Our history

Human Development Scotland (HDS) was registered as a Scottish charity in December 2012.

HDS was formed to carry on the work of the Scottish Institute of Human Relations (SIHR), established by Dr John (Jock) Sutherland and others in 1971 with the aim of expanding the application of psychodynamic thought in Scotland.

We offer the training and services previously delivered by the SIHR. These have at their heart the psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and systemic ideas that offer a profound understanding of how people relate to one another.

Our training courses for professionals working particularly in the NHS, social services, education and voluntary sector translate these ideas into practical tools for understanding the central role that human relationships play in our mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Our Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (CAP) programme, for example, is a practical and theoretical training course in psychoanalytical psychotherapy with children and young people. This course is the only one in Scotland which is approved by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).

HDS also aims to reduce mental distress by delivering psychodynamic counselling and psychoanalytic psychotherapy to the public. Our counselling services are available to individuals and also as an employee assistance programme (EAP) for organisations.

Our service is predominantly for adults. However, we offer a limited, specialist psychotherapy service for children and young people.

You may also be interested in:

What is psychodynamic theory? Why we exist Professional training

Latest

ISE - Towards a Healthier Organisation

Book now for our next ISE (Intensive Study Event) on Wednesday 10 February. Drawing from Philip Stokoe’s new book, “The Curiosity Drive”, Susan Maciver will outline some characteristics of an organisation that is functioning well and discuss what so often gets in the way of organisational health. The subtitle of the book is, “Our Need for Inquisitive Thinking” – never more necessary than at this time of global crisis.
Embodied 'presence': working and living online

HDS Board Member, Mary MacCallum Sullivan, provides a review of an article by Dan Nixon. In ‘The body as mediator’, he foregrounds the embodied experience of the dis-embodiment we all currently share, as we sit glued to our screens because of C-19.
Facing a winter during a pandemic

It is expected that the recent lockdown measures in-place will take a heavier toll on people’s mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has outlined ten risks and ideas for protecting and supporting mental health this winter.
Discussing and addressing mental health in the workplace

In the second part of their, “There For Each Other” campaign, The Scotsman published an article about what support is available to Scottish employees and employers – and how can it help? HDS provides an Employee Assistance Counselling Service and we were invited to contribute to the article.

ISE - Towards a Healthier Organisation

Book now for our next ISE (Intensive Study Event) on Wednesday 10 February. Drawing from Philip Stokoe’s new book, “The Curiosity Drive”, Susan Maciver will outline some characteristics of an organisation that is functioning well and discuss what so often gets in the way of organisational health. The subtitle of the book is, “Our Need for Inquisitive Thinking” – never more necessary than at this time of global crisis.
Facing a winter during a pandemic

It is expected that the recent lockdown measures in-place will take a heavier toll on people’s mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has outlined ten risks and ideas for protecting and supporting mental health this winter.
Masters in Human Relations and Counselling

Masters in Human Relations and Counselling. This three-year part-time training will lead to the award of MSc and is an advanced professional training for Psychodynamic Counsellors. The MSc has been designed to provide students with excellent clinical training, fully integrated with the knowledge, research and experience of the skills that will be necessary for those working in the modern NHS, the third sector and in private practice.
Award winners

HDS received the Volunteer Friendly Award in recognition of the volunteering opportunities we provide.
Accessibility
Looking after our mental health in uncertain times

Infectious disease outbreaks, like the current Coronavirus (COVID-19), can be scary and can affect our mental health. While it is important to stay informed, there are also many things we can do to support and manage our wellbeing during uncertain times. Here are some tips from members of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) which we hope will help you, your friends and your family to look after your mental health.
Human relations and counselling

Post Graduate Diploma in Human Relations and Counselling. This part-time modular programme provides the opportunity for professional training as a Psychodynamic Counsellor, and includes: theoretical study, skills practice supervised clinical practice in a placement, development of a critical awareness of underlying relational dynamics, development of the capacity to work sensitively and constructively with issues of diversity and equalities.
Donate

Your donation will help relieve mental and emotional distress by increasing the availability of, and access to, high quality psychodynamic and psychoanalytic counselling and psychotherapy for all who need them.
Open Days

Thinking about studying with HDS? We normally have two sets of Open Days (Spring and Autumn) each year to help you find out more about our professional training courses. Sign-up for them here. Can’t wait for the next Open Days? Here are some resources that can help you in your research and decision on whether to apply for postgraduate training with HDS.
Enrol for our postgraduate training

We offer postgraduate training courses for professionals working particularly in the NHS, social services, education, private practice and voluntary sector.

Friends of HDS

Friends of HDS is our way of recognising groups of supporters who make a regular commitment to the work of HDS. Find out more about becoming a Friend of HDS. Read more

At a glance: courses, prospectus, fees & applications

At a glance look at the professional training on offer from HDS. Information and links to course information, including: entry requirements, fees, timings, applications and enquiries. Read more