Psychodynamic Counselling: An Introduction



Overview

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.

Programme details

Course begins: 21st Jan 2025

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: Dreams.

Week 6: Working with 'defences' using the concept of Malan and the triangle of insight.

Week 7: Close reading of book: Dibs: in search of self. Stages of development and the emergence of self.

Week 8: Families from a psychodynamic perspective.

Week 9: Groups, culture and diversity: 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.

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this 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 you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £535.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, 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

Tutor

Ms Susan Anne Wilkinson

Sue has worked as a Psychodynamic Counsellor in a range of institutional settings in education and the health  sector. These include, Oxford Brookes University Counselling Service, GP practice, and Plater College Oxford.  

Sue worked in the Department for Continuing Education on the Post Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Studies as a clinical, academic and pastoral tutor. She has experience of running and teaching groups.

Sue has also worked as a Supervisor of clinical work of Counsellors, student Counsellors.

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.

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

Assessment is central to learning on the course. 

A course journal can be a useful learning tool to reflect on personal learning and understanding of concepts introduced in the teaching.

Formative coursework: reading papers and course material for discussion.

Draft for final piece of work, up to 500 words to be submitted to tutor.

Summative assessment:

Option A submit a series of exercises or a portfolio of work over the period of the course eg three 500-word pieces of work

or

Option B a single piece of written work, typically of 1,500 words

Ideas for assignments can be discussed with the tutor throughout the course.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

Applications are received on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, direct online enrolments are not available. Instead, please download and complete BOTH forms below and return them to the Weekly Class Programme Office: weeklyclasses@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Payment for the course will be arranged once places are officially offered and accepted, after the tutor has reviewed your application.
 

1. Enrolment Form (Word) or (Pdf)

2. Counselling Application Form

If you have any questions about the enrolment process please contact us.

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.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support