Single session family therapy for beginners: what difference does it make to psychiatry registrars to participate in family sessions in front of and behind the screen?

Objective Current competencies required for fellowship of the RANZCP require psychiatry registrars to have experience in working with clients across all age groups, as well as working with families and the client’s wider network, however gaining this experience is not always easy for trainees. This paper reports on the experience of participating in Single Session Family Therapy (SSFT) during registrar training as a different modality for learning. Method: An online survey was conducted with fourteen registrars who had participated in SSFT during their child and adolescent rotation. Qualitative and simple quantitative data were collected and analysed. Results: Participating in SSFT during training was initially daunting, but had a positive effect on trainees, including influencing some towards focussing their future sub-specialisation in the child and youth area. Experience came through learning by doing, and seeing change. Registrars learnt about: understanding the role of the family; teamwork; technical skills; and gained confidence. Conclusions: Opportunities for trainees to participate in SSFT enables powerful learning beyond what can be taught in the classroom. Such opportunities may enhance registrars’ perceptions of family work, and may positively influence decision about future sub-specialisation.