Psychodynamic Studies

Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling

Course Code | 000220 

A broadly-based study of psychodynamic theory, philosophy and techniques designed for those aspiring eventually to practise professionally or for those who wish to apply psychotherapeutic skills in their place of work or other settings.

The emphasis is on experiential and cognitive learning. Its aim is to provide an orientation in the shared precepts of the major psychodynamic schools of thought, in order to prepare students for the more detailed examination of the different schools and their clinical applicability on the Postgraduate Diploma course.  

The Postgraduate Certificate is not a clinical training.

• Length of programme: One year, part-time
• Core topics include:
  • The Psychodynamic Approach
  • Therapeutic Processes and Skills
  • Therapeutic, Practical and Ethical Implications

Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice

Course Code | 000240

The Diploma extends the rigorous study and discussion of the subject area literature begun on the Certificate course and incorporates a clinical training element via a placement. The course offers candidates of postgraduate ability a core training in the profession of counselling and psychotherapy.

Trainees will study and discuss the subject area literature, and undertake substantial clinical training. Trainees will undergo personal off-course psychodynamic therapy, and will see clients/patients in a placement setting and receive supervision.

• Length of programme: Two years, part-time
• Core topics include:
  • Historical and Theoretical Perspective
  • The Psychiatric Perspective
  • The Current Perspective
  • The Developmental Perspective

MSt in Psychodynamic Practice 

Course Code | 000230

The Master’s course provides the final component of the integrated programme in Psychodynamic Studies. It offers trainees who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma course the opportunity to extend and develop further their academic research skills along with their clinical practice.

Once a suitable number of clinical hours have been completed, successful students can apply for accreditation as 'psychodynamic counsellors' with the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA), a member body of the Universities Training College (UTC) that forms part of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)*.

The MSt may be taken immediately following the Diploma or at a later stage. The MSt consists of research seminars and clinical seminars with individual research tutorials in Trinity term to support the writing up stage of the 15,000-word dissertation.

• Length of programme: One year, part-time
• Core topics include:
  • Research Methodology
  • Research Work in Progress
  • Advanced Clinical Practice
  • Therapeutic Issues

* Please note that a number of these structure and terms are currently under review and are likely to change over the 2012/13 academic year.

While the department does not offer a DPhil programme in this subject, it may be possible from time to time to take exceptional research students where appropriate supervision can be offered and either the department, or, where relevant, the applicant's employer, can provide appropriate facilities. Applicants would need to demonstrate that they have skills and competencies in Psychodynamic Practice or an interest in psychoanalytic thought and practice.

The DPhil would be available on a part-time basis, to be completed in a minimum of four years, and would normally start in October. Informal enquires should be directed to the MSt course director.

Students have access to the Bodleian Library, its electronic resources and its dependent libraries including the Radcliffe Science Library and the Department for Continuing Education library.

College affiliation is not required for students studying for the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.