Diploma in Contemporary
Psychodynamic Counselling

Key Information

Application Deadline:	Applications for 2026/27 have now closed
Course Start Date:	September 2026
Course Format:	In-person (St Albans)
Course Length:	3 years (part-time) — 5 hours tutor contact time per week plus a clinical placement and supervision in year 2 and 3
Course Fees:	Details of our course fees and payment options are available in our prospectus. If you have any queries, please do contact us.
Accreditation:	Mapping onto SCoPEd Column B for individual accreditation subject to meeting all BACP requirements. This is a BACP accredited course.

2026 Prospectus

Who is this course for:

This course is suitable for anyone who wishes to start training as a psychodynamic counsellor.

There are no formal academic requirements to enrol on this course but a few years relevant work and life experience are required as is the ability to work at FHEQ level 4-6.

All applicants will be interviewed and will need to demonstrate readiness to train as a professional counsellor.

We recommend that applicants undertake an Introduction to Counselling Skills Course. An IELTS score of 7 (minimum) is required if English is not your first language.

Course Features

Placement Offered

Supervised placement offered in our clinical service with pastoral support provided.

Integrated Skills

Start your career with confidence, equipped with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Small Groups

Located in St Albans with small class sizes and 5 hours of tutor contact time per week.

Accredited Courses

Accredited by the BACP – a recognised and respected professional body.

Experienced Tutors

Qualified therapists and tutors who provide a nurturing environment for optimal learning.

Enquire Today

We would be happy to discuss your interest in our course. Please call 0300 303 6690 or click below:

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Open Days

We have various open days available, both online and in-person. Click below for more information:

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Course Overview

Learn more about this course and all of the training options available. Including information on pathways:

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Applications and Further Information

If you are happy with all of the information you have seen so far and would like to apply, please request the application form below and indicate which course you wish to apply for. Alternatively, you can call 0300 303 6690 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

A limited number of bursaries are available for applicants who would otherwise be unable to afford the training.

For further details, please contact us at training2@counsellingfoundation.org.

Please note:

Once you have requested an application form, you will also receive instructions on how to apply. Please read these carefully and follow them fully. It is important that all questions on the application form are answered as thoroughly as possible, as suitability is assessed based on your responses. We aim to acknowledge receipt of applications within five working days.

Alternatively, you can use our contact form below to get in touch.

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“This course was tremendously enriching for me both as an individual and as a student. I learned to think differently and appreciate different perspectives. I also gained valuable skills that I can use in my future studies and career. Overall, although the experience was challenging at times, the experience was immensely rewarding.”

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have done such a quality, rich course.”

At TCF the psychodynamic training gave me a broad and rich array of psychodynamic theorists and theories to which I anchored my own practice.

FAQs

Do I need to any previous training to apply for the Diploma?

No, you will not need any prior knowledge of Psychodynamic Counselling in order to apply for the Diploma although it is a good idea to do your own research on different modalities of training
Is the course BACP accredited?
What happens if I fail a written assignment?
How many clinical hours do I need?
What if I do not achieve my clinical hours during the Diploma?

You would then enter a third (or more) year; become a Finisher and you may incur finisher fees. You would continue working with your clients attending your supervision and your personal therapy. The course CANNOT be extended beyond 5 years for the Diploma so your training must be completed within this time.
Where can I get an external placement?

The Counselling Foundation assists students in providing information about external placements that we have previously approved as working in line with our policies and procedures. Nevertheless, if you know of a counselling agency that can offer you a placement, please contact the Programme Tutor with the agency’s details. An assessment may then be undertaken to ascertain if they meet our criteria. Students may not have more than two placements at any one time. Internal placements are offered to students on our Diploma Course.
Will the 5 hours of theory be taught in one session or more than one?
How many students will there be in a seminar group?
Will TCF be able to offer all Diploma students enough clients/client hours in order to reach the required 100?

It is important to remember that if you are offered and accept an internal placement, we can never guarantee client hours as it depends on your availability, your ability to hold clients, client flow, client availability etc. No placement will ever guarantee client hours. Other options might include a second placement. However, if for example you were to see 4 clients a week for 45 weeks a year that would be 180 hours per year.
Will we be able to take a break after year 1 or year 2 of the Diploma?
Can you apply for individual BACP accreditation at the end of the new 3-year Diploma course (and if so, can you set up private practice?)

You will need to meet BACP‘s requirements for individual registration – Column A (300 hours of theory and 100 hours of supervised clinical practice) and then individual accreditation Column B (450 hours of theory and 450 hours of supervised clinical practice of which 150 hours need to be post qualifying). The Diploma aims to give you all the required theory hours. The clinical hours component will vary from person to person depending at what speed they wish to progress. This is down to individual choice and lifestyle, and we recommend that you think carefully about what suits you. Students should not expect to apply for individual accreditation immediately on completion of the course.

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Diploma in Contemporary
Psychodynamic Counselling

Key Information

Who is this course for:

Placement Offered

Integrated Skills

Small Groups

Accredited Courses

Experienced Tutors

Enquire Today

Open Days

Course Overview

Applications and Further Information

FAQs

Get In Touch

Contact Us

Further Information

Documents and Policies

Get Social

Diploma in Contemporary Psychodynamic Counselling

Key Information

Who is this course for:

Placement Offered

Integrated Skills

Small Groups

Accredited Courses

Experienced Tutors

Enquire Today

Open Days

Course Overview

Applications and Further Information

FAQs

Get In Touch

Diploma in Contemporary
Psychodynamic Counselling