Final places remain for our Year 1 Diploma in Professional Development starting September 2026.

To find out more please contact enquire@gestaltcentre.org,uk and apply. 

This one-year, part-time course is an ideal introduction to the lively, creative Gestalt approach. It’s taken either by aspiring psychotherapists as the first stage of our Psychotherapy Programme or as a stand-alone course by people-focused professionals keen to develop their relationship-building skills and gain a recognised qualification in the process.

Who takes this course?

  • People who want to train as psychotherapists on our Psychotherapy Programme
  • Existing counsellors and therapists who want to integrate the Gestalt approach into their practice
  • Health Professionals; doctors, nurses, social and care workers, management and consultants – including coaching and mentoring, the prison service, law, media, education, journalists and those in artistic professions who want to gain academic recognition for their professional experience and learn creative ways to enable change with colleagues and clients.

At the Gestalt Centre we value equity and inclusion and welcome diversity and difference in all backgrounds, identities, cultures and voices. It is integral to who we are and how we work. If you have any accessibility requirements for this programme, please let us know how we might be able to meet them.

What the course offers

Students engage in practical and personal learning in the training groups and undertake individual therapy, all of which is supported and clarified by study of the key ideas of the Gestalt approach, seen through exploration of the inclusion, equity and diversity lenses as part of the learning.

You will

  • Develop awareness of how you relate to yourself and to others
  • Gain insight into how you may struggle with communication with some others
  • Learn new skills to enable change with clients
  • Develop the ability to communicate effectively in personal and professional settings
  • Explore new and more creative ways of being and relating
  • Learn to make practical use of key Gestalt ideas.

 

  • Course structure

    Weekly term-time meetings: Wednesdays 5.30pm to 9.00pm – Starts September 2026.

    Plus

    • 5 weekends
    • 1-day workshop
    • 4-day large group event
    • 1 tutorial per term
    • Personal study time
    • Individual therapy (1 hour weekly)

  • Assessments

    You need to complete:

    • 2 essays
    • 1 self-reflective essay
    • 1 presentation with peers

    The Pass Rate is 50% , you are allowed to resubmit your work once to achieve this.

    CAT points

    • Introduction to Gestalt Therapy Theory (GTT) 15
    • Introduction to Gestalt Therapy Practice 15
    • Applications of Gestalt Therapy Theory: an Introduction 15
  • Entry requirements

    EITHER

    A first degree and/or evidence of an appropriate level of professional experience or an appropriate level qualification in a related field such as: social work, education, probation or human resources.

    OR

    An appropriate level of professional experience in a non-related field with evidence to show how this can be applied to working with people in distress.

    PLUS

    • A high level of communication skills, both oral and written.
    • Emotional maturity and life experience with a capacity and openness for personal exploration and ability to respond appropriately to feedback.
    • The ability to learn in a group situation.
    • The capacity to cope in stressful situations.

  • Fees

    Diploma in Professional Development – Year 1        Fees for 2026-2027

    Monthly standing order – £476.50  x 12

    Total Annual Fee – £5,718

    Discounted annual fee when paid in full by a single payment – £5,518

     

Leads to

On successful completion, you’ll have a thorough understanding and assimilation of Gestalt theory equivalent to a university undergraduate level and be awarded a Diploma in Professional Development by the Gestalt Centre.

You will be eligible to proceed to Year 2 of the Psychotherapy Programme, Postgraduate Certificate in Gestalt Therapy.

“The course has been wonderful: well structured, great support and hugely challenging.”

KM

SEE ALSO

Other courses to develop your professional practice and open your eyes to Gestalt
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GESTALT COUNSELLING PROGRAMME
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Introduction to Gestalt Centre Training Programmes
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DIPLOMA IN SUPERVISION
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GESTALT IN ACTION : EMBODIED PRACTICE
Private: A GESTALT APPROACH TO WORKING WITH CHILDREN
Private: GROUP FACILITATION PROGRAMME

GET IN TOUCH

Questions on courses, timings or fees? Ready to book your place? Want to know more about room hire or finding a counsellor? We have the answers you’re looking for.

Add your name plus a contact email address or telephone number to the contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Alternatively, you can call us on the number below, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 5.30pm in the weekends during term time.

CALL US ON 020 7383 5610