THE SHERWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED

What THE SHERWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED does

The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute Limited (SPTI) is a not-for-profit educational organisation founded in 1987 and headquartered at 2 Castle Quay, Nottingham, United Kingdom. SPTI delivers professional and academic training in counselling and psychotherapy, ranging from introductory short courses through a BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy to four MSc-level programmes in Integrative Psychotherapy, Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy, and Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy. Courses are accredited by UKCP, BACP, and UKATA, and the degrees are validated and awarded by the University of Staffordshire under a long-standing partnership; the institute is registered with the Office for Students, enabling students to access Student Loans Company funding. Tuition fees range from £5,760 to £6,350 per academic year for the flagship degree programmes, with a £400 non-refundable deposit per place.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer, event-driven admissions model — prospective students attend paid information days (full-day in-person events) or free online information evenings, apply online via Cognito Forms, and proceed through references, DBS checks, and interviews with programme leaders. SPTI currently serves nearly 300 students across cohorts, supported by ~20+ named core staff plus a wider faculty of facilitators and tutors. The technology stack is conventional for the sector: Moodle for the virtual learning environment, Microsoft 365 for staff and students, and Cognito Forms for applications — there is no proprietary platform or AI capability. Class sizes are capped at 16 (BSc) and 18 (MSc/Diploma), with a maximum of 28 training days per year to allow students to study alongside existing employment. The core revenue stream is recurring annual tuition supplemented by CPD workshops, certificates, and clinical supervision training, some delivered in partnership with Janus CPD. The institute is geographically anchored to Nottingham, cannot accept international students (no Home Office sponsor licence), and depends on University of Staffordshire as its sole degree-awarding partner.

Name

THE SHERWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED

Legal name

THE SHERWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED

Website

https://spti.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute Limited is a Nottingham-based not-for-profit founded in 1987 that delivers accredited counselling and psychotherapy training — from introductory courses to BSc and MSc degrees — to nearly 300 students, with degrees validated by the University of Staffordshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Counselling and Psychotherapy Professional Training

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Counselling training programmes
• Psychotherapy education
• Professional clinical training
• Continuing professional development
• Higher education counselling

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged to students for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Fees are paid per academic year and can be financed through Student Loans Company for eligible UK students. Additional deposits required to secure places.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SPTI sells accredited counselling and psychotherapy training programmes to individual students, ranging from a 30-hour Level 2 introductory Award and a 12-day Foundation Access Course through a three-year BSc (Hons) and four-year MSc degrees (Integrative, Person-Centred and Experiential, and Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy), all validated by the University of Staffordshire. It also offers a Diploma in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Clinical Supervision, and a CPD portfolio of certificates, diplomas and workshops covering trauma, couples therapy, body psychotherapy, pastoral supervision, young people and open seminars.

Product overview

SPTI offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional training programmes ranging from introductory to postgraduate level qualifications in counselling and psychotherapy. The core offerings include undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc) degrees awarded by University of Staffordshire, alongside professional diplomas and certificates. The programmes are delivered through a modular structure combining theoretical instruction with practical clinical training, personal therapy requirements, and supervised placement hours. SPTI's courses follow distinct therapeutic modalities (Integrative, Person-Centred, Transactional Analysis) while sharing common values around the therapeutic relationship. In addition to degree programmes, SPTI provides a substantial CPD portfolio including clinical supervision training, trauma treatment certificates, couples therapy diplomas, and open seminar series, all designed to support both aspiring practitioners and qualified professionals in continuing their development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts A 30-hour introductory programme providing basic counselling skills for everyday life or as a taster to longer-term training, validated by Skills and Education Group Awards at Level 2 on the RQF; aimed at complete beginners and helping professionals.
• SPTI Foundation Access Course A 12-day part-time course (4–6 months) designed for those wanting to enhance their study experience before undertaking the BSc or Masters programme, with emphasis on personal development; targeted at prospective BSc/MSc applicants.
• BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy A 3-year full-time undergraduate degree awarded by University of Staffordshire and BACP-accredited, adopting a Humanistic and Integrative approach delivered via weekend workshops for aspiring counsellors.
• MSc Integrative Psychotherapy A 4-year part-time postgraduate programme accredited by UKCP and awarded by University of Staffordshire, using a developmental-relational approach integrating Object Relations theories, Psychoanalytic Self-Psychology and Humanistic Psychology; for graduates with relevant degrees seeking UKCP registration.
• MSc Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy A 4-year part-time postgraduate programme accredited by UKCP and awarded by University of Staffordshire, grounded in Carl Rogers' humanistic approach with contemporary developments including focusing-oriented therapy and emotion-focused therapy; for graduates seeking UKCP registration.
• MSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy A 4-year part-time postgraduate programme accredited by UKATA and awarded by University of Staffordshire, using Eric Berne's integrative approach to Transactional Analysis combining psychoanalytic thought with humanistic philosophy; for graduates seeking UKATA, EATA, BACP and UKCP registration.
• Diploma Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy A 4-year professional diploma in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy accredited by UKATA and awarded by SPTI, leading to eligibility for BACP and UKCP registration as well as membership of UKATA and EATA.
• SPTI Diploma Clinical Supervision A 1-year part-time diploma (plus additional clinical obligations year) for experienced practitioners training to become clinical supervisors, emphasising relational and creative supervision styles across various modalities.
• Diploma in Couples Therapy An in-depth CPD training over 8 weekend workshops exploring therapeutic approaches to working with couples, delivered in partnership with Janus CPD for qualified practitioners.
• Certificate in Trauma Treatment A 1-year part-time certificate providing qualified practitioners with theoretical and practical exposure to modern trauma treatment approaches, delivered in partnership with Janus CPD.
• Counselling Young People (CYP) Workshop A 5-day workshop programme focusing on working with young people aged 11–18, addressing cognitive and emotional adjustments needed when moving from adult to adolescent client work; targeted at qualified practitioners seeking CPD.
• Open Seminar Series Open seminars for trainees, graduates and allied professionals featuring presentations on psychotherapy topics with discussion and networking opportunities.
• Certificate in Body Psychotherapy A certificate delivered in partnership with Janus CPD providing theoretical and practical exposure to Body Psychotherapy across 6 three-day weekend workshops for qualified practitioners.
• Professional Certificate and Diploma in Pastoral Supervision Training delivered in partnership with the Institute of Pastoral Counselling & Supervision for clergy, pastoral care team leaders and chaplains to develop reflective practice skills.
• CPD Workshops Regular CPD workshops on various topics relating to counselling and psychotherapy offered throughout the year for qualified and trainee practitioners.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of StaffordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Staffordshire validates and awards all BSc and MSc degrees. SPTI's undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are validated and awarded by the university. Students in Years 2-4 of MSc programmes are registered as students of both SPTI and University of Staffordshire.
• Janus CPDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for delivery of Diploma in Couples Therapy and Certificate in Trauma courses. SPTI collaborates with Janus CPD to deliver these CPD programmes.
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)coreOthersMSc programmes are accredited by UKCP, enabling graduates to achieve professional registration as psychotherapists. SPTI became an accrediting member of UKCP in 1993.
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)coreOthersBSc (Hons) programme is accredited by BACP. Graduates are eligible to apply for BACP accreditation upon completion of clinical component. SPTI's counselling course gained accredited status with BACP in 1994.
• United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA)coreOthersMSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy is professionally accredited by UKATA, with graduates eligible for membership to both UKATA and European Association of Transactional Analysts (EATA).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Iron Mill College: Exeter-based training provider delivering BACP-accredited counselling and psychotherapy courses, including diplomas and degrees validated by UK universities. Directly comparable in scope, target audience and accreditation-driven positioning.
• Spectrum: UK not-for-profit specialising in person-centred and experiential psychotherapy training, validated by UKCP. Closely comparable in therapeutic modality focus, accreditation-driven design and weekend/part-time delivery to working adults.
• Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (BCPC): Not-for-profit UK training centre offering accredited counselling and psychotherapy qualifications with weekend and part-time formats. Comparable as a regionally focused, accredited practitioner training institute serving aspiring and qualified therapists.
• Metanoia Institute: UK-based training institute offering accredited psychotherapy and counselling programmes up to doctoral level. Highly comparable as another specialist private psychotherapy training provider with UKCP/BACP accreditations and a similar modular, practitioner-oriented model.
• Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE): London-based charity offering counselling and psychotherapy training up to master's level with BACP/UKCP recognition. Comparable as a small, accredited specialist training provider competing for the same aspiring practitioner segment.

Broad incumbents

• Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust: NHS-affiliated provider of postgraduate training in psychotherapy, counselling and mental health. Comparable as a long-established UK training institution offering accredited psychotherapy programmes, though operating in a public-sector model.
• Regent's University London: London private university offering psychotherapy and counselling degrees within a broader portfolio of humanities and business programmes. Overlaps with SPTI in offering validated counselling/psychotherapy pathways to UK and international students.
• University of Roehampton: Major London university with established postgraduate counselling and psychotherapy programmes and strong research output. Comparable as an accredited higher-education provider producing graduates for UKCP/BACP-recognised practitioner roles.

Others

• European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA): European professional body governing Transactional Analysis training and certification, of which SPTI's MSc TA graduates become members. Related as the credentialing ecosystem underpinning SPTI's newest programme rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE): London-based specialist training provider offering accredited programmes in arts, psychotherapy and counselling. Comparable as a small accredited training institute competing for the same niche, accredited practitioner market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheSherwoodInst
• Facebookfacebook.com/SherwoodInstituteUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sherwood-psychotherapy-training-institute-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/spti_sherwood_institute

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE SHERWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED