Introduction to Psychodynamic Counselling
This is our engaging, comprehensive and accessible introduction to the psychodynamic therapy approach conducted across four consecutive Friday mornings. We have a selection of forthcoming dates offering the course across both in-person and online platforms. A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded.
Perhaps you are considering a change of career direction and would like to find out more, have a wish to complement your existing work and responsibilities or simply hold an initial desire to develop your own self-awareness and an understanding of others and their motivations.
The course is also a useful preparation for further possible training on the Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling either with us at Enfield Counselling and Psychotherapy Service (ECPS) or elsewhere.
Course dates: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November 2024
Time: Fridays 10:00 am – 1:15 pm
Location: In person at ECPS Training Centre
Fees: £200.00
Course dates: TBD
Time: Fridays 10:00 am – 1:15 pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Fees: £200.00
We are now accepting applications for the next course.
Deposit of £20 to secure your place
Get in touch with any questions about this course.
Download and fill in the application form, then return by email to ECPS.
Who is the course for?
Our course is open to anyone who has a basic curiosity in the human mind, other people and indeed themselves. It attracts individuals from all backgrounds, cultures and walks of life. Our trainees don’t just come from the caring professions (nursing, volunteering etc.) but also from the worlds of business and education, family carers and anyone who might find themselves in an ‘in between’ place at the moment.
This may be the very beginning of something new and rewarding for you or at the very least an opportunity to get more informed about what it might mean to take up psychodynamic therapy training, what ‘being a psychodynamic therapist/counsellor’ looks like or in comprehending a psychodynamic understanding of human behaviour.
What are the aims of the course?
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- To acquaint you with the counselling training processes and experiential learning
- To introduce you to personal growth work and an understanding of its place in Psychodynamic counselling training
- To raise awareness of what psychodynamic counselling is and is not, where its use is appropriate and the basic ethics and responsibilities involved
What are the entry requirements?
No formal qualifications are required but you should be aware that the course involves experiential learning (using your experiences) and self-awareness exercises.
What learning methods will be used?
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- Weekly interactive seminars introducing the psychodynamic approach
- Weekly experiential and practical exercises
- Reflecting upon and examining attitudes and beliefs towards mental health
- Opportunities to develop self-awareness through sharing experiences with other group members. Practising and trying out new ways of relating with other group members and receiving feedback.
There will be a selection of handouts provided during the course.
What topics are covered on the course?
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- Introducing psychodynamic theories
- Introducing and practising basic counselling skills
- Exploring attitudes, values and beliefs about human nature
- Introducing psychopathology and presenting symptoms
- Exploring and acquiring ways of responding through sharing ideas and feedback within the group
Course Assessment
There is no formal assessment but a minimum of 80% attendance is required for course completion. On successful completion students will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. This course is validated by the Enfield Counselling & Psychotherapy Service.
Course Information
The course is held in person at Enfield Counselling & Psychotherapy Service and consists of 12 hours (3 hours per day) of sessions over 4 weeks.
NB. Completion of this course does not qualify you to practice as a counsellor.
The Staff:
The course tutors are qualified and experienced psychotherapists and psychodynamic counsellors.
Enrolment
To enrol on the course, please complete the application form and send it together with the enrolment fee of £20 to secure your place, to the address below. Full payment is required before start of course.
Students taking the Introductory Course will be considered for entry to the Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling course.
“As a complete novice to the practice of psychotherapy & counselling, I was looking for a short course to introduce me to the subject and help me decide whether to pursue a career in the field. The course was perfect for this; it was engaging, the teaching was clear, and the experiential learning was impactful. It served as an excellent foundation for me, and I have now commenced the next stage of training on the path towards qualifying as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist.”
— Uche, student on the April 2023 Introductory course —
“The course content was perfect for me as I had very little understanding of the psychodynamic approach before I began, and the taught part of the course was led by a therapist in the psychodynamic approach who had undergone her own training at ECPS. We were guided through some challenging theory that gave us a good sense of what the expectations might be if we pursued the Certificate course. Many aspects of our learning and experiences were related back to the therapy room, in order that we might see the application of our learning, and what life might be like as a therapist.
The second part of the morning, the Experiential Session, was like nothing I have ever experienced. Designed to facilitate a group dynamic that explores our experiences together in the moment, it took some getting used to, but it gave us a real insight into the free association nature of the psychodynamic experience, and gave us some interesting insights into how we behave in a group setting.
Overall, I would highly recommend the course if, like me, you are interested in finding out more about the psychodynamic approach, but you want to really get into it and experience it for yourself. Despite it being a short introduction to the approach, the tutors / facilitators don’t mollycoddle you, and there are some real personal insights to be had if you are up for it too! Since completing the Introduction I have opted to progress to the Certificate course with ECPS.”
— Laura, student on the February 2023 Introductory course —
