MSc in Psychoanalytic Observation & Reflective Practice: Therapeutic Work with Children & Young People
Prospectus 2025
We are a charity that exists to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in Scotland
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING I CPD I COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICE
HDS is a not-for-profit organisation and 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.
Our objectives are to improve health and social care professionals’ understanding of, and ability to apply, psychodynamic ways of thinking; and to reduce mental distress by delivering psychodynamic counselling and psychoanalytic psychotherapy to the public.
We offer the following:
A range of professional training courses leading to academic qualifications.
Short courses that can form part of a training escalator for professionals.
CPD events including conferences, workshops and seminars.
Counselling and psychotherapy directly to individuals and families, and as part of employee assistance programmes.
At the heart of all our work are the psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and systemic ideas that offer a profound understanding of how people relate to one another and the central role of human relationships in our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Hundreds of professionals have been equipped by HDS and have used the experience in their work as teachers, social workers and in other ‘people-facing’ professions, for example. Some have shared their experience by returning to teach on our courses, contributed to our conferences and events, and by publishing books and papers.
We wish you all the best in your pursuit of developing your career and hope that you choose HDS to help you further your knowledge and skills.
To keep up to date with our news, information about our academic training and latest events, subscribe to the HDS Newsletter. Sign-up on our website www.hds.scot
HDS offers a range of professional and academic training courses, short courses and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.
Our training is for people working in ‘people-facing’ professions. For example: health and social care services, teachers, third sector and private practice counselling.
Our training courses for professionals translate the psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and systemic ideas, on which all our works is based, into practical tools for understanding the central role that human relationships play in our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
For example, our Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (CAP) programme 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)
Hundreds of professionals have been equipped by HDS and have used the experience in their work as teachers, social workers and in other ‘people-facing’ professions, for example. Some have shared their experience by returning to teach on our courses, contributed to our conferences and events, and by publishing books and papers.
We believe our professional training will help to relieve mental and emotional distress by increasing the availability of, an access to, high quality psychodynamic and psychoanalytic counselling and psychotherapy for all who need them.
The ‘psychodynamic’ approach in counselling and psychotherapy is based on awareness of the importance of early relational experience on us as adults and how this influences us at an unconscious level, at the level of feelings, which powerfully underpin our sense of self. The evidence gained through neuroscientific research strongly supports this perspective.
We grow and develop throughout life, in and through our relationships, and better understanding of these, and a greater sense of personal autonomy, are key aims of this approach.
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.
Treatments and interventions for mental ill health come in many different forms. Most have a conventionally scientific approach to problem solving. They have a tendency to objectify the problem to be solved and respond according to what type of problem it turns out to be.
The goal of most of these treatments is relief from psychological pain. These are the types of help most commonly available through the NHS. They do work, but not for everyone, and sometimes the benefits are only temporary. Psychodynamic approaches are different. They have a very different focus and way of helping an individual. Firstly there is a recognition that we are all different and the uniqueness of the individual seeking help is the starting point for therapy. Secondly the ongoing focus through therapy is the unique subjective experience and sense of self of the individual. Thirdly, the goal is enhanced self knowledge; and long term healing and personal growth.
Find out more about the psychodynamic approach on our website
HDS was formed to carry on the work of the Scottish Institute of Human Relations (SIHR), established by Dr John (Jock) Sutherland and others in 1971 with the aim of expanding the application of psychodynamic thought in Scotland.
We offer the training and services previously delivered by the SIHR. These have at their heart the psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and systemic ideas that offer a profound understanding of how people relate to one another.
Hundreds of professionals have been equipped by HDS and have used the experience in their work as teachers, social workers and in other ‘people-facing’ professions, for example. Some have shared their experience by returning to teach on our courses, contributed to our conferences and events, and by publishing books and papers.
We believe our professional training will help to relieve mental and emotional distress by increasing the availability of, an access to, high quality psychodynamic and psychoanalytic counselling and psychotherapy for all who need them.
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).
HDS is located in central Glasgow. We have a Training Suite where some of our teaching takes place. Our dedicated library for students provides access to resources that help students with assignments and further study.
Welcome to the MSc in Psychoanalytic Observation & Reflective Practice: Therapeutic Work with Children & Young People course (TWCYP)
This part-time Masters professional development course offers an understanding of emotional development and relationships, and their relevance to working with infants, preschoolers, children, young people and their families.
Since 2002, the course has been accredited by the University of Strathclyde.
The course is intended for professionals working with children, young people and their families/carers in a variety of work settings, either in the public, voluntary or private sectors, who are interested in extending their understanding of human development, interactions and relationships from a psychoanalytic perspective and applying their learning to their professional work. Students develop a rigorous, disciplined approach to ‘psychoanalytic observation’ alongside an understanding of psychoanalytic concepts and theory relevant to their professional practice. It is intended to facilitate professional development and enhance work practice in the student’s chosen field.
In order to achieve the Masters, students are required to complete all 8 modules (see Course Content). The course can – subject to availability of places and/or modules – be completed in a minimum of three years but may be taken over a longer period to meet student needs.
Students wishing to complete the course in 3 years need to allocate a minimum of 10/12 hours study per week. If a student is unable to complete the course but has completed 7 modules, the University will confer a PG Diploma; if a minimum of 3 full-year modules have been completed, the University may confer a PG Certificate.
Completing the course requires a minimum of two years part-time study for the Diploma and three years part-time study for the Masters.
• The course is flexible, allowing modules to be taken singly or in combination, and is taught in small, multi-disciplinary groups.
• The modular structure allows students to progress at their own pace to complete the whole course to Masters level or particular modules only.
• Students wishing to complete the qualification in the minimum time should allocate the equivalent of two days per week, one for attending course seminars over three 10-week terms per year, and one for completing the associated course work.
• Course teaching currently takes place on Wednesdays from 13:00 to 18:30. For more information about the programme timetable, please visit our website: www.hds.scot
• To enhance work practice and facilitate professional development by extending knowledge and therapeutic skills from a psychoanalytic perspective
• To promote a model of ‘learning from experience’, with particular emphasis on the importance of detailed observation, an increased awareness of the emotional qualities of interactions, and the significance of emotional experience, including an enhanced capacity for self-reflective practice.
• To provide an in-depth understanding of emotional and personality development from a psychoanalytic perspective, an awareness of psychoanalytic thinking and its application to work practice.
• To provide an understanding of psychoanalytic observation as a research method.
• To extend students’ capacity for partnership working between professions, organisations and agencies through participation in multi-disciplinary, multi-agency learning groups.
• The enhancement of observational skills plus a capacity to make detailed, comprehensive written records of observations
• The increased ability to observe and reflect on interactions between others, and between self and others.
• The ability to apply an emotional and psychoanalytic perspective to observations, including unconscious processes at individual, inter-personal and institutional levels
• The understanding of psychoanalytic perspectives of emotional, social and personality development, and their relevance to work with children, adolescents and families.
• An understanding of factors that promote or impede ordinary child development.
• The opportunity to apply psychoanalytic observation as an observational study to a piece of work practice, presented as the MSc dissertation.
The course is modular in structure, taught in small seminar groups, each seminar is 1¼ hrs in length. A student’s selection of modules and their pathway through the course is based on a combination of their needs, availability of places, module timetabling and a sufficient demand in a given year. The modules are:
These modules offer the opportunity to study a baby’s emotional development from birth to his/her second year, within the context of their family.
The observer is required to visit the baby’s home weekly for one hour, over a period of two years. Each observation is written up in detail and members of the seminar take it in turn to present an observation for discussion. In this way students learn in depth about the personality development of a small number of babies. These two modules must be taken in consecutive years.
2 modules 2 years
This module offers the opportunity to study the emotional and social development of a child between two and four years of age, within the context of his/her home or nursery. Consideration is given to the impact of the family, the wider community, and in nurseries the impact of peer relationships and institutional dynamics. 1 module 1 year
This module provides opportunities for students to think about their work with children or adolescents from a psychoanalytic perspective. The focus is on thinking about the interaction and relationship between the child and worker, how this may reflect the child’s emotional and inner world, and how this understanding can inform work practice.
Members of the seminar group take it in turn to present a detailed account of a current piece of their work.
The Institutional Processes component provides opportunities for students to consider the organisational context of their work. The psychoanalytic study of organisations offers insights into factors that undermine effectiveness at work. Sharing specific observations of institutional life enables students to link relevant concepts to their experience and to apply course learning in their work setting.
1 module 1 year
The theory modules are:
This module explores emotional and personality development from a psychoanalytic perspective, with reference to stages of the life cycle. 1 module 1.5 semesters
This module introduces students to a selection of key psychoanalytic papers from the history of psychoanalysis. 1 module 1 year
This module acquaints students with the tradition of research in psychoanalytic work and child development, including attachment theory, cognitive, social and experimental psychology. Students examine the theoretical assumptions and hypotheses of these approaches, together with the clinical implications of the findings.
It is strongly recommended that students take this module after completing one of the psychoanalytic theory modules as it requires a knowledge of psychoanalytic theory in order to be able to compare different theoretical paradigms. 1 module 1.5 semesters
Having completed the previous 7 modules, students are able to undertake an observational study that is part of their usual work practice, utilising the observational skills and research knowledge developed during their earlier studies.
Please note that the MSc year is the workload equivalent of 3 previous modules.
• A professional qualification requiring a minimum of one year’s training in: health, social work, education or child care e.g. residential or community care, counselling or the ‘therapies’, etc
• One year (minimum) post-qualifying experience in work with children, young people and their families.
• Graduates who have undertaken considerable relevant voluntary work during their undergraduate years may also be considered.
• Continuing professional direct work with children and/or young people throughout the course at a work setting that supports the work practice and observations necessary for the course requirements.
• A capacity to reflect on oneself in relation to work and to others.
• Applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet the English Language Criteria as specified by the University and Faculty.
• Course staff must have a reasonable expectation that the applicants will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course.
• Personal therapy is not a requirement although it may help to support personal and professional development during the course.
• Preliminary enquiries may be made at any time.
• Applicants are required to follow the application process
• The referee will be written to and asked their opinion on the applicant's suitability to undertake the course work.
Admission
• Acceptance is decided by course staff.
• A written offer of a place on the course will be sent. Applicants are required to complete and return a Course Acceptance Form in order to confirm their place and choice of modules.
• The applicant’s Line Manager will be asked to confirm agreement for release from work for study, where applicable.
Accreditation of Prior Formal Learning includes:
• Students who have completed modules in other equivalent Tavistock related courses, such as the Psychoanalytic Observational Studies Course, are eligible for advanced entry. Students are required to submit evidence of having completed specific modules. This includes a copy of the final essay for each module, along with marks and comments related to it as well as a reference from their previous course tutor.
• Each case is considered separately by the Course Staff Group and requires students to provide evidence of authenticity and currency.
For the latest information about fees, please visit our website: www.hds.scot
Module fees consist of tuition fees and the University of Strathclyde registration fee.
Course fees are reviewed annually. They will usually increase in line with inflation and reflect any increase in university accreditation/registration fees.
If you have any questions about the course, please email: courses@hds.scot or call us on 0141 331 2419.
Application forms are located on our website: www.hds.scot where you will also find the latest information about application deadline dates and interview dates.
Students on the Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People (TWCYP) course can apply for a bursary. If granted, it will be a small contribution towards tuition fees and will not cover the full amount of any module fee.
Eligible students are those who are already studying on the course or have accepted an offer of a place.
To apply, please email courses@hds.scot with ‘Bursary Application’ in the subject line of your message. Our Academic Administrator will send you an application form to complete.
The Sutherland Trust - www.sutherlandtrust.org.uk
The Sutherland Trust exists to stimulate thinking about psychodynamic approaches to health, social care and education.
The Guntrip Trust - www.guntriptrust.com
The Trust offers financial support to people in religious vocations.
The Glasgow Educational and Marshall Trust – www.gemt.org.uk
The Trust supports individuals who have lived in the city of Glasgow for at least 5 years.
Funding Scotland – www.funding.scot
A directory of grant giving bodies dealing mainly with organisations but some may award grants to individuals.
FindAMasters funding guide www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/postgraduate-loans-scotland.aspx
FindAMasters is a directory of Masters degrees and postgraduate qualifications at universities around the world.
Your employer
Students’ employers often contribute to fees. Each employer will have their own process for applying for support. Speak to your manager or HR department.
For more information on funding, please visit our website: www.hds.scot/funding
Website www.hds.scot
Email courses@hds.scot
Telephone 0141 331 2419
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Victoria Chambers, 142 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2RQ
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A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity No. SC043664
Registered office: Victoria Chambers, 142 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2RQ
0141 331 2419 I www.hds.scot
We are a charity that exists to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in Scotland
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING I CPD I COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICE
Copyright Human Development Scotland
