Help Us Fight Institutional Racism in Psychotherapy Training

We are a group of five psychological therapists, researchers, and trainers, deeply committed to anti-oppressive and inclusive practices in therapy and education. As former staff members of the renowned Metanoia Institute, we dedicated ourselves to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion in our roles as lecturers, Directors of Studies, and a Faculty Head. However, during our time at Metanoia, we raised serious concerns about practices we believed and experienced as harmful to students and staff of colour. Despite our efforts to address these racial dynamics internally, the responses we received were profoundly disappointing.

The environment became untenable, and over the course of the 2022-2023 academic year, we felt we had no choice but to leave. We are among many who departed during this period.

Determined to seek accountability, we made the incredibly difficult decision to bring our cases to the Employment Tribunal. We are pursuing claims of constructive dismissal, whistleblowing, and victimization—not just for ourselves but to push for necessary change in this influential institution.

But we need your help.

Why This Matters

The Metanoia Institute plays a significant role in shaping future generations of therapists and psychologists. We believe that the way professionals are trained directly impacts the integrity of the field and the public’s trust in psychological care. Ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion within this space is a matter of public interest.

We are proud to have the support of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU) https://www.psychotherapyandcounsellingunion.co.uk and The Black, African, and Asian Therapists Network (BAATN) https://www.baatn.org.uk . We are very fortunate to be represented by Barrister Robin White, an expert in employment and discrimination law from Old Square Chambers. However, the legal process is complex and costly, and we urgently need £20,000 to cover the next stage of the Preliminary Hearings.

Why We’re Fighting

We believe that this case is not just about us—it’s about the future of our profession and ensuring that institutions like Metanoia Institute uphold the principles of fairness, integrity, and inclusivity.

How You Can Help

We are turning to crowdfunding as our only path forward. Your support can make a meaningful difference in our fight for justice and accountability:

- Donate: Any amount, large or small, brings us closer to our goal.

- Share: Spread the word about our campaign on social media or with your networks.

- Raise Awareness: Help us amplify this important issue and stand up for equity in psychotherapy training.

With your help, we hope to hold Metanoia Institute accountable and create a lasting impact on the field of psychological therapies.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can champion justice and equality.

Dr Eiman Hussein

Dr Maya Mukamel

Dr Malgorzata Milewicz

Dr Jane Hunt

Cathy Lasher