Further studies in psychological medicine
Our postgraduate programmes are designed for health professionals working in mental health settings.
Neuropsychology
From 2024, the University of Otago will offer a new qualification designed to equip practicing psychologists with the competencies to work as a neuropsychologist.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Neuropsychology (PGDipNeuropsych) will be the first neuropsychology training programme of its type in New Zealand. It will combine international best-practice with the unique knowledge and needs of the people of Aotearoa.
The training is led by the Director of Neuropsychology training, Dr Paul Skirrow.
More about the Postgraduate Diploma in Neuropsychology
Hear Dr Paul Skirrow and other practitioners talk about Neuropsychology in the video below
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Our postgraduate programmes are designed for health professionals working in mental health settings. Develop skills which enable you to use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in your workplace and extend your understanding of those with common mental health disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and psychotic disorders.
More about the postgraduate qualifications on offer in CBT
Hear from our students in the video below
EMDR Therapy
We are proud to be offering Aotearoa New Zealand's first University-based postgraduate training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), an evidence-based psychological therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
More about the postgraduate qualifications on offer in EMDR Therapy
Hear Dr Tom Flewett and other practitioners talk about EMDR in the video below
Other mental health papers
- REHB 714 Personal and Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation – this paper is part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation
Postgraduate Training Programme in Psychiatry (FRANZCP)
The Department provides the academic component of the Wellington Regional Postgraduate Psychiatric Training Programme. There are between 25 to 30 registrars at clinical attachments in Wellington (Capital and Coast DHB), Hutt Valley (Hutt DHB), Palmerston North (Mid Central Health), New Plymouth (Taranaki DHB) and Whanganui (Whanganui DHB).
The formal taught course provided by the Department takes place on Thursday afternoons, and we are proud of our long tradition of supporting registrars' training needs by ensuring their regular release from service to attend this.
The Department also provides academic support for registrars in the advanced phase of training.
We are very fortunate to have many highly skilled Consultant Psychiatrists who are committed to contributing to the academic programme, clinical supervision and mentoring of our trainees.
By balancing the pressure on trainees to pass external exams with the need to produce highly skilled reflective practitioners, we strive to provide one of the best Postgraduate Psychiatry programmes in New Zealand.
Further information
For further information about the Regional Training Programme please contact:
Dr Greg Spencer
Regional Director of Training
Ngā Wāhi Akōnga
Porirua Hospital
Tel +64 4 918 2713
Email greg.spencer@ccdhb.org.nz
Details about psychological medicine in the medical degree
Much of our teaching about psychological medicine is covered in the latter part of the medical degree.
4th Year teaching
An introduction to Psychological Medicine is included in the Clinical Skills Programme.
5th Year teaching
While much of the teaching in the Department of Psychological Medicine is done during the fifth year, we also have input into other parts of the teaching programme. It is important to consider psychological and mental health issues in all of your clinical work.
Because many people with mental illness also have physical health problems, you will be expected to consider these in your understanding of the patients you meet and hear about during this year.
6th Year teaching
Trainee Interns spend 4 weeks with the Department. During this time they undertake clinical responsibilities in a variety of inpatient and community teams in Wellington, Porirua, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay and Masterton. These include the opportunity for working in specialty settings e.g. Māori Mental Health, Forensics, Infant Child and Family, and Psychiatry of the Elderly.
These placements provide an informal tutorial programme, which is complemented by seminars held weekly in the Department. Those interns based in Palmerston North and Hawkes Bay will attend the seminars by videoconference.