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M1 – Masters in Systemic Family Psychotherapy

This is a four-year part-time training (with exit point at Post Graduate Diploma at 2 years) designed for professionals who have completed a post-graduate diploma level training in Systemic Family Psychotherapy. This level of training enables professionals from the humanities, social sciences and related disciplines to build on their existing skills and knowledge and to become competent in the clinical application of evidence based systemic family psychotherapy. The program draws from a variety of theoretical frameworks and clinical approaches, enabling graduates to meet the demands of working within agencies with a range of client groups in both child and adult focused settings.

This is a qualifying level training which prepares individuals to practice Systemic Family Psychotherapy and meets the requirements for registration as a WARRANTED psychotherapist with the local Psychotherapy Profession Board. This course is accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority at level 7.


PGD1 - Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic Family Psychotherapy

A two-year training programme designed to help practitioners develop the fundamental skills in working with individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective. It is aimed at practitioners who already successfully work from within other clinical paradigms, or those who are qualified in another human science and want to move into clinical psychotherapy. A first degree in psychology, nursing, medicine, social work, or any other human science is a requirement.

Participants will be exposed to theoretical seminars and discussions, live clinical consultation sessions, paper, and research review and writing, and reflective practice. The aims remain to introduce participants to the field of systemic theory, practice, and research and to introduce participants to the most basic systemic practice skills which they can apply to their own work setting.

The training will provide participants basic theoretical grounding, an opportunity to relate theoretical ideas with their work, a range of practical skills, the possibility of taking a critical stance to personal ideas and account for their personal learning process over time, beliefs, an opportunity to take a critical stance to one’s values, a possibility to critique various concepts and perspectives with particular focus on the family life cycle, a familiarity with a wide range of key literature, a basic familiarity with aspects of research in family therapy, an appreciation of one’s personal family and cultural experiences, and a historical understanding of the development of systemic therapy.

The assessment of learning takes place via logbook documenting one’s learning, three essays, a research project/essay, case presentations, and one final presentation.

The Course is accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority and is in line with the European Family Therapy Association and with the International Family Therapy Association. Upon successful completion of the diploma trainees will be eligible for Masters level training either within the same institution or other European institutions (please see entry requirements below for full details of entry on Masters in Systemic Family Psychotherapy).


B1 - Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Therapies

This training program, the first of its kind in Europe, offers an in-depth exposure to different psychological and psychotherapeutic models at an undergraduate level. It provides an innovative approach and targets individuals who have a keen interest in learning specifically about, and plan for a career in psychotherapy. This course helps students solidify their knowledge and skills in psychotherapy at a graduate level, preparing them for eventual specialist training. The course provides a sound background to major concepts outlining psychotherapy including history of psychotherapy, theories of change, research in psychotherapy and ethical practice. The nature of the course is intended to facilitate entry to Masters level training in any of the psychotherapeutic modalities taught on the course including the Masters in Systemic Family Psychotherapy. It is considered standard practice in psychology and psychotherapy that a warrant is obtained only after the Masters level of training is achieved. This course is accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority at level 6.

Starting September 2021.

This Degree is divided into 5 Modules covering the major areas of the profession including historical and current theory, the different models in psychotherapy, research, clinical practice and personal and professional development.

Module 1: History of Psychotherapy and Psychological Theory: This module offers students the basic knowledge of the fundamental paradigms in psychotherapy and psychology serving as the basis for all subsequent learning and training.

Module 2: Models of Psychotherapy: This module helps students develop and maintain collaborative working alliances with a range of mental health professionals. It provides them with a wide spectrum of diverse theoretical positions and psychotherapeutic practices and equips them with the basic skills and competences necessary to work within a team of practice.

Module 3: Research Methods and Research Project: This model equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to critically evaluate relevant published research and to acquire the basic knowledge, skills and competences that enable students to design, conduct and report a piece of research under the supervision of a research supervisor.

Module 4: Clinical Application: This is a practical client-contact module that provides students with an opportunity to apply acquired skills and competences clinical, enhance their clinical knowledge of the common mental health disorders and their presentation, as well as become acquainted with the relevant evidence-based treatment interventions. This module offers student the opportunity to apply the learning into practice.

Module 5: Personal & Professional Development and Ethical Practice: This module develops the students’ understanding of the principles and practice of appropriate professional conduct in the service provision sector and offers them an opportunity to identify personal and professional skills and resources as well as to reflect on and articulate the skills developing during the placement.


A1 - Award in Clinical Supervision

A six week-end-blocks programme spread over 6 months designed for clinical practitioners:

- To develop a theoretical knowledge base about supervisory practice and process

- To develop and refine supervisory skills.

- To integrate theory and advanced supervisory skills into a working supervisory style needed to form and maintain supervisory relationships.

- To enable participants to critically analyse a range of supervisory models.

- To inform and enable participants to develop an advanced understanding of supervisory structures and processes

- To enable participants to develop a critical understanding of the different ways in which clinical supervision can be assessed and evaluated.

- To enable participants to work systematically and to effectively manage influencing factors such as organisational, ethical, professional and legal influences.

-To develop and enhance the professional identity of the supervisor.

-To become aware of and mindful to the wider context and its influence on the supervisory relationship and processes (e.g., the organisational culture and policies, the client population, etc.)

 - To develop ethical practice in supervision.

The Course is accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority and is in line with the European Psychotherapy Associations and International Psychotherapy Associations standards of supervision practice. It also meets the Supervision Training criteria of the local Psychotherapy Profession Board.


C1 - Certificate in Therapeutic Care with Children and Adolescents in Out-of-Home Settings

A one-year 30 ECTS training programme aimed at individuals with an ‘O’ level standard of education equivalent to Level 5 of the MQF, or equivalent* and who are interested in extending their knowledge, skills, and competencies in working with children and adolescents in therapeutic residential care. It is aimed at supporting carers who are already working in the field without formal training as well as newcomers to the area. This certificate will appeal to students interested in taking care-working as a profession. This part time certificate is also designed to appeal to individuals who would like to keep their current employment and pursue their studies simultaneously.

The Certificate in Therapeutic Care with Children and Adolescents in Out-of-Home Settings renders students favourable candidates for career improvements as well as give them an edge when seeking jobs in residential care. This certificate is an asset when seeking any type of work with children and youngsters due to the applicability of the knowledge base provided. This course does not lead to a professional warrant since care-working is not currently a regulated profession.  This course aims to be the first step to raise the level of care given to children and adolescents to a professional standard and become a regulated occupation.

This course aims to teach care working with children and adolescents through different modalities to appeal to students’ different ways of learning. Most of the course will be didactic in nature within an interactive lecturing environment and students participation will be heavily encouraged through eliciting discussions, role plays and exercises of an experiential nature.

The Course is accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority and is rated at Level 5.

Modules: The course runs on three modules:

Module 1 – Theoretical Ideas
This module aims at helping participants understand and assimilate the mindset and attitude behind residential care with a therapeutic slant. Whilst this does not equip carers to become therapists it will support them in making their frontline work actively healing and formative for the children and adolescents under their care. It also provides the basic conceptual framework this course is designed on.

Module 2 – Practical Application
This unit increases awareness of the main issues and dilemmas around child development. Students will learn about the wide range of factors that affect the individual pathway along which each child develops through early childhood and beyond. Emotional and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents from a developmental perspective shall also be presented, together with the complex dynamics of risk and protective factors in the development of psychopathology.

Module 3 – Personal and Professional Development
This study unit provides students with a basic understanding of systemic concepts to help them consider a shift in thinking style, i.e. moving from a focus on individuals to an ability to think about families, groups, work relationships and systems as interrelated and mutually influencing. Systemic ideas are especially useful in care settings where groups of children and adolescents together with their carers live together. Systemic thinking will help care givers understand the complexity of this reality.



M2 - Masters in Strategic Coaching

A two-year 90 ECTS Masters programme with exit points at Certificate, Diploma and Masters levels, run in collaboration between the Institute of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice Malta, The Coaching Clinic in Ireland and The Institute of Strategies, Research and Training, three major education and clinical institutions. This Masters program is aimed at individuals qualified at level 6 or equivalent* and who are interested in enhancing their career or making a career in coaching as a profession. This level of training enables professionals coming from different backgrounds including humanities, social sciences, education, legal, business, sports, management and other professional areas like youth empowerment, active ageing, addictions, and more to learn cutting edge competences, skills and knowledge to become competent Master Strategic Coaches. The program draws from the Strategic, Communication, Cybernetic and Systemic paradigms to enable successful graduates to meet the demands of a professional coaching career within organisations or in private practice, and to work with a range of client groups in various professional settings.

This is a qualifying level training which prepares individuals to practice Coaching and meets the requirements for registration as an accredited Coach with the European Mentoring & Coaching Council. This course has been designed to meet the EMCC competences framework. It is also accredited at level 7 on the European Qualifications Framework by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. The course offers students the opportunity to opt from three cumulative levels of qualification which include:

Post Graduate Certificate Level at 30 ECTS

Competences acquired at certificate level exit point:

  • Understanding of the practice of strategic coaching
  •  Acquire the core and fundamental skills of strategic coaching.
  •  Able to use strategic coaching conversations to support and encourage the development of skills/performance in coachees
  •  Use a coaching approach within their own field/role and clearly understand how their coaching role integrates with their vocational roles.
  •  Develop an understanding of the practice of coaching and be skilful in combining theory with practice of coaching
  •  Use coaching conversations to support and encourage development of skills/performance.


Post Graduate Diploma Level at 60 ECTS

Competences acquired during PG Dip level

  • Use coaching as part of their main job or start up as an external coach
  • Able to work with a small range of clients in different contexts and within own area of experience to improve performance, build confidence and stretch coachees’ capabilities
  • Ability to apply a limited range of models, tools and processes.
  • Ability to apply a coherent model based on one or more established ones.
  • Using reflective practice with supervision to identify the salient points in their client interactions.
  • Able to identify, implement and evaluate specific behavioural changes to their practice.


Masters Level at 90 ECTS

Further competencies acquired during Masters level:

  • Able to draw on a range of models and frameworks.
  • Capable to work with different clients, contexts, and organizations.
  • Capable to manage complex and challenging relationships, working with ambiguity and change.
  • Demonstrate professional qualities in coaching practice
  • Able to draw on a range of models and frameworks and connect with new ideas into developing their own approach.
  • Able to identify and role-model good practice.
  • Skillful in working fluidly at the moment, with varied and often complex client issues in demanding contexts.
  • Use reflective practice with supervision to identify the salient points in their client-coach interactions.
  •  Able to observe change and identify, implement and evaluate specific behavioral changes to their practice.


PGC1 - Post Graduate Certificate in Parental Alienation Studies

The First Academic* Post Graduate Award in Parental Alienation Studies
We are delighted to announce the first Post Graduate Certificate in Parental Alienation Studies designed and developed in collaboration between Brian O Sullivan (MSc), Dr. Padhraic Gibson, Ireland, Mr. Brendan Guildea (BL), Ireland, Dr. Charlie Azzopardi, the Institute of Family Therapy Malta and Dr. Claudette Portelli, Malta, the Institute for Strategies, Research and Training for delivery in Malta and Ireland this Coming October 2022.

This program is designed specifically for professionals and other key stakeholders across the social, legal, mental health, medical, nursing, social care, allied health, youth work, counselling, psychology, clergy, education and psychotherapy fields who find themselves working with families and young people experiencing the trauma of Parental Alienation.

This Post Graduated Certificate in Parental Alienation Studies is unprecedented in Europe and graduates of this program will be enabled and acquainted with detailed contemporary literature and evidence based best practices in assessment, case formalisation, legal report writing and clinical interventions with families optimising the outcomes for children and young people across their lifespan.

The course is structured around a 30 ECTS Post Graduate Certificate qualification and consists of 5 modules over one academic year. The modules include historical and contemporary theory of Parental Alienation, evidence based best practice, assessment, and intervention processes for mild, moderate, and severe parental alienation and report writing. Eventually, as the course is being developed into an eventual M.Sc. it will contain other significant modules prevention strategies, early detection and intervention, research modules and more.