Target groups are professionals working with clients, families, individuals or groups in family counselling, child welfare, social work, mental healthcare, drug abuse treatment- and prevention, et cetera.

Who is the programme for?

The specialization programme builds upon bachelor’s degree level programmes within health-, social science and pedagogy and elaborates on their theoretical and practical aspects. The programme is closely linked to the students’ practice.

Interdisciplinary profile

The profile of the Specialization Programme is interdisciplinary. Consequently, the programme represents an opportunity to establish a broad professional environment with experts from various disciplines, such as psychiatry, family counselling, child welfare, social work and drug abuse treatment- and prevention in addition to the traditional family therapy professionals. The programme provides the opportunity to create a broad and diverse environment where experts can stimulate and complement each other.

Clinical competencies

This is a theoretical/clinical education. The clinical perspective will play a major role both in the theoretical teaching and in the practical training requirements during the programme. Through the requirements of clinical counselling (120 hours) and documentation of clinical practice (100 hours), we ensure that the programme enhances the students’ clinical competencies.

Learning outcomes

The students:

• Have thorough knowledge of the discipline and expertise in their elected subject of specialization.
• Are able to apply their knowledge in new areas within the discipline.
• Are able to analyze academic issues based on the discipline’s history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society.
• Are able to analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations within the discipline and work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving.
• Have information literacy and can analyze and be critical towards various sources of information and apply these to structure and articulate academic reasoning.
• Are able to analyze relevant academic-, professional- and research ethical issues.
• Are able to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas and perform special tasks and projects.
• Are able to explain comprehensive, independent work and master the discipline’s terminology.
• Are able to communicate on professional issues, analysis and conclusions within the discipline to both experts and the public.
• Are able to contribute to new thinking and innovation processes.

Academic Environment

The following teachers are affiliated with the programme: Randi Bagge, Anne Grasaasen, Tone Grøver, Per Jensen, Hans Christian Michaelsen, Siv Merete Myra, Anne Hedvig Vedeler and Anne Øfsti.

Part-time teachers: Adjunct Professor Jim Sheehan, Adjunct Professor Arlene Vetere, Kristin H. Dahl, Halvor de Flon, Lennart Lorås and May Synnøve Rygh.

In addition, there are teachers engaged on a temporary basis.

Why choose Family Therapy?

• Highly qualified and committed teachers
• Long and broad experience with the programme
• Excellent and interdisciplinary student environment
• Centrally located
• Robust specialized university

Practical training

The student’s practical training must take place in a professional enterprise where the student can plan and lead the work over time from a systemic perspective, meaning work built on theory and methodology taught in the programme. The practical training should normally involve the following three parts:

• The student as a counsellor, helper, consultant or someone exercising authority.
• The client, meaning someone defined to possess the problems or conflicts.
• Partners – other professionals, other public servants et cetera.

Career opportunities

A specialization in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice qualifies for family therapeutic work within the area of family counselling and other family therapeutic institutions and for professional family counselling in the child welfare sector, social services, practical-pedagogical services, mental health care, et cetera.

At two campuses studiesteder

Specialization in family therapy and systemic practice is offered at two VID campuses, Diakonhjemmet at VID Oslo and at VID Sandnes. Both follow the same programme description and lectures.

Supervisors in family therapy

Are you a student and in need of a supervisor i family therapy? Or maybe you want to become a supervisor? See our list of family therapy supervisors.