Conceptual clarity
Explain the defining features and purposes of counselling, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
CPD Accredited Diploma · Self-Paced Online
Diploma in Counselling, Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis
Explore the major traditions of talking therapy, develop a grounded understanding of the therapeutic relationship and discover the ideas that continue to shape counselling and psychotherapy today.
6 Units · Self-Paced
100% Online
CPD Certified in London
Personal Tutorial Support
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Understand the theory. Explore the relationship. Develop your own informed perspective.
DurationStudy at your own pace
Study TimeApproximately 3–4 hours weekly
DeliveryFully online
AssessmentOne assignment and final quiz
Course Fee£395 or 4 × £99
A broad foundation in the talking therapies
Three traditions. One integrated learning journey.
This diploma introduces the theory, history and core methods of counselling, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. It examines where these approaches overlap, where they differ and how each has contributed to our understanding of psychological distress and change.
The course is written in clear, accessible language and uses case material and reflective exercises to connect important ideas with the realities of helping relationships.
It is suitable for personal development, as a foundation for further study, or as a valuable addition to work in areas such as education, healthcare, human resources and support services.
Understand the distinctionsClarify the differences between counselling, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
Explore the therapeutic relationshipExamine empathy, congruence, boundaries, transference and countertransference.
Compare major approachesDevelop a balanced understanding of humanistic, psychodynamic, behavioural and integrative traditions.
Learn with supportReceive feedback on your assignments and contact your tutor with course-related questions.
Learning outcomes
What you will develop
By the end of the course, you will have a structured understanding of the ideas, qualities and professional considerations at the heart of the talking therapies.
Core counselling skills
Understand listening, reflection, exploration, appropriate challenge, goal setting and evaluation.
Professional qualities
Recognise the importance of empathy, sensitivity, congruence, discretion and unconditional positive regard.
Theoretical range
Compare influential psychotherapy approaches, their central concepts and their methods.
Psychodynamic insight
Understand Freud’s model, unconscious processes, defence mechanisms and later developments.
Reflective awareness
Consider self-knowledge, supervision, referral and the ethical limits of the helping role.
Course content
Six structured units
The programme moves from the foundations of counselling through major psychotherapy approaches to the development and continuing influence of psychoanalysis.
Foundations of Counselling
Definitions of counselling, the talking therapies, counselling in society and the differences between counselling, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
Counselling Skills & Professional Qualities
Listening, reflection, exploration, appropriate challenge, self-disclosure, immediacy, goal setting, empathy, congruence, supervision and referral.
Understanding Psychotherapy
Defining psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship, client rights, effectiveness, potential risks and the key questions surrounding therapeutic work.
Approaches to Psychotherapy
Person-centred, existential, Gestalt, transactional analysis, rational emotive, personal construct, systems and other influential approaches.
Foundations of Psychoanalysis
Freud, unconscious processes, dreams, psychosexual development, id, ego and superego, defence mechanisms, transference and countertransference.
Developments Since Freud
An introduction to Jung, Erikson, Kohut, Adler, Rank, Fromm, Anna Freud, Sullivan, Horney, Klein and the major post-Freudian schools.
Flexible online study
Delivery and assessment
How you will learn
- Six online units completed at your own pace
- Structured reading material in clear, accessible language
- Short videos and slide presentations
- Case material and reflective learning activities
- Approximately 3–4 hours of study each week
How you will be assessed
- One written assignment submitted after Unit 3
- A final online quiz completed after Unit 6
- Questions relate directly to the course material
- The written assignment includes factual, reflective and self-development elements
- Individual tutor grading and feedback
- Your diploma is awarded after successful completion
Your course tutor
Dr John Crimmins
Founder, The Behaviour Institute
Dr John Crimmins has more than 25 years of clinical experience across cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches. He provides tutorial support, answers questions relating to the course material and offers feedback on submitted assignments.
Start when you are ready
Enrol in the diploma
Study online at your own pace with personal tutorial support and receive your CPD-accredited diploma after successful completion.
Flexible payment option
Pay in monthly instalments
Spread the course fee over four monthly payments of £99 (£396 in total). Your payment amount and currency are shown in the Stripe table below.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
How is the diploma delivered?
The diploma is fully online and self-paced. The six units include reading materials, short videos, slide presentations, case material and reflective activities. There are no compulsory live classes.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have lifetime access to the course materials and can study at your own pace. There is no fixed completion deadline.
How is the course assessed?
You submit one written assignment after Unit 3 and complete a final online quiz after Unit 6. The assignment is graded by your tutor, with individual feedback. Your diploma is awarded after successful completion.
What does the course cost?
The one-time fee is £395. Alternatively, you can spread the cost over four monthly payments of £99, totalling £396. The instalment amount may be displayed in your local currency by Stripe.
Who is the tutor, and is support available?
Your tutor is Dr John Crimmins, founder of The Behaviour Institute, with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He provides tutorial support, answers course-related questions and gives feedback on submitted assignments.
Download the free ebook by Dr John Crimmins
