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Advanced practice certificate in child mental health and trauma

Important update: Emerging Minds has received an overwhelming response to this training program, thank you to everyone who has registered!

We have now closed registrations, but warmly invite you to register your interest for the waitlist and to hear about facilitated training opportunities in infant and child mental health that we will offer in the future.

About the program 

Commencing July 2025 

The Advanced practice certificate in child mental health and trauma is a free, 28-week facilitated training package delivered online through five key modules.

The program includes:

  • five modules covering key topics related to children’s mental health
  • 28 learning sessions featuring written content, practitioner interviews and video demonstrations (approximately one hour per week)
  • 11 facilitated tutorials with flexible times and options (90 minutes each)
  • one online workshop (three hours).

  • Registration deadline
    Monday 30 June 2025

     

    Welcome week and introductory tutorial
    Wednesday 23 July 2025

     

    Course commencement
    Monday 28 July 2025

     

    Course breaks
    Break one: Monday 25 August to Friday 29 August 2025
    Break two: Monday 20 October to Friday 24 October 2025
    Break three (end of year): Monday 08 December 2025 to Friday 06 February 2026
    Break four: Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March 2026

     

    Course conclusion
    Friday 01 May 2026

  • Throughout this training package, you will hear from experienced practitioners as they reflect on their work and watch improvised video demonstrations featuring practitioners working with child and parent actors. Each week, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice, and to consider which skills, ideas and understandings you might use.

     

    The facilitated, supportive group learning environment provides an invaluable opportunity for you to connect with other participants and trainers, and to discuss case studies, learnings and dilemmas in real time.

  • The program includes over 120 key competencies for working with infants, children, parents and families to support child mental health.

     

    It will provide you with understandings about what child mental health is, why it is important, and the contexts that affect it.

    You will learn about practice and explore strategies to:

    • effectively engage with children using trauma-informed principles
    • work with parents when their adversities are negatively affecting their children
    • develop confidence in culturally safe and responsive engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families
    • work effectively with infants, toddlers and their families
    • work curiously, competently and confidently with culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families
    • respond to a range of specific presentations, including autistic children, ADHDer children, and children who have experienced trauma or bullying.

     

    For more information, please download Advanced practice certificate in child mental health and trauma: Competencies (121).

  • How is this program different to Emerging Minds’ other training resources or courses? 

    Emerging Minds offers a wide range of evidence-based resources developed in collaboration with practitioners, families and academics from across Australia. These include online courses, podcasts, videos, practice papers, guides and more, which are designed for independent consumption (and sharing). The Advanced practice certificate in child mental health and trauma program offers this content in a facilitated, supportive group learning environment. Participants are able to connect with each other and the trainers, and discuss case studies, learnings and dilemmas – all in real time.

     

    What type of support will I receive as I undertake the program?

    There are 11 tutorials included in the program and a three-hour online workshop to support your online learning. These offer opportunities to connect with skilled instructors and other online learners. Emerging Minds staff are also available via email for support throughout the course.

     

    How much does the program cost?

    This training is provided free as part of the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health (NWC). Led by Emerging Minds, the NWC is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.

     

    Please refer to this page for the full list of FAQs.

Course facilitators

  • Dr Dan Moss, Manager, Practice Development, Emerging Minds

    Dr Daniel Moss has managed content development for the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health for over seven years. He has led the development of online courses, papers, podcasts and webinars that have been accessed by thousands of practitioners throughout Australia. Dan has been privileged to work with practitioners, families and organisations across the country to develop therapeutic strategies to support the mental health of children and their families. Dan has worked to develop practice for children and parents for over 25 years. His PhD focused on practice interventions which supported families affected by gendered violence.

  • Chris Dolman, Senior Practice Development Officer, Emerging Minds

    Chris Dolman is a social worker who has been working for the past 20 years with individuals, couples and families facing a broad range of concerns in their lives and relationships. Chris currently works with Emerging Minds and the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, as well as with Country Health SA as a narrative therapist, providing telehealth consultations to people living in rural and remote South Australia. Previously, Chris has worked as a counsellor, supervisor and manager in a family and relationships counselling service with a particular focus around responding to family violence and the effects of childhood sexual abuse. He holds a Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work and is a member of the Dulwich Centre Teaching Faculty.

  • Rosie Schellen, Senior Cultural Development Officer, Emerging Minds

    Rosie Schellen has lead the development of Emerging Minds’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practice content for seven years. Rosie’s work has been supported by her commitment to respectful working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, practitioners and academics developed over 25 years. As part of her work, Rosie established the National Consultancy Group, which has provided Emerging Minds with guidance and support in the development of culturally responsive practice content to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children and their families. 

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