The aims of the two-year programme are to:

• deepen students' understanding of psychosynthesis as a core model of theory and practice
• train reflective psychosynthesis practitioners who work at a high level of competency;
• prepare students to gain full independent professional status, accreditation and registration
• prepare students for further study.

Students will study the theory of psychosynthesis; conduct client work and receive clinical supervision; learn counselling skills; and undertake their own therapy and other types of personal development.

• The Psychosynthesis and Education Trust, which runs this UEL-validated programme, is the oldest psychosynthesis centre in the UK.
• The Post Graduate Diploma has been BACP accredited since 1989, and was the second programme to be accredited in the country.
• The PG Dip leads on eventually to the MA in Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy, which enables the student to be on the UKCP National Register of Psychotherapists subject to clinical experience.
• Core staff are senior psychosynthesis tutors, as well as senior practitioners and supervisors in psychosynthesis therapy. In addition, leading experts in specialised fields such as Gestalt therapy, contribute to the programme.

Admission to the programme requires the student:

• normally to have had previous experience of counselling, or to demonstrate evidence of personal growth

• to have a first degree, or equivalent
• to have successfully completed the Introductory Year of Psychosynthesis Foundations or equivalent
• to supply two referees who know them professionally/personally.

Applicants are assessed by the training staff who teach their Foundation Year programme, and may additionally be called to interview.

The Postgraduate Diploma is a two year, part-time programme.  We have 11 training weekends each year.  We have two course intakes each calendar year; February and September.  Our academic year consists of two semesters with breaks during August and the Christmas holiday period.  Students have 2 modes of attendance: block format (Friday - Monday), or intermonth format (Friday – Sunday plus 4 weekday evenings a month).  Each format is subject to sufficient numbers.

Experiential seminars, discussions, lectures, structured experiences, practicums, group and individual tutorials, theoretical essay and case study writing, small group work, live and video demonstrations, observation of sessions, reflections on clinical practice, clinical supervision, presentations, role play and other spontaneous techniques, individual therapy, relational dynamics groups, journal writing, and process groups.

Assessment is based entirely on coursework and clinical placement. Over the two years, this comprises:

• Two written Theoretical Essays
• One Written Systems Analysis Project
• Two Written Clinical Case Studies
• Supervisors Assessment and Report
• Study Tutor Assessment and Report

Students are also required to complete clinical hours, clinical presentations, therapy hours, workbooks, and receive satisfactory clinical placement reports and trainer feedback.

All components of assessment from Year One must be passed in order to progress to Year Two.

The Trust's professional programmes are fully recognized by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (for counsellors) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (for psychotherapists). Including the Introductory Foundation year, a typical student would be eligible for UKCP registration after 4-5 years.

Graduates of the Diploma will have fulfilled the BACP training component for individual counsellor accreditation, though will need to accrue more clinical hours before being able to apply for individual accreditation.

Those wishing to progress on to study for a UKCP-recognised psychotherapy qualification may apply to do the one-year UEL-validated MA in Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy upon completion of PET's Atrium Year, which follows the Post Graduate Diploma. Subject to satisfactory completion of all clinical requirements and a qualifying case study, graduates will be eligible for UKCP registration, and to maintain this through ongoing membership of the Psychosynthesis Professional Association.

Graduates are also members of the European Association for Psychotherapy via the European Federation for Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy.

Many assessed items of coursework are based on project work, such as the training work book. The training workbook is at the heart of the Postgraduate Diploma, and is seen as of primary value to the trainee. It would normally consist of the following sections: Personal Development work, Conceptual and Thematic work, Supervised work and Observations. It is the opportunity for the trainee to record progress at all levels throughout the training, and is assessed annually by the designated tutor.

A Clinical Case Study, which integrates the theory and practice of psychosynthesis counselling is submitted in both the first and second years, the first being 2,500 words and the second 5,000 words

Two theoretical essays are to be written over the two-year programme, each the result of a choice made by the student to explore more deeply some part of the core teaching. In addition, students undertake a Systems Analysis project.

After graduation of the two-year Diploma, and the achievement of 250 supervised clinical hours, students are eligible to apply for individual registration with the United Kingdom Association of Therapeutic Counsellors (UKATC) and for accreditation with BACP after 450 hours.

See above. Graduates of the Trust are fully-recognised as counsellors / psychotherapists within the UK, and work in many areas of the public sector, education and private practice.

• Each student has an individual pastoral Study Tutor for personal and individualised support with their academic work;
• Students are also assigned to tutorial groups, where they will give and receive peer support.

On a practical level:

• The Trust has its own library, and students are also provided with original reading material, and may purchase additional articles and resources;
• Students have access to UEL’s Stratford Campus library, which houses the School of Psychology collection;
• Books required for the programme are on sale from the Trust office, and can also be sent to students for a small fee;
• There is a Common Room, equipped with a microwave etc, for the use of the students;
• A Meditation room is available for students requiring a quiet space.

• We have our own Student Placement Service and Low-Cost Counselling Service
• We have built up a good relationship with many counseling agencies and charities, who provide us with many diverse placement opportunities for clinical work
• The Trust building has recently undergone a major programme of renovation and redecoration, providing a fresh and creative learning environment;
• Situated at London Bridge, we are well sited for those who wish to enjoy historic London, or simply to walk by the Thames;
• There are numerous eating and shopping amenities in the immediate vicinity.
• We are easily reached by train, bus and tube;