Birkbeck College, University of London

• MSc Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy
Three year, part-time course, weekday or Saturday study

• MSc Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents
Three year, part-time course, weekday study

These courses teach psychodynamic theory and practice with an emphasis on understanding clinical work in its organizational and social context. Teaching consists of lectures/seminars, workshops teaching observation and clinical skills and experiential learning in a small and large group setting. Students are in clinical placements in years 2 and 3 of the course.

Graduates of these programmes are eligible to join the Birkbeck Counselling Association, our body of graduates who organize our programme of continuous professional development.

Year 1 gives an introduction to psychodynamic theory and practice, basic observational and clinical skills, professional/ethical issues, and an introduction to the psychosocial and organizational context of clinical work.
NB. The child/adolescent programme includes a mother/infant observation in the first year.

Year 2 teaches more advanced elements of psychodynamic theory and practice, core clinical skills, and looks in depth at different forms of emotional disturbance and psychopathology.

In Year 3, students are taught the key aspects of clinical thinking (diagnosis, formulation etc.), how to use evidence based practice and how to develop their capacity for reflective and critical thinking.