Staff

Meet the team at Human Development Scotland (HDS) who work to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people in Scotland.

Course leaders

Lynne Conway, Course Lead

Course Lead for Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Email: [email protected]

Gillian Sloan Donachy, Course Lead

Course Lead for Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Email: [email protected]

Joanne Young, Course Lead

Course Lead for Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People

Email: [email protected]

Liz Cairns, Course Lead

Course Lead for Human Relations and Counselling and Foundations of Human Relations and Counselling

Email: [email protected]

Volunteers

We employ a combination of full/part-time staff and tutors/counsellors on a contractual basis. We also value the time and commitment from volunteers for trustee roles, as well as for administration and marketing support.

Our wonderful office-based volunteer team currently consists of: Lee Biggs, Andrea Lutri, Norman Rae, Tom Symington and Paul Tait

Latest

Latest Newsletter: New RGU-validated MSc in Human Relations and Counselling & more

In our latest newsletter, read about how we’ve added a new MSc in Human Relations and Counselling to our range of courses which has been validated by Robert Gordon University. Also in this edition, a reminder that HDS provides an employee assistance counselling service. HDS works with organisations, large and small, to offer counselling and psychotherapy as part of their Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
Hear from our teaching staff

Watch the videos and use our enquiry forms if you would like to ask any questions which our teaching staff will be delighted to answer.
What do our students say?

Watch the videos and read the comments from our students. Hundreds of professionals have been equipped by HDS and have used the experience in their work as teachers, social workers and in other ‘people-facing’ professions.
Funding

Information for prospective students on how to fund their professional training.

Counsellors

Meet our highly qualified counsellors who provide the counselling services at Human Development Scotland (HDS).
Tutors

Meet our highly qualified tutors who deliver the Human Development Scotland (HDS) training programme.
Board

Meet our Board of Trustees who voluntarily provide their expertise to support the effective governance of Human Development Scotland (HDS).

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 an 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.
Therapeutic work with children and young people

MSc Psychoanalytic Observation and Reflective Practice: Therapeutic Work With Children and Young People. This modular course offers an in-depth understanding of infants’, children’s and adolescents’ emotional and personality development, the significance of primary relationships and their relevance to working with these age groups and their families.
Award winners

HDS received the Volunteer Friendly Award in recognition of the volunteering opportunities we provide.
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.
Jobs

Human Development Scotland (HDS) employ a combination of full/part-time staff and tutors/counsellors on a contractual basis. We also value the time and commitment from volunteers for trustee roles, as well as for administration and marketing support.
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.
Training

Human Development Scotland (HDS) offers a range of professional and academic training courses, short courses and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. Courses currently on offer include the Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy; MSc Psychoanalytic Observation and Reflective Practice: Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People; Diploma in Human Relations and Counselling.
Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. This is a practical and theoretical training course in psychoanalytical psychotherapy with children and young people.
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

Becky Smith, Director

Jigjit Kaur Tait, Operations Manager

Lynne Learmonth, Academic Courses Administrator

Lawrence Sum, Marketing & Communications Officer

Course leaders

Lynne Conway, Course Lead

Gillian Sloan Donachy, Course Lead

Joanne Young, Course Lead

Liz Cairns, Course Lead

Volunteers