Who we are

Human Development Scotland (HDS) is a registered Scottish charity (SC043664). Our vision is for a mentally healthy and emotionally well Scotland.

Our mission is to 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.

One of the ways we do this, is by offering professional training and CPD. 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).

Find out more about HDS by clicking the links below.

Why we exist Our team Our history

Latest

HDS receives grant funding from the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund

Human Development Scotland (HDS) is delighted to have received grant funding from the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund set up by the Scottish Government and allocated through Inspiring Scotland.
Open Days

We normally have two sets of Open Days (Spring and Autumn) each year to help you find out more about our professional training courses. 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.
Rise in mental health problems amid pandemic

Doctors are seeing a rise in people reporting severe mental health difficulties, a group of NHS leaders says. The NHS Confederation estimate that the rising demand will outstrip pre-coronavirus levels - perhaps by as much as 20%.
A crucial time for employers to invest in counselling

The impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on employees’ work and personal lives shows this is a crucial time for employers to invest in workplace counselling, according to a new report.

Award winners

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

We normally have two sets of Open Days (Spring and Autumn) each year to help you find out more about our professional training courses. 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.
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.
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.
Privacy Policy

We respect the privacy rights of individuals and are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable law. This notice sets out the personal data that we collect and process about you, the purposes of the processing and the rights that you have in connection with it.
Why choose HDS?

There are many considerations when choosing to invest your time and resources to develop your further education. Here are reasons why HDS can help you in your professional development.
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.

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