations is a four- to six-hour preparatory course replacing the Mindful Introductory Course (MIC) as an introduction to the DPC.  

DPC Foundations will cover the fundamental knowledge that is required for and extended on throughout the DPC, including information on areas such as: 

• The four-part assessment, 5P case formulation, and the biopsychosocial model. 

• Understanding intersectionality when working with young people and their families. 

• Use of micro-skills when engaging and assessing young people and their families. 

Access to DPC Foundations will be available on the LMS on enrolment in DPC Theory or DPC Theory+Clinical from mid-January 2025. 

Selection Criteria for Acceptance into the DPC 

Participants must:  

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

• 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 must 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.    

Availability of any service to participate in DPC may change from year to year.   

Requirements for completion of the DPC 

DPC Theory 

• Completion of all 20 Core Modules and their associated quizzes, activities, and tasks during Semester 1. 

• Attendance of at least 80% of online tutorials (16 out of 20) across Semester 1. 

• Meaningful participation and contribution to group discussions during online tutorials. 

• Attendance of at least three (3) Elective Seminars across Semester 2.  

• Satisfactory completion of the DPC Foundations. 

• Satisfactory completion of the four (4) DPC Theory assessment tasks. 

DPC Clinical

• Attendance of 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.    

• Observation of least one clinical assessment conducted by a DPC Clinical Educator or senior clinician from the participant’s service. 

• Completion of two clinical assessments, with at least one occurring under observation/supervision of an experienced clinician.   

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

• Satisfactory presentation of two cases at Clinical Case Conference.   

• Meaningful contribution to group discussions in Clinical Case Conference.  

Applications and Cost

How to apply 

• For other professional applicants doing DPC Theory only,  the application for 2025 was closed on Monday, 2 December. If you want to apply for the late registration, please email us to seek approval. (Email: [email protected])
• Staff eligible for DH scholarships (fully-funded places) will need to be identified by their ICYMHS managers and your service will nominate you to Mindful.  

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. 

The following ICYMHS have a DPC Clinical Educator available: 

ICYMHS	DPC Clinical Educator
Royal Children’s Hospital	Gemma Urbini
Monash Health	Jaycy Jacob
Barwon Health	Anna Kennedy
Austin health	Liz Morkham
Eastern Health	Jennifer Nijs
Latrobe Health Services	Amy Allen
Grampians Health	Victoria Hingston
South West Healthcare	Sonya Nagorcka
Peninsula Health	Rhianna Epstein
Goulburn Valley Health	Catherine Kelly
Orygen Youth Mental Health	Jacqueline Lester

 

Cost for the DPC 

2025 costs are listed below; costs generally increase a small amount each year. 

2025 DPC Theory+Clinical ICYMHS scholarship staff: $0 (see above)

2025 DPC Theory+Clinical (Victoria) :  $2,490 *

2024 DPC Theory (Victoria):            $2,100 (Incl GST)

2024 DPC Theory (Non Victoria):    $2,450 (Incl GST)

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

DPC Theory+Clinical payment Schedule for 2025 for Interstate participants is negotiated with each interstate service.  Please contact [email protected] 

Withdrawal fees 

Participants who choose to fully withdraw from the DPC, will be required to re-enrol and pay all associated course fees should they decide to continue with the DPC at a later date. Credit for work completed will be considered on a case-by-case basis.   

A full refund of fees paid, will be granted in the event of the following:   

• Mindful cancels the course;  

• An error is made at the time of enrolment e.g. if a student enrolled, but has previously completed  

• Withdrawal before DPC commencement on Tuesday,4th February 2025 

Withdrawal after course commencement will attract course fees.  Under normal circumstances refunds are not given for partial completion of the course, however a partial refund may be considered.  Fees associated with course withdrawal are detailed in the DPC Theory and DPC Clinical Handbooks.    

Participants who accept a DH Scholarship to complete the course, must complete both DPC Theory + Clinical to be eligible for the scholarship.  Should a DH Scholarship participant choose to withdraw from the course, they will be personally responsible for any course fees accrued. 

Fees Associated with Withdrawal from DPC Theory 

The table below specifies the partial refund of fees within specified timeframes for participants completing DPC Theory. 

Date of withdrawal	Fees payable
Withdrawal after course commencement but before Wednesday 26th February 2025 (Week 4 of Term 1)	$550 (Incl. GST) (deposit fee) + $55 (Incl. GST)(admin fee): total = $605 (Incl. GST)
Withdrawal between 27th February and 1st August 2025	Semester 1 fee + $55 (Incl. GST) (admin fee)
Withdrawal from DPC Theory after Friday 1st August 2025	Full DPC Theory Fees

The table below specifies the partial refund of fees within specified timeframes for participants completing DPC Theory + Clinical. 

Date of withdrawal	Fees payable
Withdrawal after course commencement but before Wednesday 26th February 2025 (Week 4 of Term 1)	$550 (deposit fee) + $55 (admin fee): total = $605
Withdrawal between 27th February and 2nd  July 2025 (End of Semester 1)	Semester 1 fee + $55 (admin fee)
Withdrawal from DPC Theory + Clinical between 3rd   July and 1st August 2025	Semester 1 fee + $55 (admin fee) + 20% of DPC Clinical Fee
Continue DPC Theory and Withdrawal from DPC Clinical between 3rd July and 1st August 2025	Full DPC Theory Fee + 20% of DPC Clinical Fee + $55(admin fee)
Withdrawal from either DPC Theory or DPC Clinical after Friday 1st August 2025	Full DPC Clinical + Theory Fees

For further information about the DPC, contact Mindful: [email protected] 

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