Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling

• Recent completion of WCP Foundation in Psychodynamic Skills & Attitudes or equivalent*. (*Please contact us to discuss).  Please note it is only possible to join the Diploma training at the Year 2 entry level due to the modular curriculum of the course.
• Be in therapy with a therapist approved by WCP and attending at least at least once-weekly for 6 months prior to starting the Diploma training
• Evidence of the intellectual potential to complete the theoretical elements of the course, including written assignments
• Previous experience in a ‘helping’ or supportive role using counselling skills
• Able to attend course dates

The interview process will involve a group workshop and there will be 2 interviews; a practical interview at WCP and a personal interview with a psychoanalytic psychotherapist.

Please see 'Course dates and Calendar of Events' for the workshop and practical interview date.  You will be contacted separately regarding the personal interview.

Course Structure

The diploma course consists of 2 Theory Years followed by Clinical Consolidation years.  The Foundation (stage 1) counts as the pre-clinical year.   

The course runs approximately in accordance with the academic year.  The course takes place on a Monday and there are two cohorts, group one begins the day at 9.15am and completes the day at 4.00pm and group two begins the day at 2.30 pm and completes at 9.00pm.  Places are limited; please indicate your preferred start time on your application. 

Course Day Theory Years

The day will include a theory and a clinical seminar, small-group supervision* and an experiential group.

There are three compulsory Saturday workshops and three personal tutorials during each academic year.

(*Note – the cost of supervision is included in the overall cost of our courses and takes place 42 weeks of the year)

Course Day Clinical Consolidation

A shorter day with a clinical seminar (30 weeks), an experiential group for 30 weeks and supervision (42 weeks)

Outside the course day

Client work:  Trainees must aim to be available between 2 and 4 hours per week to see clients at one of the Wessex locations and/or at an agreed external placement

Personal Therapy: Diploma trainees are required to be in therapy (at least once per week) with a Wessex approved therapist at an additional fee agreed with your therapist. 

For the list of Wessex approved therapists click here

Workshops:  In addition to the three compulsory Saturday workshops each academic year, trainees are encouraged to explore some of the other Wessex CPD workshops to broaden clinical and theoretical perspectives.

Course Aims and Outcomes

• Equip trainees with the skills and techniques of the psychodynamic model to enable them to work as professional counsellors, eligible for registration with the BACP and BPC
• Equip trainees to work as reflective practitioners, using psychodynamic theory within a pluralistic culture
• Inform trainees of the context and limits of the psychodynamic approach
• Encourage trainees to further learning by engaging with research and development in our field
• Equip trainees to work ethically with difference in a diverse cultural setting

Assessment is continuous and is achieved through self, staff and peer review and feedback.  You must successfully complete each year and your work approved for continued training.  The expectation is to attend 100% of the course however we do understand sometimes situations arise beyond control, therefore the minimum required attendance is 90%.

Theory: Successful completion and achievement of a pass for two 2000-word essays per academic years 2 and 3

Clinical Seminar: Attendance and active engagement in years 2,3 and 4

Supervision: Achievement of approval for practice by your supervisor in years 2, 3 and 4

Client Work: Achievement of 150 supervised client hours.   A one-year relationship with one client. 

Final Clinical Paper: Successful completion and achievement of a pass for one 4,000-word case study

Achievement of the above entitles you to work as BPC Registered Counsellor and a BACP Counsellor.  BACP membership and BPC registration entitle you to register with the PSA accredited National Voluntary Register for Counsellors and Psychotherapists

Please submit your application online using the link below.  

• £125 interview fee to be paid as per the application
• £3300 - 2024/25 course fees, 2025/26 tbc (instalment option available, £100 admin fee applies 
• £70 additional cost for access to online psychoanalytic library (pep-web.org)

  For information on fees click here