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

Joint Course Lead for Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Email: [email protected]

Gillian Sloan Donachy, Course Lead

Joint 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, Foundations of Human Relations and Counselling and Counselling Children, Young People and Families

Email: [email protected]

Annie Baikie, National Infant Mental Health Coordinator

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: Norman Rae

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Latest

Free 6-week introductory course on Infant Mental Health

Are you or do you work for a Third Sector organisation that works with mothers, fathers and carers of infants and young children in order to promote Infant Mental Health and development? Our free 6-week introductory course on Infant Mental Health can help equip you and your staff.
HDS provides support to The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland

Aimed at community nurses or midwives working in primary care in an area with high levels of poverty, deprivation and multimorbidity, the programme helps them to learn more about coping with, and helping others cope with, the complex interpersonal relationships that are often part of their everyday nursing work.
Loneliness

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 will focus on loneliness, bringing it out from the shadows where it so often is hidden. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, loneliness was almost 3 times that of pre-pandemic levels. It can be said that one of the few consolations of the pandemic is that it reminded us of our need for each other. Mental Health Awareness week will be an opportunity to ask vital questions about how we will reduce loneliness as we continue to come out of the pandemic.
Open Day - May 2022

Join us for our in-person Open Day this May. It’s an opportunity for prospective students to find out more and speak to our teaching staff about our academic courses. Please note that pre-registration is required for this event.

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).

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. Final closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 31 May.
Human relations and counselling

The Human Relations and Counselling Programme consists of 3 parts to provide different levels of training and qualification. This includes a Dilpoma (PGDip) and Masters (MSc). The course is ideal for people who currently use elements of counselling in their day-to-day work and would like to take further steps towards enhancing their practice and deepening their professional capacity. Final closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 31 May.
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. This course is the only one in Scotland which is approved by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).
Counselling Children, Young People and Families

This post-qualifying Certificate is a part-time training programme designed to prepare practitioners to work with children, young adults (up to mid-20s) and their families and is taught from a psychodynamic perspective. Final closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 31 October.
Counsellors wanted for our therapeutic services

Are you a counselling professional or know of someone with the capacity to take on new clients? HDS has seen a growth in its counselling services and we are seeking to add to our team of counsellors.
Moodle

Students can access our Moodle site to gain access to your course material or the HDS members' area.
What makes the psychodynamic approach different?

At the heart of our work at Human Development Scotland (HDS) is psychodynamic theory. Here we explain what makes the psychodynamic approach different?
What is psychodynamic theory?

We exist to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing through professional training, CPD and the provision of counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland. At the heart of our work at Human Development Scotland (HDS) is psychodynamic theory.
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.
Foundations of Human relations and counselling

An introduction to psychodynamic ideas about what it means to be human, together with experiential training in communication and counselling skills incorporating psychodynamic principles. This course gives unparalleled insight into the complexities of human interactions and is a foundation for the use of advanced communications and counselling skills. Final closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 30 September.

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

Susan Gordon, Academic Administrative Assistant

Laura Thompson, Academic Administrative Assistant

Lawrence Sum, Marketing & Communications Officer

Course leaders

Lynne Conway, Course Lead

Gillian Sloan Donachy, Course Lead

Joanne Young, Course Lead

Liz Cairns, Course Lead

Annie Baikie, National Infant Mental Health Coordinator

Volunteers