Welcome to Manchester Gestalt Centre

Psychotherapy | Training | Community
Since 1988

A warm, professional and inclusive environment offering psychotherapy, supervision and training grounded in the Gestalt approach.


Whether you’re seeking personal growth, therapeutic support, or professional development, MGC is a place to explore meaningful change through authentic human contact.

View our upcoming foundation training starting in Autumn 2026

Next intake for our GPTI-accredited 4-year psychotherapy training is 2026/27

Delivered by professionals with decades of experience

What we offer

MGC is a collective of experienced Gestalt practitioners who have worked together for over 30 years. We offer:

Our approach is relational, experiential, and deeply respectful of each person’s lived experience.

Meet our team

Joy Appleby, Dip. GPTI

UKCP Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and Supervisor

Catherine Havard

UKCP Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist, a Training and Supervising Member of The Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute (UK).

Peter Philippson, m.Sc.

Honorary Member of the Gestalt Psychotherapy & Training Institute UK, a founder member of Manchester Gestalt Centre, Full Member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, Senior Trainer for GITA (Slovenia), faculty member, IpsiG (Turin), advisory board member, Center for Somatic Studies, founder member of IG-FEST

Danny Porter, Dip. GPTI

Experienced UKCP registered Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor

Alessandra Merizzi

Italian Clinical Psychologist (OPM), Gestalt Psychotherapist (GPTI, EAGT, SIPG), with post-qualification Master diplomas in Psychology of Ageing and in Clinical Neuroscience, and UCLAN certificate in Supervision for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Shirley Summers MSc., Dip Psych, Cert.Ed., Dip Couns. UKCP reg.

Training and supervising member of Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute.

Upcoming training opportunities

Foundation Training in Gestalt Therapy

A one-year part-time course introducing the principles of Gestalt therapy – ideal for those exploring a career in psychotherapy or seeking deeper self-understanding. Applications now open for 2026/2027.

Starts October every year – next intake 2026/2027


A four-year part-time, professionally accredited training pathway leading to UKCP registration. Suitable for those with previous counselling or psychology experience.