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]

Selina Perocevic, 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]

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.

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Latest

Study with HDS in 2024

HDS offers a range of professional and academic training courses. Our training is popular with people working in ‘people-facing’ professions. For example: health and social care services, teachers, third sector and private practice counselling. Find out more about how you can develop your career with HDS.
Looking after your mental health this winter

For many people, Christmas and the prospect of dark, cold and lonely winter days in January can affect our mental health. Read about tips for looking after your mental health this winter and how speaking to a counsellor can help.
HDS Alumni gathering March 2024

The next gathering of the HDS Alumni will take place online (via Zoom) on Thursday 21 March from 19:30 to 21:00. This will be an opportunity to network with fellow Alumni and hear from one another in our different roles and application of what we have learnt and experienced studying with HDS.
Open Days

Thinking about studying with HDS? Our Open Days help you to find out more about our courses and gives you the opportunity to ask your questions to our course staff.

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.
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.
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.
Staff

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

Students can access our Moodle site to gain access to your course material or the HDS members' area.

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

Ana Puljic, Clinical Coordinator

Susan Gordon, Academic Administrator

Laura Thompson, Academic Administrator

Lawrence Sum, Marketing & Communications Officer

Course leaders

Lynne Conway, Course Lead

Gillian Sloan Donachy, Course Lead

Selina Perocevic, Course Lead

Liz Cairns, Course Lead

Volunteers