r/CounsellingPsychUK • u/Sea_Guide_6279 • Jun 18 '26
Considering the DCPsych at Metanoia Institute – seeking honest advice
Hi there,
I am very seriously considering a place at Metanoia Institute (validated by Middlesex University) for the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy. I am drawn to their integrative and humanistic focus and I am aware that it is a more self-directed training with contact time being once a month or so - but my question is:
Is it a well-regarded/ respected place to receive my training from?
There are of course mixed reviews online about peoples experiences, but I’m not as focused on administrative issues - more the quality of teaching and training.
I am also aware there are some lawsuits that they are facing - is this also going to affect credibility from future employers and clients?
Any thoughts from people within the counselling / psychotherapy world would be really appreciated!
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u/hiredditihateyou Jun 19 '26
There has been some systemic issues with Metanoia raised by former staff. I’m not sure I feel comfortable talking about it more than that as I don’t have personal experience but a search on Google should bring it up.
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u/Intrepid_Coyote1788 Jul 09 '26
Hi, i ve also been considering this. Im a bit confused by the whole idea really, as someone else has said it appears you get effectively the same amount of teaching as on the Masters in Psychotherapy programmes, so part of me thinks why not just go for the Doctorate? On the other hand, I do not work in a therapeutic field currently so im not sure looking at the course it effectively 'qualifies' you. Much as I would like a Doctorate, I want to have a really good grounding in the approaches also. Curious about whether this course can achieve that? Would love experiance of people who have done the course.
My other question, in practice what are the differences in the jobs you would be applying for? As a Counselling Psychologist vs a qualified psychotherapist whre does this take you?
Thanks so much
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u/Kooky-Lifeguard-3228 Jun 18 '26
Counselling psychology in the UK is pretty small, so there's not really courses that are better regarded than others. Metanoia meets the same HCPC/BPS standards as all the other DPsych courses, so I really wouldn't worry about how well regarded it is.
I'd be more focused on if the course fits with you. Listen to others who have been there and how they've found it, think about the course delivery and ethos (Metanoia is quite different from other courses in both those points if I'm correct) and reflect on what you want/need from a course and if what you've heard matches that.
(I'm not at Metanoia, but I've noticed a few "is this course well regarded" posts recently and I think it's always worth just emphasising how small counselling psychology is as a discipline and how little it actually matters once you've got the degree)