Short course
Psychodynamic Counselling: An Introduction
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
29/09/2026 - 01/12/202610:00 - 12:30
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£395.00
Based on psychoanalytical theory, the course introduces key psychodynamic concepts and aspects of clinical practice. There is an element of self-reflection connecting to theory and practice. The course will include group discussion, listening skills exercises, and reading papers/articles, relating to the topics studied.
Psychodynamic counselling has its roots in the work of Freud, Klein and the object relations school of thought. Today the approach is home to multiple schools, with associated perspectives and practices. What is common to this way of conceptualising human development and experience? How do those who work in this way structure their practice in the effort to best understand and alleviate personal difficulties presented by others? How does the subjective experience of both helper and helped contribute for better or worse to the process? The course is designed to address these questions through active exploration of ideas, cultural context, examining our own subjective and objective responses.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Course aims
To examine, reflect on and integrate theory, self and practice in helping relationships, specifically relating this to the counselling relationship.
Course Objectives:
- The nature and key concepts of psychodynamic counselling.
- The process and significance of self reflection and self awareness in psychodynamic counselling.
- The skills and attributes required to think and work from a psychodynamic approach.
Programme details
Course starts Tuesday 29 September 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 10.00am-12.30pm.
Week 1: Beginnings and the nature of psychodynamic counselling.
Week 2: Theory from Freud and Klein, linked to concepts in psychodynamic counselling.
Week 3: Bowlby Attachment Theory. Winnicott object relations ‘facilitating environment’. Bion the concept of ‘Containment’
Week 4: The setting in counselling. Boundaries. Active listening.
Week 5: The therapeutic relationship. Unconscious communication/processes.
Week 6: Working with ‘defences’.
Week 7: Stages of development and the emergence of self.
Week 8: Families from a psychodynamic perspective.
Week 9: Ethics.
Week 10: Endings. Reflecting on the process of ending counselling relationships. What endings might mean for the students, in particular ending the course. Reviewing what we have learnt together, with our thoughts on how we might use this learning in the future.
Teaching methods
A wide range of methods will be employed (e.g case discussion, skills work, lecture input, experiential and reflective exercises in small groups and the larger group) allowing course members to develop their understanding of psychodynamic ideas and practice.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have an increased understanding of:
- the theories underpinning Psychodynamic thinking from Freud to contemporary schools of thought, concepts and practice;
- certain concepts that underpin psychodynamic thinking: the unconscious, transference and how these aspects may become manifest with clients. Looking at case-studies and clinical materials;
- the process of self-reflection, development and change;
- the dynamics of inter-personal relations, within the personal and societal domains;
- a psychodynamic perspective in relation to cultural and ethical frameworks.
Students who complete the course successfully may wish to consider taking further courses in Counselling, such as those offered by the Department for Continuing Education.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Miss Laura McDonald
Laura McDonald is a counsellor and psychotherapist. She works with schools and colleges to set up and run counselling services, delivers professional development and training, writes about counselling issues and practises in Oxford.
Certification
Academic credit
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)
Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.
Digital certificate of completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £395.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Psychodynamic Counselling in a Nutshell / Howard, Susan
- The Examined Life / Stephen Grosz
Module code: O26P522PCW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.