ADVANCED SKILLS in FAMILY THERAPY and SYSTEMIC PRACTICE

This two-day advanced, experiential workshop is designed for practitioners with systemic family therapy training who want to deepen their systemic thinking, strengthen their ability to think flexibly, integrate therapeutic approaches, respond intentionally to complex clinical situations and get “unstuck” when needed.

Drawing on the Systemic Meta-Framework for Integrative Practice, participants will develop a practical roadmap for moving from systemic assessment and formulation to thoughtful, tailored intervention. The workshop explores how to draw purposefully from multiple systemic approaches and other therapeutic modalities while remaining grounded in the client’s context, unique situation, theory of change, readiness and goals.

A particular focus will be on clinical manoeuvrability—developing the capacity to recognise when therapy or interagency work is becoming stuck, shift perspectives, de-escalate in-session conflict, track relational patterns and expand the possibilities for change. Participants will explore strategies drawn from Systemic, Strategic, Structural, Bowen Family Systems, Experiential, Narrative, and Solution-focused approaches alongside Coordinated Management of Meaning, neuroscience and attachment-informed ideas including mentalisation and being PACEful.  Across the two days, learning will be applied through clinical examples, demonstrations, structured consultations, experiential activities and reflective practice. Participants will leave with an expanded clinical repertoire and greater confidence in knowing what to do, how to do it, and how to pivot and adapt when it isn’t working.

Presented by: Dr Leonie White is a Psychologist and Clinical Family Therapist with over 20 years experience working with children, adults, families, foster families, residential care providers, teachers and other therapists, in Health, Education, and Child Protection Services as well as in the Non-Government sector and Private Practice. Currently Leonie provides psychotherapy and counselling with a special interest in Mental Health, supporting young people and their families/carers with emotional, behavioural, social and family difficulties. Leonie also provides psychotherapy and counselling services for adults, couples and families. Leonie specialises in providing Clinical Supervision to other helping professionals. Leonie is the Co-Director of the Queensland Institute of Family Therapy, works in Private Practice (Supervision, Group Supervision, Training) and a member of Staff at the Queensland University of Technology. She is the author of the best selling Helping Families Thrive card set.

Audience: for mental health and educational professionals at all levels & any professional that applies attachment theory and behavioural/developmental/neuro-science to their practice.

Mental Health Professionals: All mental health professionals including, but not limited to Clinical Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Hospice and Palliative Care Workers, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Addiction Specialists, Marital & Family Therapists, Child Protection and Disability Workers, Guidance Officers, Speech and Language Therapists, Residential Care Workers and Foster Support Workers, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants, General Practitioners, and all other mental health professionals looking to enhance their therapeutic skills.  

Education Professionals: Professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 School Counsellors, School Paraprofessionals and all other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs.