Course Structure
The diploma course is three years, Diploma 2, Diploma 3, Diploma 4. 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 8.45pm. Places are limited; please indicate your preferred start time on your application.
Course Day Years 2 and 3
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 Year 4
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