Apology for student therapist expelled for his gender views

A student psychotherapist expelled from his master's course after expressing gender-critical views has received an apology from the training institute where he was studying.

- Amelia Gentleman

James Esses has reached a settlement with the Metanoia Institute in London, which specialises in training counsellors and psychotherapists.

He lost his place on the course after campaigning against the government's proposed ban on conversion practices.

Esses launched an online petition in April 2021 highlighting concerns that the proposed ban on conversion practices - the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity - might end up criminalising explorative therapy for children with gender dysphoria. He was expelled from the course by email shortly after.

The institute admitted in a statement that it had breached its own policies when it expelled Esses from his course, and failed to offer him a hearing or an internal appeal.

He was three years into a five-year course, training to become a therapist, and was unable to complete it.