Why we exist

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

Click on the links below to read about:

Our vision, mission, objectives and how we achieve our aims & objectives
Our values
Our policies

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

Funded places available for a Postgraduate Diploma education programme for Infant Mental Health specialists

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 Thursday 14 September.
Jobs

Human Development Scotland (HDS) employ a combination of full/part-time staff and tutors/counsellors on a contractual basis.
Marking the 10th anniversary of HDS

Last December marked the 10th anniversary of the inception of Human Development Scotland (HDS). Lindsay Shrubsole, Chair of the Board at HDS, shares more about the journey we've been on, and the journey ahead.
Graduation event 2023 HRC

Join our graduation event at our HDS Training Suite. This will be an opportunity to celebrate our graduates and any graduands at an in-person event.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Staff

Meet the team at Human Development Scotland (HDS) who work to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people in Scotland.
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.
Counsellors wanted for our therapeutic services

Are you a counselling professional or know of someone with the capacity to take on new clients? HDS has seen a growth in its counselling services and we are seeking to add to our team of counsellors.
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