An Employment Tribunal has begun hearing a high-profile legal case against the West London-based Metanoia Institute, with five former members of staff alleging victimisation and constructive dismissal over whistleblowing at the institution.
The case, which opened at the London Central Employment Tribunal last week, is expected to last 19 days. The claimants — Dr Eiman Hussein, Dr Maya Mukamel, Dr Malgorzata Milewicz, Dr Jane Hunt and Cathy Lasher — argue that they raised serious concerns internally about what they describe as racial trauma, discriminatory treatment and oppressive practices affecting staff and students, particularly those of colour.
They contend that after speaking up, they experienced detrimental treatment that ultimately led to their departures from the Institute. The tribunal will now examine the circumstances surrounding those claims.
Metanoia Institute is a leading psychotherapy and counselling training provider based in West London, with around 1,500 students enrolled across undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. Many of its graduates go on to work within NHS services and other public sector mental health settings.
The case is being supported by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU), the trade union representing counsellors, psychotherapists and trainees across the UK. In a statement, the union said the proceedings send a “clear message” that training institutions must provide safe, inclusive and accountable environments for staff and students.
The union has also indicated that it continues to receive communications from current and former members of the Institute raising similar concerns — something it says highlights the wider importance of the case for the profession.
Support organisations including the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) and Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK have expressed solidarity with the claimants. A crowdfunding campaign to assist with legal costs has raised more than £32,000 to date.
The outcome of the tribunal could have implications beyond one institution. Questions around workplace culture, whistleblowing protections and racial equity in professional training are increasingly under scrutiny across higher education and the mental health sector.
The hearing is scheduled to continue until 19 March 2026.
Metanoia Institute has not yet publicly responded to the claims in detail. The tribunal will determine the facts of the case.
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