The course consists of two years training, each made up of nine units grouped in three modules. (click here to view course outline) Units are issued by post monthly through the academic year, starting each October. Each unit includes theoretical material and experiential exercises. Year One covers basic theory. Year two covers applications. Comparative material with Western psychology is also included. Learning support and contact with other students is encouraged. Students submit work and take part in discussions by e-mail so should have regular access to e-mail. This programme will suit those interested in Buddhist psychology and its therapeutic applications, whether in one to one psychotherapy, or in other settings. It is not itself a full psychotherapy training, but will compliment practical training with Amida or elsewhere.

The course is of interest to practising therapists wishing to integrate a Buddhist approach into their work and others with a general interest in the subject. There are opportunities to reflect on case material and to get feedback on client work. The course offers both theoretical grounding in Buddhist psychology and a wide range of supporting practical exercises. Each unit consists of a pack of about 30 pages. Students are expected to complete a series of journal exercises and to discuss the learning from these on the student e-group. Each module culminates in a written assignment of between 2000 and 3000 words in total.

The Distance Learning course may be taken on its own, or may form the theoretical core of the Amida Trust's Psychotherapy Advanced Certificate programme for which it is also a requirement.

Comments from recent students:
* To work with this material has been very inspiring.
* I liked it! Felt I could respond from where I was, and it opened interesting potentials.
* Varied without feeling disconnected.
* I feel deeply grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn from the Amida Trust group of teachers
* I have just started my second week of classes here at (a well known university in USA). I must say that I am glad I took year 1 of the DLP because the Buddhist psychology course here is not really the same calibre as year 1 of the DLP. For example, we will be talking about mindfulness, suffering, and impermance etc...but not in the in-depth and systematic way that it was presented in year 1 of the DLP.
* The course material is inspirational and supportive to my work as a therapist.

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