Practitioner License in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD)

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Key Information

Field of Study

  • Practitioner License in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD)

Duration

  • 6 Days (minimum 80 hours assessed clinical practice)

Start Dates

  • 21/10/2026
  • 25/11/2026
  • 09/12/2026
  • 15/02/2027

Teaching Institution

  • Metanoia Institute

Awarding Institution

  • Middlesex University

Accrediting Professional Body

  • NHS; BACP*

Location

  • Hybrid (In-person at Metanoia Institute and Online)

The Practitioner Licence in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD) is a pioneering, NICE-approved therapy that is an NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) licensing programme integrated into NHS mental health services. It focuses on addressing emotional and intrapersonal issues underlying depression, such as low self-esteem and self-criticism. This therapy aids clients in exploring, understanding, and reinterpreting their feelings to foster psychological and behavioural change.

The programme is divided into two Modules. Module 1 consists of 6 days of education, organised into 5 days of training followed by a 1-day follow-up session, typically held 3 months later. Teaching combines didactic and experiential methods, with a 20-minute counselling session assessed via videotape according to the PCE-CfD competence framework.

Module 2 involves a period of assessed clinical practice with bespoke PCE-CfD supervision as a part of the training, to build at least 80 hours of supervised PCE-CfD counselling and the successful submission of 4 audio recordings of sessions. These recordings are assessed using the validated PCEPS tool, with two recordings needed from sessions after the 10th session of PCE-CfD counselling. Bespoke PCE-CfD supervision is provided throughout.

Course Philosophy

Key Benefits:

  • Understand NHS environment requirements.
  • Deepen the connection between research, theory, and practice.
  • Focus on effective person-centred practices for depression.
  • Learn to work briefly and evaluate suicide and self-harm risks.
  • Utilise client self-report outcome measures.
  • Engage with emotional processes within a competence framework.

Supporting Information

Teaching Methods:

Students gain knowledge, understanding, and skills through experiential and reflexive engagement with concepts and models. Teaching methods include group exercises, discussions, and practical application of theory. The programme is supported by work-based learning from supervised clinical practice, enabling students to integrate subject and professional knowledge, skills, and behaviours to meet course learning outcomes and professional body competences.

As some learning will take place online, students will need access to a laptop (or equivalent device), internet, and a quiet, private space in order to participate in the live, online learning components of the programme.

 

Clinical Placements, Personal Therapy and Supervision:

After the initial 6-day (5 + 1) training programme, participants undertake assessed clinical practice comprising a minimum of 80 hours of supervised PCE-CfD counselling. Four audio recordings of sessions with different clients must be submitted and assessed using the PCEPS tool. Two recordings should be from sessions after the 10th session of PCE-CfD counselling. Bespoke PCE-CfD supervision is provided throughout.

Alumni Path

Key Contacts

Denton French

Head of Programme

Email: denton.french@metanoia.ac.uk

Course Dates

2026 Practitioner Training Dates

October 2026 (5-day block)

Date Time
Wednesday 21 October 2026 10am – 5pm
Thursday 22 October 2026 10am – 5pm
Friday 23 October 2026 10am – 5pm
Monday 26 October 2026 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 27 October 2026 10am – 5pm

Follow-up session: TBC

November 2026 (6-day block)

Date Time
Wednesday 25 November 2026 10am – 5pm
Thursday 26 November 2026 10am – 5pm
Friday 27 November 2026 10am – 1pm
Monday 30 November 2026 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 1 December 2026 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 2 December 2026 10am – 1pm

Follow-up session: TBC

December 2026 (6-day block)

Date Time
Wednesday 9 December 2026 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10 December 2026 10am – 5pm
Friday 22 December 2026 10am – 1pm
Monday 14 December 2026 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 15 December 2026 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 16 December 2026 10am – 1pm

Follow-up session: Wednesday 17 March 2027

January 2027 (6-day block)

Date Time
Wednesday 20 January 2027 10am – 5pm
Thursday 21 January 2027 10am – 5pm
Friday 22 January 2027 10am – 1pm
Monday 25 January 2027 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 26 January 2027 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 27 January 2027 10am – 1pm

Follow-up session: Wednesday 21 April 2027

February 2027 – 1st Cohort (5-day block)

Date Time
Monday 15 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 16 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 17 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Thursday 18 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Friday 19 February 2027 10am – 5pm

Follow-up session: Friday 16 April 2027

February 2027 – 2nd Cohort (5-day block)

Date Time
Monday 22 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 23 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 24 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Thursday 25 February 2027 10am – 5pm
Friday 26 February 2027 10am – 5pm

Follow-up session: TBC

Entry Requirements

Essential Qualifications and Professional Status:

    • Diploma in person-centred or humanistic counselling or psychotherapy
    • BACP Counsellor/Psychotherapy accreditation or equivalent
  • Essential – Experience:
    • Minimum of two years post-qualification experience providing brief counselling to clients with common mental health problems, particularly depression.
    • A supporting statement is also requested from both a supervisor and line manager at application.
  • Desirable – Qualifications and Professional Status:
    • Postgraduate qualification in person-centred or humanistic counselling or psychotherapy
  • Essential – Other:
    • Opportunity to undertake 80 hours of client practice with depressed clients.
    • Support of Line Manager to participate
    • Support of Supervisor to participate

This programme is commissioned by NHS England for the NHS Talking Therapies high-intensity counselling workforce but can also be self-funded for appropriately qualified applicants.

English Language Requirements:

  • 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: This programme is offered as both online live and blended learning

Fees and Funding

£3,400

How to Apply