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

New studies highlight the need for more mental health treatment

In recent weeks, new studies have highlighted the need for more mental health treatment in Scotland. One in four people say the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative effect on their mental health in the future. One third of those who had experienced a mental health problem before the pandemic said their condition had worsened since March 2020. It underlines the importance of HDS’s role to provide training and counselling services to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in Scotland.
Thinking about Children, Young People and Adults with Learning Disabilities: A Work Discussion Seminar

People with learning difficulties have often experienced separation and loss, trauma and some have experienced deprivation or abuse. This series of 10 online seminars are designed to provide an opportunity for a range of professionals working with children and adults to think about the challenges that the children and adults face and the challenges that they pose for those working and caring for them.
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.
Thinking about Adolescents: A Work Discussion Seminar

Because of COVID-19 those of us working with adolescents are challenged as never before. How do we support them with the additional fears and anxieties they may feel caused by the pandemic? How do we manage with the adjustments we have to make due to COVID-19 in working with this age group? This series of 10 online seminars are designed to provide an opportunity for a range of professionals working with adolescents to think about these and other concerns.

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.
Award winners

HDS received the Volunteer Friendly Award in recognition of the volunteering opportunities we provide.
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.
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.
ISE - Endings and loss: In my beginning is my end

*EVENT SOLD OUT* With T.S. Eliot’s lines from East Coker in mind, Katie Lewis will be exploring the circularity of endings and beginnings, our defences against the painfulness of loss and the possible resolution of mourning. However, there is no development without loss and not all endings are negative. Katie will give three clinical vignettes which will be a basis for discussion during the ISE.
What is the psychodynamic approach

At the heart of our work at HDS is psychodynamic theory. At HDS, we believe that psychodynamic approaches, in contrast to many other types of help, support individuals to go beyond self knowledge which is consciously available to them, and supports these individuals to address difficult and painful issues which they have been (unconsciously) hiding from themselves.

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