Accredited Training in Gestalt Psychotherapy

next intake: 2026/2027
information below is for 2025 entry

A UKCP-Track professional training

  • 3 years core training (Years 2 - 4) + post-training accreditation phase
  • Accreditation: GPTI Diploma or Advanced Diploma
  • Professional Registration: UKCP via PCIPC or HIPC Colleges
  • Cohort Size: Minimum 7, maximum 14 trainees

This in-depth training pathway offers a rigorous, relational and experiential route to becoming a Gestalt psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic counsellor. 

 

Taught by an experienced team and accredited by GPTI, it leads to UKCP registration and includes over 600 hours of core training.

Who is it for?

This three-year programme is for candidates who have already completed the one-year foundation training or equivalent.

Course format (2026 - 2027)

  • 6× 3-day weekends per year (Fri–Sun)
  • 2× residential intensives per year (4 nights each)
  • Weekly therapy and supervision required
  • Coursework includes essays, case studies and transcripts
  • Tutorials and learning support provided throughout
  • Dates for 2026/2027:
  • September 25th to 27th
  • November 27th to 29th
  • January 29th to 31st
  • March 5th to 7th
  • April 9th to 13th (residential)
  • June 4th to 6th
  • July 30th to August 3rd (residential)

Curriculum highlights

  • Gestalt theory and field approach
  • Dialogic relationship & embodiment
  • Ethics & diversity
  • Clinical readiness & professional identity

Client work & supervision


From Year 2 onward (subject to readiness), trainees begin clinical practice with clients.

MGC supports you in:
Finding suitable placements
Joining supervision groups (group & individual)
Understanding ethical frameworks and safeguarding

Supervision continues throughout and beyond the training. You must log a minimum of 450 clinical hours and 150 supervision hours to qualify for UKCP registration.

Assessment & assignments

Support is offered throughout, including writing groups and tutorials. Assessment is both continuous and cumulative, including:

  • 2–3 essays per year (3000–3500 words)
  • One full case study (5000 words + transcript)
  • End-of-year reviews and tutorials
  • Clinical skills observation and trainer feedback
  • Development journal and peer feedback

Progression to accreditation

After completing the 4-year training, you may apply for:

  • PCIPC award in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
  • Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy (via HIPC route)

You will be supported through:

  • Extended case study & oral exam preparation
  • A required mental health placement
  • Final reviews with your tutor and accreditation consultant

Course leaders & trainers

Your learning will be guided by experienced trainers from the MGC Training Team.
The trainers are supported by Belinda Harris - Academic and EAGT board member, Carole Smith - Senior lecturer in counselling, UKCP supervisor and Dawn Gwilt – Therapist, supervisor and group facilitator

Danny Porter
Lead Trainer

Experienced UKCP registered Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor

View full profile

Joe Appleby

UKCP Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and Supervisor

View full profile

Catherine Havard

UKCP Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist

View full profile

Course fees (2025 Entry)

  • £4,000/year (Years 2–4) if paid in full
  • £4,200/year if paid in instalments
  • Fees include all training workshops & residentials (incl. accommodation & food), tutorials, assignment marking and use of MGC library and facilities.
  • Not included: personal therapy, supervision, books, GPTI membership (£110/year), insurance, or additional accreditation expenses.

Entry requirements

You should have completed a foundation year in Gestalt therapy (MGC or equivalent), experience working in a helping role (paid or voluntary), basic counselling skills, commitment to self-development and weekly therapy.

 

Applicants from diverse personal, educational and professional backgrounds are warmly welcomed. Accreditation of prior learning (APL) may be considered.

How to apply

  • Please email admin@mgc.org.uk with your CV, a cover letter detailing your background, interest in Gestalt, and how you meet the entry criteria as well as two references (not from friends, family, or your therapist)
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
  • Successful candidates will confirm their place with a £500 deposit.
  • Group size is capped at 12, so early applications are encouraged.
Download here

9For more information, please download the Accredited Course Prospectus 2026-2029

Download the prospectucs

Catherine Havard

Catherine is a UKCP Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and is a Training and Supervising Member of The Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute (UK) and a member of the GPTI Training Standards Committee. 

 

She delivers training on the Foundation Year and Diploma training at Manchester Gestalt Centre. Catherine works in private practice in rural Wales as a psychotherapist working with both couples and individuals, and as a supervisor working with both qualified and therapists in training. 

 

She has had previous experience of offering short term counselling within Primary Care in the NHS. When not working, Catherine likes to be active in the outdoors.