PsyDept — Psychology Courses & Encyclopedia
| Type | Educational platform |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Dr. Elena Vasquez, Ph.D. |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Courses | 80+ expert-led programs |
| Encyclopedia | 2,400+ peer-reviewed articles |
| Students | 45,000+ worldwide |
| Fields | Clinical, CBT, EMDR, Neuropsychology, Family Therapy, Positive Psychology, and more |
| Website | psydept.net |
PsyDept is an independent educational organization dedicated to advancing psychological knowledge worldwide. We offer two core resources: a catalogue of professional courses for practicing psychologists and therapists, and a free, peer-reviewed encyclopedia covering every major branch of psychology — from clinical assessment to neuroscience.
Unlike commercial course marketplaces, PsyDept takes an academic, evidence-based approach. Every course is designed and taught by practicing clinicians and researchers. Every encyclopedia article is fact-checked against current DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 standards, with full bibliographic references. We believe that high-quality psychological education should be accessible — not gated behind paywalls or marketing funnels.
Whether you are a licensed therapist seeking CE credits, a psychology student preparing for licensure, or someone who simply wants to understand how the mind works — PsyDept organizes knowledge into clear, comparable, academically rigorous resources.
1. About PsyDept
PsyDept was founded in 2020 by Dr. Elena Vasquez, a clinical psychologist with 20 years of practice in cognitive-behavioral therapy and trauma treatment. Frustrated by the fragmentation of psychological knowledge — scattered across paywalled journals, expensive workshops, and unverified online content — she built PsyDept as a single, trustworthy hub.
The platform now hosts 80+ courses across every major therapeutic modality, and an encyclopedia with 2,400+ articles that receives over 500,000 monthly readers. All courses offer CE/CPD credits recognized by major psychological associations in North America and Europe.
2. Course catalogue — for psychologists
Professional programs for licensed therapists and psychologists. All courses include supervised practice components, formal assessment, and CE/CPD credits recognized by the APA and BPS.
| Course | Audience | Duration | Level | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT Practitioner Certification | Psychologists & therapists | 12 weeks | Advanced | $349 |
| Trauma & EMDR Therapy Mastery | Psychologists & therapists | 16 weeks | Advanced | $449 |
| Couples & Family Therapy Diploma | Psychologists & therapists | 10 weeks | Intermediate | $299 |
| Neuropsychology: Brain & Behavior | Psychologists & therapists | 14 weeks | Advanced | $399 |
| Positive Psychology: Science of Happiness | Everyone | 6 weeks | Beginner | $129 |
| Understanding Anxiety & Depression | Everyone | 8 weeks | Beginner | $149 |
3. Courses for clients
These courses are designed for anyone seeking personal growth and psychological well-being. No prior knowledge of psychology is required — just a willingness to learn and apply evidence-based tools to everyday life.
| # | Course | Duration | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anxiety Management: Practical Tools for Everyday Life | 6 weeks | Reduce worry, avoidance, tension and emotional overwhelm using CBT-based techniques. | $129 |
| 2 | Emotional Regulation: Managing Strong Feelings | 6 weeks | Understand emotions and respond without impulsivity or suppression. DBT-informed skills training. | $129 |
| 3 | Boundaries: How to Say No Without Guilt | 4 weeks | Protect personal limits and communicate needs assertively. Practical scripts and exercises. | $89 |
| 4 | Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence | 6 weeks | Reduce self-criticism and develop a more stable sense of self-worth through cognitive restructuring. | $129 |
| 5 | Understanding Your Attachment Style | 5 weeks | Explore how attachment affects intimacy, jealousy, conflict and partner choice. Based on Bowlby & Ainsworth. | $109 |
| 6 | Healing the Inner Child | 6 weeks | Recognise how unmet childhood needs influence adult emotions and relationships. Schema therapy approach. | $129 |
| 7 | Healthy Relationships: Breaking Codependent Patterns | 5 weeks | Distinguish love from self-sacrifice, control and emotional dependency. Build interdependent partnerships. | $109 |
| 8 | Stress Management and Burnout Prevention | 4 weeks | Recognise chronic stress and restore energy, balance and sustainable routines. Evidence-based recovery. | $89 |
| 9 | Overcoming Procrastination and Building Lasting Habits | 5 weeks | Work with avoidance, motivation and consistent behavioural change. Behavioural activation techniques. | $109 |
| 10 | Psychological Trauma and Recovery | 8 weeks | Understand triggers, trauma responses and evidence-based paths to recovery. Trauma-informed psychoeducation. | $149 |
4. Psychology encyclopedia
The PsyDept Encyclopedia is a free, peer-reviewed knowledge base covering every major field of psychology. Articles range from introductory overviews to in-depth technical references suitable for practicing clinicians.
| Field | Key topics | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychology | DSM-5-TR classification, differential diagnosis, psychotherapy integration | 340+ |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Beck's model, REBT, DBT, ACT, schema therapy, behavioral activation | 280+ |
| Neuropsychology | Cognitive assessment, fMRI, EEG, neurodegenerative disorders, rehabilitation | 210+ |
| Developmental Psychology | Piaget, Vygotsky, attachment theory, lifespan development, adolescence | 190+ |
| Trauma & PTSD | Acute stress disorder, complex PTSD, EMDR, somatic experiencing, dissociation | 175+ |
| Psychoanalysis | Freud, Jung, object relations, self psychology, transference-focused therapy | 160+ |
| Social Psychology | Conformity, obedience, group dynamics, prejudice, social cognition | 150+ |
| Positive Psychology | Well-being theory, flow, resilience, gratitude interventions, character strengths | 130+ |
5. Subscription plans
PsyDept offers three subscription tiers. All plans include full encyclopedia access. The Professional and Institution plans include course access and CE/CPD certification.
| Plan | Monthly | Course access | Certificates | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Learner | $19/mo | Beginner courses only | — | Personal growth, curious minds |
| Professional | $49/mo | All courses included | ✓ CE/CPD credits | Therapists, coaches, clinicians |
| Institution | $99/mo | Up to 20 team members | ✓ CE/CPD credits | Clinics, universities, hospitals |
6. Student testimonials
"The CBT certification program completely transformed my practice. The curriculum is rigorous, evidence-based, and immediately applicable. I saw results with clients within weeks."
"I took the Positive Psychology course as someone with no background — just curiosity. It changed how I approach life. The encyclopedia is a goldmine I use almost daily."
"The EMDR course gave me confidence to work with complex trauma cases. The encyclopedia articles on trauma are reference-grade. This platform is now essential for our clinic's professional development."
7. Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are certificates recognized? | Yes. CE/CPD credits are recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). |
| Is the encyclopedia really free? | Yes. All 2,400+ encyclopedia articles are free to read without a subscription. We believe psychological knowledge should be accessible to everyone. |
| Can I cancel anytime? | Yes. All plans are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. Cancel anytime from your account dashboard. |
| Do you offer refunds? | We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, contact support for a full refund. |
| Who writes the encyclopedia? | Articles are written by practicing psychologists and academic researchers. Each article undergoes peer review before publication and is updated as research evolves. |
8. See also
- Course catalogue — full list of 80+ psychology courses
- Encyclopedia index — browse all 2,400+ articles by topic
- Instructor directory — meet the psychologists behind PsyDept
- CE/CPD information — accreditation details by country
- Research bibliography — sources and references used across the platform