Why we exist

Human Development Scotland (HDS) is a registered Scottish charity (SC043664).

Our vision

A mentally healthy and emotionally well Scotland.

Our mission

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.

Our objectives

To improve health and social care professionals’ understanding of, and ability to apply, psychodynamic ways of thinking.
To reduce mental distress by delivering psychodynamic counselling and psychoanalytic psychotherapy to the public.

How we achieve our aims & objectives

We will deliver:

A training escalator for professionals working with adults, children and young people.
A post-qualification CPD programme.
Consultancy and supervision services for practitioners and organisations.
Psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy for the public.

Our values

Quality
Integrity
Energy and determination
Diversity

Our policies

You may also be interested in:

What is psychodynamic theory? Professional training Counselling services

Latest

Facing a winter during a pandemic

It is expected that the recent lockdown measures in-place will take a heavier toll on people’s mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has outlined ten risks and ideas for protecting and supporting mental health this winter.
Embodied 'presence': working and living online

HDS Board Member, Mary MacCallum Sullivan, provides a review of an article by Dan Nixon. In ‘The body as mediator’, he foregrounds the embodied experience of the dis-embodiment we all currently share, as we sit glued to our screens because of C-19.
Discussing and addressing mental health in the workplace

In the second part of their, “There For Each Other” campaign, The Scotsman published an article about what support is available to Scottish employees and employers – and how can it help? HDS provides an Employee Assistance Counselling Service and we were invited to contribute to the article.
Reflecting on this year and looking forward to 2021

Reflecting on the challenges that were placed before HDS and acknowledging the tremendous support we’ve had throughout the year.

Facing a winter during a pandemic

It is expected that the recent lockdown measures in-place will take a heavier toll on people’s mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has outlined ten risks and ideas for protecting and supporting mental health this winter.
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.
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.
Open Days

Thinking about studying with HDS? Our next Open Day takes place online on Saturday 20 March. It's an opportunity to hear more from our Course Leads about our training courses and to register for a Question & Answer meeting.
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.

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