University of Sydney
Graduate Diploma in Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Gain advanced training in trauma-informed psychotherapy to support clients with trauma-related mental health conditions, designed for clinicians with mental health experience.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy) teaches an approach to help people with personality or anxiety disorders, dysthymia, post-traumatic disorders, chronic depression, somatisation and other conditions in which trauma is a contributing factor.
This course is suitable for clinicians with mental health experience, such as social workers, psychologists, nurses, psychotherapists, counsellors and school counsellors and may be of interest to others such as speech pathologists and dentists.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 36 credit points, including:
- 6 credit points of compulsory units of study
- 24 credit points of stream-specific units of study
- 6 credit points of stream-specific or general elective units of study
Compulsory unit
- Psychotherapy Research Methods
- Psychodynamic Principles and Frameworks
- Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Practice A (3 credit points)
- Practising Psychodynamic Psychotherapy B (3 credit points)
- Growth, Trauma and Adaptation
Entry requirements
Admission to the course requires:
- Successful completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine or a bachelor's or postgraduate degree in a health-related discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.
- Minimum of 12 months' experience in a clinical area related to mental health.
- Current professional indemnity insurance to practise psychotherapy in Australia.
- Satisfactory performance at an interview as required.
English language requirements
If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the English language requirements if you have citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum ten years) and completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the University in an approved English-speaking country.
If English is not your first language, you can prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test within two years of commencing the course.
Required scores:
- IELTS score: A minimum score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.5 in each band.
- TOEFL - IBT score: A minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 22 in Writing.
- Pearson's Test of English: A minimum result of 72 overall and a minimum result of 64 in each band.
Contact the university or visit its website for more details.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates of this course are trained to deal effectively with people who suffer from:
- Personality disorders
- Complex traumatic and dissociative disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Dysthymia
- Chronic depression
- Somatisation
- Other conditions in which chronic complex trauma is a contributing factor
The therapeutic approach is based on the Conversational Model, but also incorporates concepts from other schools and theories, including self-psychology, intersubjectivity, development, attachment, trauma and memory systems and neuroscience.
Graduates and affiliates have become leaders and change champions in this area.
Fees and CSP
Total indicative amount in 2026: Fee information is not yet available (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Total indicative amount in 2026: $26,250 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative amounts to complete this course in 2026 are calculated based on the total credit points (36 credit points).
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students.
