Doctor of Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DPsych)

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Key Information

Field of Study

  • Doctor of Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DPsych)

Duration

  • 3-7 years

Start Date

  • 01/09/2026

Teaching Institution

  • Metanoia Institute

Awarding Institution

  • Middlesex University

Location

  • Online live learning

The Doctor 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.

Course Philosophy

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.

Supporting Information

Who is this programme 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.

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.

 

Teaching Dates

Academic Year 2026/27

Semester one: 14.09.2026 – 12.02.2027 (Reading week: 26-30.10.2026)

Semester two: 22.02.2027 – 02.07.2027 (Reading week: 31.05-04.06.2027)

 

Breaks

Winter Break: 14.12.2026 – 04.01.2027

Spring Break: 22.03 – 02.04.2027

 

Teaching Schedule

Stage 1 (Year 1 Full-time and Years 1 & 2 Part-time)

  • Teaching Day: Every Tuesday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

 

Stage 2 (From Year 2 Full-time and Year 3 Part-time)

  • Teaching Day: Every other Thursday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

 

Middlesex University

The programme is validated and quality-assured by Middlesex University.

 

Alumni Path

Graduates contribute to research, supervision, and leadership in psychotherapy, education, and applied mental health fields.

Key Contacts

Dr Cristina Harnagea

Head of Programme

Email cristina.harnagea@metanoia.ac.uk
Cristina is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the BPS and HCPC registered Psychologist. She has worked in NHS, forensic and educational settings and is currently running a private practice in London. Cristina obtained her BSc in Psychology at the University of Westminster and her chartership and PhD at City University London. Before joining Metanoia Institute, she has been a Lecturer in Counselling Psychology at the University of East London, University of Surrey, Kingston University London, Regent’s University London and City University London. She has worked in all the roles associated with counselling psychology training, such as placement coordinator, research supervisor, personal tutor, research coordinator, and programme director and she has supervised and examined numerous doctoral theses. For a number of years, Cristina was a member of the Training Committee in Counselling Psychology (TCCP) of the BPS and has extensive experience in programme design, validation and accreditation processes. Research Interests: Interpersonal psychology, the dynamics of power and closeness in relating behaviour, relating styles, attachment, parental relating and emotional regulation, relating in different roles, social judgement, scale development/questionnaire design, quantitative and qualitative methods.

Course Dates

Academic Year 2026-2027

Semester one: 14.09.2026 – 12.02.2027 Reading week: 26-30.10.2026

Semester two: 22.02.2027 – 02.07.2027 Reading week: 31.05-04.06.2027

 

Breaks

Winter Break: 14.12.2026 – 04.01.2027

Spring Break: 22.03 – 02.04.2027

 

Teaching Schedule

Stage 1 (Year 1 Full-time and Years 1 & 2 Part-time)

Teaching Day: Every Tuesday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

Stage 2 (From Year 2 Full-time and Year 3 Part-time)

Teaching Day: Every other Thursday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

 

Academic Year 2025-2026

Semester one: 23.09.2025 – 03.02.2026 Reading week: 20-24.10.2025

Semester two: 17.02.2026 – 07.07.2026 Reading week: 09-13.02.2026

 

Breaks

Winter Break: 15.12.2025 – 02.01.2026

Spring Break: 30.03 – 13.04.2026

 

Teaching Schedule

Stage 1 (Year 1 Full-time and Years 1 & 2 Part-time)

Teaching Day: Every Tuesday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

Stage 2 (From Year 2 Full-time and Year 3 Part-time)

Teaching Day: Every other Thursday, 10:00 – 14:30 GMT (excluding reading weeks and statutory holidays)

Entry Requirements

  • A first degree in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, or a related discipline, with a minimum of a 2:1 classification.
  • Accreditation with either UKCP, BACP, BPS, etc., or international equivalent.
  • A provisional research proposal of approximately 2,000 words including an introduction to the problem to be researched, a brief literature review concluding with the gap in the literature, a tentative research question, a rationale for the value of the potential findings and implications for practice/services/policy, ideas about potential method/ology, and some relevant bibliographic references.
  • Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited to an interview with the Programme team. They will be expected to discuss their research experience and plans for the doctoral project.
  • We welcome expressions of interest from prospective doctoral candidates who demonstrate critical insight, social awareness, intellectual rigour, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
  • English Language Requirements:
    • English language proficiency for non-native speakers: IELTS minimum 7.0 (with no component below 6.5).
    • For students whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component) is required unless you have a prior higher education qualification taught in English.

Fees and Funding

Annual Course Fees for 2026/2027 – Full Time

  •  £13,500 per year

Annual Course Fees for 2026/2027 – Part Time

  •  £7,350 per year

 

Metanoia Research Scholarship: 25% Funding for Values-Driven Doctoral Impact

Supporting Doctoral Research that advances Inclusion, Responsibility, and Positive Change

Metanoia Institute is pleased to offer a number of Metanoia Research Scholarships – representing a prestigious funding opportunity for applicants to our DPsych programmes.

Each scholarship provides a substantial 25% contribution towards your DPsych tuition fees for the entire duration of your programme. This significant support is awarded to those whose research proposals demonstrate exceptional originality, intellectual rigour, and a clear alignment with Metanoia’s core values.

These scholarships are designed to support doctoral research that reflects our commitment to:

  • Promoting diversity and inclusion within psychotherapy and counselling theory, practice, and research
  • Challenging systemic inequalities in mental health provision and access
  • Strengthening communities through accessible and socially impactful therapeutic work
  • Fostering openness, cultural humility, and innovation in psychological inquiry
  • Encouraging reflective, responsible practice that contributes meaningfully to the profession

We welcome expressions of interest from prospective doctoral candidates whose work demonstrates critical insight, social awareness, and a commitment to personal and professional growth – values that are central to Metanoia’s mission.

Please email your expressions of interest to dpsychscholarships@metanoia.ac.uk

How to Apply

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.

Click the button below to begin your application: