Training

Human Development Scotland (HDS) offers a range of professional and academic training courses, short courses and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.

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).

If you are looking to become a psychotherapist in Scotland, we provide psychotherapy courses in Scotland, including our psychotherapy Masters and Diploma.

Watch this short video introducing our professional training at HDS.

Find out more about CAP and our other training programmes available by clicking the links below.

Professional training Open days Short courses Tutors

Latest

An Introduction to Psychodynamic Thinking

We are delighted to offer a new and unique 10-week course introducing participants to Psychodynamic thinking. This course is designed for individuals who are new to psychodynamic and psychanalytical thinking who have little or no therapeutic training. It can also be undertaken by Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Psychologists trained in other modalities to support a level of understanding and insight.
New HDS Course Begins September 2026

A new HDS Professional Course, An Introduction to Psychodynamic Thinking, will be beginning in September 2026.
Thank you Lindsay

After over 6 years of dedicated service, Lindsay Shrubsole recently retired from her role of Chair of the Board of Trustees at HDS. New Chair of the Board of Trustees, Joe Lafferty and Director of HDS, Becky Smith thank Lindsay on behalf of everyone at HDS.
NHS Education for Scotland is offering five funded places for our course

NHS Education for Scotland is offering five funded places for our course: Psychoanalytic Observation & Reflective Practice: Therapeutic work with Children & Young People (TWCYP). Application deadline is 9am on Monday 8 September.

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.
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.
COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills

An introduction to psychodynamic ideas about what it means to be human, together with experiential training in communication and counselling skills incorporating psychodynamic principles.
Staff

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

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

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