Course Overview:

The Doctorate of Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DPsych) is a unique post-qualification training programme offered collaboratively by Middlesex University and Metanoia Institute. This programme is designed for accredited therapists, counsellors, and related professionals aiming to develop advanced research skills while deepening their practice. Delivered entirely online, the course allows students to conceptualise, design, carry out, and report original research related to their professional practice. Successful completion leads to the award of a DPsych, equivalent to a PhD, and provides a robust foundation for publication and further professional development.

Modules:

• Stage 1
• Introduction to Research Methods and Ethics
• Writing and Presentation Skills
• Thesis Proposal Development
• Stage 2:
• Advanced Research Methods
• Ethics Approval and Data Collection
• Stage 3:
• Thesis Completion
• Submission of a 50,000-word monograph
• Publishable Research Paper

Teaching Methods:

The programme includes a combination of lectures, seminars, research supervision, peer presentations, and workshops. Students will engage in reflexive practice and research projects, supported by individual and group supervision throughout their studies.

Who is it for?

The programme takes between three and seven years to complete and is aimed at accredited therapists, counsellors, counselling psychologists and suitably qualified practitioners from related professions. The programme draws on extensive theoretical and practical resources to enable the student to understand, conduct and publish research at a professionally acceptable level. Generally, a research topic selected by the student should relate to their professional practice/experience. The programme encourages theoretical and methodological diversity and aims to generate quality research projects that are relevant to the real-life issues in therapeutic/counselling practice.

A Practice-Based Research Approach

The focus of the programme is on utilising students’ knowledge and experience as the starting point and ultimate motivation of their research. In other words, the student is given considerable latitude in arriving at a (doctoral-level) research question as long as it relates to their area of practice. The latter is interpreted broadly so that the student is constrained only by the quality of the proposed research and its viability. One factor that makes this type of research both challenging and rewarding is reflexivity—the ability to develop or demonstrate awareness of one’s own motives, challenges, limitations and mistakes. While the ability to reflect is a critical quality in therapeutic practice, the programme’s explicit focus on reflexivity enables the student to approach it analytically and explicitly. This in turn results in a better understanding of one’s own impact on the research and therapy processes.

Course Summary:

• Field of Study: Education (Teaching and Counselling)
• Duration: 3-7years
• Start Dates: October 2025
• Teaching Institution: Metanoia Institute
• Awarding Institution: Middlesex University
• Accrediting Professional Body: UKCP
• Entry Requirements:
• English Language Requirements:

• A first degree in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, or a related discipline, with a minimum of a 2:1 classification.
• Accreditation with UKCP, BACP, BPS, or an international equivalent.
• English language proficiency for non-native speakers: IELTS minimum 7.0 (with no component below 6.5).
• Applicants whose first language is not English must meet Metanoia Institute’s English language requirements for undergraduate applicants. We accept IELTS or equivalent qualifications as outlined in our admissions criteria. For specific requirements and accepted scores, please refer to the Metanoia Institute website.

• Location: Online

Contact for Further Information:

• Head of Programme:
  Dr Cristina Harnagea
  Email: cristina.harnagea@metanoia.ac.uk

• Academic Coordinator contact information:
  dpsychadmin@metanoia.ac.uk

This is a Middlesex University programme and qualification, jointly developed, delivered and assessed by Middlesex and Metanoia Institute and quality assured by Middlesex University. This programme is a collaborative research initiative between Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University. 

Middlesex University Programme Spec AY 2023

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At Metanoia, we are committed to empowering the next generation of professionals in counselling and psychotherapy. This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and achieve your career aspirations in a supportive learning environment.

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ℹ️ Updated 14 Dec 2024