Programme Leader: Dr Diane Hodgson 

Validated by Middlesex University

Please note: Should you wish to apply for this course, you will need to attend an Introductory Workshop before completing and submitting a formal application. For more information, please select the ‘Introductory Workshop’ option from the sidebar on the left of your screen.

A 5 year part-time training leading to a Diploma and MSc degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy, which will provide you with automatic registration with UKCP and a qualification to practice as a psychotherapist.

The Gestalt programme provides a thorough theoretical base to Contemporary Gestalt therapy alongside a scrupulous process of experiential and clinical training. Whilst the professional development of competent practitioners is the focus of the training, creativity, experimentation and enjoyment are also important.

The programme is based on a balance between theory, experience and practice. Students are encouraged to share responsibility for their growth, learning and some of the design of their own training. The teaching seeks to model:

• the dialogic relationship
• the phenomenological meeting between students and tutors
• openness to difference and self awareness
• responsibility for the relationship between person and environment

The overall aim of the programme is to support students to become competent, reflexive Gestalt practitioners who can take a research approach, have an ability to integrate theory and practice and can work effectively in a variety of settings.

For news, and to receive additional information on Gestalt visit gestalt.org/news

Aims of the Course

All of our training programmes emphasise attention to individual learning needs, the development and maintenance of high standards of practice based o­n well-established theoretical models, and the importance of an ethical framework.

We see the aims of our training programme as follows:

• To facilitate a thorough and experiential knowledge of Gestalt therapy including basic philosophy such as the theory of phenomenology, dialogic relationship, existentialism and field theory.

• To provide in-depth understanding of Gestalt therapy theory and practice.

• To emphasise self-directed learning and self-support in order to establish high standards of competence.

• To incorporate high standards of competence and ethics in Gestalt therapy practice.

• To facilitate an understanding of Gestalt within the context of other psychotherapies and its potential contribution to political and social issues.

• To be aware of current research and be able to take a research approach to clinical practice.

• To support the student to become a competent, professional psychotherapist.

Accreditation and Recognition

Accreditation requirements

• Introductory workshop 14 hours.
• Four Years of training of 560 hours (each training weekend at Metanoia counts to 140 hours a year).
• Final Dissertation Year, 6 days on weekends
• Supervision: 150 hours.
• Completion of written work.
• Personal weekly individual and/or group psychotherapy is required. (The majority of this must be with an accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist).
• Mental Health Familiarisation placement (unless there is evidence of previous relevant experience).
• Client hours: 450.

These are minimum requirements and individuals may need to undertake extra hours of training, supervision or personal therapy, as advised by their Academic Consultant, in order to reach their own level of readiness to pass the exam and become a qualified Gestalt Psychotherapist.

Training or Supervision hours from other recognised programmes, may count towards the Diploma or the MSc and individuals may APL into the training at the training at the level appropriate to their training and experience.

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by Metanoia Institute awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.

Recognition

The attainment of the Metanoia Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy confers recognition by UKCP.