Unlock Your Potential with Psychology and Sociology Courses for Curious Learners
Unlock Your Potential with Psychology and Sociology Courses for Curious Learners
Ready to explore the world of human
behavior, society, and academic success?
Join our interactive courses today!
Discover a range of engaging courses designed for learners of all ages, with flexible options available.
Online courses with Tonya Russell
Whether you’re a curious teen, a lifelong learner, or a student wanting to strengthen your academic skills, there’s a course here for you. These thoughtfully designed online courses make psychology and sociology accessible, engaging, and relevant. Perfect for homeschoolers, exam preparation, or anyone who’s simply fascinated by human behaviour and society.
Term Four Online Courses With Tonya
Curious Minds Learn
Psychology & Sociology for curious teens and thoughtful learners (12+)
Enrolments are now open for Term 4, and I’m so excited to share what we’re exploring this season. These small-group online courses are designed to stretch thinking, build confidence, and help students truly understand how people and societies work.
Psychology Courses
Cambridge IGCSE Psychology: Motivation & Needs
A 10-week Cambridge IGCSE Psychology programme taught in two 5-week modules. Students can enrol in either module separately, with or without tutorials, or complete the full programme with tutorials at a discounted rate.
Module 1
What Makes Us Want to Learn and Achieve?
Module 2
Drivers & Barriers of Motivation to Exercise
Mondays, 2:30pm NZT
Dates: 12 October - 9 November
Wednesdays, 11:30am NZT
Dates: 18 November - 16 December
Optional IGCSE Tutorials
Students can add the Friday IGCSE tutorials to either module for extra support with:
- Cambridge-style exam questions
- exam technique
- revision
- applying psychological concepts
- feedback and guidance
NZ$100 per 5-week module
Complete Programme
Both 5-week modules
+ tutorials for both modules
Main Pricing
Psychodynamic Psychology: The Freud Series
An Introduction to Freud (3 Weeks)
Inside the Mind: Foundation Module
Explore Freud’s psychodynamic approach through a focused three-week module. Students will examine Freud’s model of the mind, including the conscious, pre-conscious and unconscious, the id, ego and superego, and defence mechanisms.
The series begins with Inside the Mind, which introduces the key ideas students need before moving into the application modules.
Inside the Mind is the foundation module for the Freud Series. Further three-week application modules will follow, with dates and complete course details coming soon.
Content across the series is aligned with the Cambridge IGCSE Psychology syllabus. 14yrs+
Explore Freud’s psychodynamic approach through a focused three-week module. Students will examine Freud’s model of the mind, including the conscious, pre-conscious and unconscious, the id, ego and superego, and defence mechanisms.
The series begins with Inside the Mind, which introduces the key ideas students need before moving into the application modules.
Inside the Mind is the foundation module for the Freud Series. Further three-week application modules will follow, with dates and complete course details coming soon.
Content across the series is aligned with the Cambridge IGCSE Psychology syllabus. 14yrs+
Details
- Course: IGCSE Inside the Mind: An Introduction to Freud
- Course Dates: 23 November to 7 December
- Day: Monday
- Time: 2:30 PM (NZT)
- Cost: NZ$75
- Perfect for beginners or anyone curious about psychology.
All sessions are recorded, and replays are available.
VIEW COURSE & ENROL
Her Story. Your Research.
A Self-Directed Research Project
(5 Weeks)
HerStory: Your Research | A Self-Directed Research Project
Choose a woman whose story interests you and explore her life through a sociological lens.
Using a guided research framework, students will apply concepts such as social norms, socialisation, family structure, stigma and social change to investigate how society and culture shaped their chosen woman’s experiences.
The project includes a group launch, an independent research period with one individual meeting, a group check-in and a final HerStory showcase. Students can present their research in a format that suits them.
No previous HerStory course is required.
Thursdays: 17 September, 15 October and 22 October
Plus one individual meeting during the independent study period.
Details
- Course: HerStory: Your Research | A Self-Directed Research Project
- Course Dates: 17 September to 22 October
- Day: Thursday
- Time: 11:00 AM (NZT)
- Cost: NZ$125
- Includes one individual meeting during the independent study period.
All group sessions are recorded, and replays are available.
VIEW COURSE & ENROL
Sociology
HerStories:
Into
the Jungle with
Jane Goodall
(8 Weeks)
Step into the wild and explore the world through the life of Jane Goodall — the scientist, explorer. This is not just a course about animals or the environment; it’s about the societies we build, the beliefs we hold, and the courage it takes to question them.
From a curious girl in 1930s England to a groundbreaking researcher in the forests of Tanzania, from scientist to global activist. We follow Jane’s journey as she challenges gender expectations, scientific traditions, and global attitudes toward nature.
Each week, you’ll step into a new chapter of her life, exploring sociological ideas about identity, deviance, observation, activism, and social change — while reflecting on your own place in the world.
This eight-week adventure is designed for curious teens who love people, ideas, and the planet. Get ready to explore the jungle of society itself — where curiosity sparks courage, and one person’s voice can inspire global change.
Details
- Course: HerStories: Into the Jungle with Jane Goodall
- Course Dates: 29 October to 17 December
- Day: Thursday
- Time: 11:00 AM (NZT)
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Cost: NZ$199
All sessions are recorded, and replays are available.
VIEW COURSE & ENROL
Applied Psychology
Taylor Swift:
Reading Between the Lyrics
A Three-Week Mini-Course
Taylor Swift: Reading Between the Lyrics
A three-week short course exploring the hidden meanings in Taylor Swift’s lyrics.
Together, we’ll unpack idioms, familiar sayings, metaphors, cultural references and clever wordplay, looking at what these expressions actually mean and how Taylor changes, extends or twists them in her songs.
We’ll explore songs from across different eras, looking closely at the language she uses and discovering what is really happening between the lines.
3-week course | Ages 11+
Taylor Swift: Reading Between the Lyrics
A three-week short course exploring the hidden meanings in Taylor Swift’s lyrics.
Together, we’ll unpack idioms, familiar sayings, metaphors, cultural references and clever wordplay, looking at what these expressions actually mean and how Taylor changes, extends or twists them in her songs.
We’ll explore songs from across different eras, looking closely at the language she uses and discovering what is really happening between the lines.
3-week course | Ages 11+
Details
- Course: Taylor Swift: Reading Between the Lyrics
- Course Dates: 25 November to 9 December
- Day: Wednesday
- Time: 11:30 AM (NZT)
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Cost: NZ$67
All sessions are recorded, and replays are available.
VIEW COURSE & ENROL
Master Your Mind:
Master Your Mind: Exploring Identity
(6 Weeks)
Are you the same person with your friends, your family and online? Which version is the real you, and who gets to decide?
In this six-week course, we explore the fascinating and sometimes confusing world of identity. We investigate why we sometimes try on different styles, explore different interests and discover different versions of ourselves.
Why do some labels stick while others do not?
How can other people’s expectations affect who we become?
Through intriguing questions, real-life scenarios and lively discussions, students will explore what has shaped them, what matters to them and who they might become next.
6-week course | Ages 12+
Are you the same person with your friends, your family and online? Which version is the real you, and who gets to decide?
In this six-week course, we explore the fascinating and sometimes confusing world of identity. We investigate why we sometimes try on different styles, explore different interests and discover different versions of ourselves.
Why do some labels stick while others do not?
How can other people’s expectations affect who we become?
Through intriguing questions, real-life scenarios and lively discussions, students will explore what has shaped them, what matters to them and who they might become next.
6-week course | Ages 12+
Details
- Start Date: 14 October
- Day: Wednesday
- Time: 10:00 AM NZT
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Dates: 14 October – 18 November
- Cost: NZ$150
Who is Ophelia?
A Three-Week Curious Minds
Mini-Course
Follow the hidden trail of Easter eggs left by writers, artists, and musicians — from Taylor Swift to Shakespeare to the world’s most painted Ophelia. Students learn to decode hidden meaning in lyrics, language, and art while developing close-looking, careful listening, and powerful critical-thinking skills.
Details
- Course: Who Is Ophelia?
- Course Dates: 25 November to 9 December
- Day: Wednesday
- Time: 10:00 AM (NZT)
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Cost: NZ$67
All sessions are recorded, and replays are available.
VIEW COURSE & ENROLPrevious & Returning Courses
Psychology Through Different Lenses
(6 Weeks)
Understand human behaviour through the different lenses of psychology.
In this course, students explore Developmental, Social, Cognitive, Behaviourism, and Humanism — learning how each perspective approaches human behaviour and why multiple explanations matter. After all, in psychology, there is never just one explanation, only different ways of seeing the same person.
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC
- Cost: TBC
- Perfect for beginners or anyone curious about psychology.
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Master Your Mind:
Outsmart Your Thinking Traps (6 Weeks)
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Our brains make quick judgments all the time. It is what they are designed to do, but they are not always accurate.
In this course, we will explore common thinking traps such as:
- 🧠 Jumping to conclusions
- 🧠 Catastrophising
- 🧠 Mind reading
- 🧠 Black-and-white thinking
- 🧠 Assumptions
- 🧠 Confirmation bias
Students will learn how to identify these traps, question their thinking, look for evidence, and make better decisions.
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Our brains make quick judgments all the time. It is what they are designed to do, but they are not always accurate.
In this course, we will explore common thinking traps such as:
- 🧠 Jumping to conclusions
- 🧠 Catastrophising
- 🧠 Mind reading
- 🧠 Black-and-white thinking
- 🧠 Assumptions
- 🧠 Confirmation bias
Students will learn how to identify these traps, question their thinking, look for evidence, and make better decisions.
Details
- 🔷 Start Date: TBC
- 🔷 Day: TBC
- 🔷 Time: TBC
- 🔷 Duration: TBC
- 🔷 Cost: TBC
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Introduction to Psychology:
The Three Big Questions (6 Weeks)
Understanding human behaviour begins by understanding the three big dilemmas within psychology.
Explore questions like:
Nature & Nurture: What shapes us? genes or environment?
Continuity & Change: Do we stay the same, or do we change over time?
Universality & Individuality:Are we all alike, or are we unique?
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC (NZT)
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Master Your Mind:
CBT Strategies for Success & Learning
(6 Weeks)
Practical tools from CBT and neuroscience to support focus, motivation and confidence.
Students learn how to:
🧠 Overcome procrastination
🧠 Improve time management
🧠 Reduce stress and self-doubt
🧠 Build habits that actually last
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC (NZT)
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Master Your Mind:
The Habit Edition
Your Companion for Real, Lasting Change
If you enrolled in Master Your Mind in Term One, this is the natural next step.
In this 6-week course, students will:
🧠 Identify the habits shaping their results — both helpful and unhelpful
🧠 Focus on one key habit to build consistency
🧠 Learn practical tools like habit stacking, micro-habits, and environmental cues
🧠 Work through resistance and shift unhelpful patterns
🧠 Build simple systems and accountability
🧠 Create momentum that carries into everyday life
If you missed Term One, this is a great place to start — and not one to miss.
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
PSYCHology
Experiments that Changed Psychology
(6 Weeks)
This course explores the classic experiments that shaped modern psychology.
Students will learn about the research behind these studies, discuss their findings, and reflect on what they reveal about human behaviour .
Each session will also invite students to consider the question, "If you had been part of this experiment, what do you think you would have done?"
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Time Traveling with Vivienne Westwood
Through the Looking Glass
(6 Weeks)
Explore history, fashion, and societal change through the life of Vivienne Westwood, the designer who redefined fashion and activism. This course is for curious teens and anyone interested in fashion, culture, and history.
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC (NZT)
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Sociology
Exploring Life Through Sociological Imagination
(4 Weeks)
Think brushing your teeth is just a habit? In this course, students discover how even the smallest parts of daily life are shaped by bigger social forces. We learn to look at the world through three powerful lenses: • Micro — personal choices, identity, relationships • Meso — schools, families, media, institutions • Macro — culture, economy, history, power This is where psychology meets society — and suddenly everyday life starts making sense in a whole new way.
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC (NZT)
- Duration: 4 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$99
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Elizabeth Taylor
Through the Looking Glass
(6 Weeks)
Look beyond the glamour and discover the psychology and sociology behind a global icon. Using Elizabeth Taylor’s life as a case study, students explore identity, fame, beauty, power, addiction, activism, and reinvention — and how individuals are shaped by culture and, in turn, reshape it. Topics include the beauty myth, the four types of capital, media representation, gendered expectations, and the psychology of coping and resilience. We also explore how Taylor transformed symbolic fame into economic power and challenged stigma during the AIDS crisis. This is not about memorising films — it’s about learning to think critically and understanding how identity forms at the intersection of psychology, society, and culture. Designed for tweens and teens who love big ideas told through human stories.
Details
- Start Date: TBC
- Day: TBC
- Time: TBC (NZT)
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Cost: NZ$150
All calls are recorded, and replays are available.
Waitlist
If you are interested in this course, please email tonya@yogacircle.co.nz to be added to the waitlist.
Additional Academic Support
Academic Writing Skills
The Perfect Companion Course
This self-paced 4-module course helps students develop essential writing skills for academic success. Perfect for high school students, university-bound learners, or anyone looking to sharpen their writing.
All calls are recorded, and replays are available
Details:
- Cost: NZ$99
- Self-paced course
- Includes modules on Concept Journaling, Paragraph Writing, and Essay Construction.
All courses are taught by Tonya Russell, with over 20 years experience teaching psychology and sociology. Every session is recorded, so there’s no pressure to attend live, students can return to lessons anytime. Students who enrol in Introduction to Psychology or Exploring Life Through Sociological Imagination courses are welcome to repeat the live round for free in future terms this year.
One-on-One Tutoring Section: Personalized Learning Support
Need extra help? We offer one-on-one tutoring sessions to ensure you get the support you need to succeed in your courses. Our tutoring is available at $70/hour and tailored to your individual needs.
What Students are Saying About the Courses
I am here to help you on your learning journey. Have questions or need more information? Feel free to get in touch!
Contact Me
FAQ
Have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common queries about our courses:
What if I can’t attend all calls?
No problem, all calls are recorded and replays are available for you to watch at your convenience
Can these courses be taken in the evenings?
Yes, some courses will be offered for evenings depending on interest. Contact me to express your preference!
What age group are these courses suitable for?
Courses are designed for a range of ages from teens (13+) to adults. If you have any concerns – just ask and we will make sure it is age appropriate for your teen.