Psychotherapy Written Case

This page is about how to prepare for and apply to the Psychotherapy Written Case. 

About the Psychotherapy Written Case

The Psychotherapy Written Case is a summative assessment of the RANZCP Fellowship Program. It should be successfully completed by 60 months FTE training and it is assessed at the standard expected at the end of Stage 3.

Structure and format 

This assessment involves providing supervised psychotherapy informed by psychodynamic principles. At least 40 sessions should be delivered across a 6–12 month period, with at least one session per week. 

Candidates must then submit an 8000–10,000-word case report detailing their assessment and subsequent psychological management of the person. The case report is the component that is assessed.  

Supervision and patient selection

The process of supervision must begin before therapy starts.  

Psychotherapy supervisors are accredited by the Branch Training Committee (BTC). Trainees should contact their BTC or Director of Training for assistance in locating a psychotherapy supervisor in their area. 

Psychotherapy supervisors must be involved in considering whether a patient is suitable for (at least) 40 sessions of psychotherapy. 

Patient consent form 

Application to conduct psychotherapy sessions via video-conference

Trainees must prospectively apply to their Director of Training (DOT) for approval to conduct a portion of the psychotherapy sessions (for the Psychotherapy Written Case) via videoconference and, in exceptional circumstances, teleconference.

Trainees on a break in training are reminded that applications to conduct therapy on a break in training must be considered by the Committee for Training. If supported, the trainee must submit this form alongside their Psychotherapy Written Case.

Psychotherapy written case video-conference application form [PDF; 121 KB]

Formative case discussions 

During the therapy process, trainees must participate in three formative psychotherapy case discussions with their psychotherapy supervisor to encourage reflection on treatment progress and to provide opportunities to receive qualitative feedback. 

Psychotherapy case discussions should occur during the early, middle and late phases of the psychotherapy and should focus on pivotal points or milestones in the therapy process or on treatment dilemmas and/or emerging issues. 

Case discussions are in addition to the regular supervision sessions trainees should have with their psychotherapy supervisor. 

For each case discussion, the psychotherapy supervisor will complete the Psychotherapy case discussion form with the trainee. Trainees must submit the three completed forms with their written case report. 

Psychotherapy Written Case discussion protocol [PDF; 41 KB]

Psychotherapy Written Case discussion form [PDF; 196 KB]

Past papers and study support

Resources to help you prepare for the psychotherapy written case

Submission

The Psychotherapy Written Case may be submitted on four occasions per year.

Refer to the exam timetable for dates and details. 

Psychotherapy Written Case submission form [PDF; 210 KB]

All submissions must be made by email to cases@ranzcp.org.

Results

Results are released on the dates specified in the exam timetable. When released, the results are available from the Results page.

Marking sheets

• Psychotherapy Written Case marking sheet [PDF; 111 KB] (This marking sheet is being phased out. Any cases already submitted will use this mark sheet, as well as any further resubmissions of that case).
• 2025 Psychotherapy Written Case marking sheet [PDF; 121 KB] (This marking sheet will be used for any new cases received for the May submission onwards).

Policies

For detailed requirements, please refer to the Psychotherapy Written Case under Examinations of the Fellowship Program regulations, policies and procedures 

Contact

assesshelp@ranzcp.org