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Psychotherapy Written Case

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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. It is assessed at the standard expected at the end of Stage 3.

Structure and format 

Therapy sessions

This assessment involves providing supervised psychotherapy informed by psychodynamic principles. The requirements are:

  • 40 sessions with one patient
  • at least one session a week
  • over a 6–12-month period.

Exemption from therapy component

If you have completed a psychotherapy experience that you believe is equivalent to the 40-sessions of therapy, you may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). If approved, you don't need to do the therapy component of the Psychotherapy Written Case again or have 3 formative case discussions. Refer to the PWC policy for details.

Psychotherapy via video or tele-conference

You must apply to your Director of Training (DOT) for approval to conduct a portion of the psychotherapy sessions via videoconference and, in exceptional circumstances, teleconference.

Formative case discussions 

In addition to your regular supervision sessions with your psychotherapy supervisor, you will take part in 3 formative psychotherapy case discussions.

These case discussion sessions:

  • focus on pivotal points or milestones in the therapy process
  • are an opportunity to discuss treatment dilemmas and / or emerging issues
  • generally take place during the early, middle and late phase of the therapy
  • are designed to encourage reflection on treatment progress
  • provide opportunities to receive qualitative feedback. 

For each formative case discussion, you and your psychotherapy supervisor will complete a Psychotherapy Written Case discussion form [PDF; 196 KB].

You must submit the three completed forms with your written case report. 

Case report

Following the 40 therapy sessions, you need to submit an 8000 -10000 word report detailing your assessment and subsequent psychological management of the person.

The case report is the component that is assessed.

If you're on a break in training

You may write up your case report and submit your Psychotherapy Written Case, but you must not do the therapy component of the assessment.

Finding a psychotherapy supervisor

You need to have a supervisor before you select a patient. Your supervisor can discuss potential referrals and assessments with you and help you with patient access and documentation. 

Speak to your hospital training coordinator about finding a suitable supervisor. 

Supervisors for the Psychotherapy Written Case need to: 

  • be a practitioner in the field of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • have had at least 2 years supervision in this type of therapy
  • have demonstrated further professional development in psychodynamic psychotherapy, either through self-guided CPD, or through a formal training program.

Contact your Branch Training Committee or your DOT if you are struggling to find a local psychotherapy supervisor.

Finding a suitable patient

To find a suitable patient, first speak to your supervisor for guidance. From there, speak to your hospital coordinator about finding a long psychotherapy case at your training post.

Patients can be seen through primary mental health teams, consultation-liaison, or CAMHS rotations.

It’s recommended you start looking for a suitable patient in your first year of training. If not, start looking in your first 6 months of your second year, when your psychotherapy supervisor can assist.

You must obtain consent from the patient and have the prescribed Patient Consent Form signed before therapy begins.

If the patient can't continue therapy

If your patient can’t complete the minimum 40 sessions of therapy required for the Psychotherapy Written Case, you can apply to the Committee for Training (CFT) to waive the 40-session requirement. 

If approved, you will need to include a copy of the letter from the CFT in your final case submission. 

Apply to the CFT via traininghelp@ranzcp.org 

Submission

There are 4 submissions rounds each year. Submit your Psychotherapy Written Case before the final submission date for your project to be considered for that round of assessment.

Submit your project via cases@ranzcp.org using the form below.

Extensions

You can apply for an extension if within the two-week period before the due date your ability to prepare for and/or complete the submission has been significantly affected by one of the following:

  • recent bereavement
  • sudden onset of an illness
  • crime
  • natural disaster
  • hardship or trauma.

Refer to PWC Examination Extensions Guidelines [PDF; 230KB] for how to apply for an extension.

Fee

A fee of $954 is due on submission of your project.

Pay for the Scholarly Project using the details in the submission form. Submissions will not be processed without payment.

Past papers and study support

There are no past papers available, but the college has put together a set of resources to help you prepare for the psychotherapy written case.

Marking sheets

Marking sheets are provided for your reference only.

Results

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

Contact

assesshelp@ranzcp.org 

Psychotherapy Written Case policy and procedure

This document sets out the requirements of the Psychotherapy Written Case in detail.

PWC policy and procedure [PDF 1.3 KB]

Last updated 03 June 2025