Press Release: PSYCHOTHERAPY EDUCATION
INSTITUTE ACCUSED OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
Immediate Release
Date: 12th of February
2026
One of the leading institutes for the training of
psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors is facing a raft of claims from
former members of staff of victimisation, whistleblowing and constructive
dismissal because they stood up to racism.
The Metanoia Institute in West London has 1,500
students in its undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes.
It claims on its website to be 'known for delivering
relational, high quality, part-time, university-validated and professionally
accredited training in counselling, psychotherapy, counselling psychology, and
related disciplines'. Many of its former students go on to work in NHS
services.
Five former members of professional staff, Dr Eiman
Hussein, Dr Maya Mukamel, Dr Malgorzata Milewicz, Dr Jane Hunt and Cathy Lasher,
will commence their legal challenges against Metanoia Institute in a hearing at
London Central Employment Tribunal on February 24th, 2026, which is
expected to last for 18 days.
A further claim of racial discrimination was ruled
out of time at a preliminary hearing, because the Claimants did not originally have
expert representation. But the five Claimants, psychological therapists,
researchers, and trainers, will give evidence that during their time at
Metanoia they raised serious concerns about practices that they 'believed
and experienced as harmful to students and staff of colour'.
Dr. Eiman Hussein, Psychotherapist and Claimant
said:
"Despite our efforts to address the racism
that exists in Metanoia Institute internally, the responses we received were
profoundly disappointing with devastating impacts. This Employment Tribunal is
our last option to ensure what happened is truly seen, heard and legally
tested"
Dr. Maya Mukamel, Psychologist, Psychotherapist
and Claimant said:
“What we both experienced and witnessed at
Metanoia Institute speak to a broader pattern within psychotherapy training
institutions, where racism is rife but where the realities and impacts of it
are rarely named openly and too often denied or
swept under the carpet in an attempt to isolate and silence those who
speak up about it.”
Dr Malgorzata Milewicz, Psychologist,
Psychotherapist and Claimant said:
“Our group of Claimants which includes some of us
who are white and white presenting, recognise our responsibility to challenge
racism within our institutions and professional communities. Standing alongside
our Black, Brown and colleagues of colour is an ethical obligation grounded in
anti-oppressive practice. We must examine power, confront our own complicity,
and listen when harm is named without defensiveness or retreating into
neutrality.”
Zita Holbourne, Chair & Co-founder of BARAC
UK said:
"The tenacity and determination of these
five courageous women in the face of the most horrific treatment by their
former employer because they 'dared' to stand up to Metanoia Institute is to be
applauded. But this case is about more, it is about putting psychotherapy
training organisations on notice that we will not allow them to create discriminatory
and hostile environments for students and workers and they must be accountable
and take urgent action to root out and prevent harmful discriminatory practices."
The Claimants are supported in their legal challenge by
their trade union; The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU), Black,
African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) and Black Activists Rising Against
Cuts (BARAC) UK and have gained widespread support from others.
A crowd
funder towards legal fees has generated over £30,000.00
towards legal fees to date, an indication of the shared concern about
racism at Metanoia Institute and interest in this case.
*Ends*
Press Contact:
Jane Hunt
Tel.: 07884471425
Email: jane.a.hunt@sky.com
Further info:
·
E Hussein and Others v The Metanoia
Institute, Case number 2217082/2023 main hearing will be held virtually from 24th February to 19th March
2026 . For media or public access requests contact:
CentrallondonETpublicaccess@justice.gov.uk
·
To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/challenge-institutional-racism-in-psychotherapy-training
·
BAATN social media post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1144289291214186&set=a.552119273764527&id=100068993784451
·
PCU statement: https://pcunion.org.uk/news/update-metanoia-institute-legal-case/
·
BARAC UK support:
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