Students left in the dark as psychotherapy academy goes bust

Students at a provider of postgraduate psychotherapy courses say they have been left in limbo after it suddenly announced its closure.

The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) runs master’s degree courses in practice-based play therapy – a form of psychotherapy primarily used to support young children – in the UK and Ireland. 

But students were informed last week that the institution had entered into liquidation, and that their placements and assessments have been put on hold until further notice.

The provider’s website has since been taken down, and students have complained that they have been given little information following the academy’s collapse. 

One student told Times Higher Education that they had been in the middle of preparing for their first assignment and had been due to shortly begin a work placement when they discovered the news from friends on WhatsApp.

Their placement has since been postponed, and they are waiting to hear about the next steps following the liquidation. 

“When I initially saw this email I was convinced it was a cyberattack,” they said, adding that the course had cost them more than €5,000 (£4,200).

“This has absolutely consumed me. I have done nothing really over the last week, other than talk to my cohort on WhatsApp and try and glean some information from different social media comments, other people posting on Facebook groups, and trying to piece together what’s actually happening.”

Other students took to social media to demand answers, with one student writing on APAC’s Facebook page that they had “been trying to get in contact with [them] to no avail”. 

The University of Chichester, which accredits the UK courses, said it will be teaching out the remainder of the programmes. 

A spokesperson said that they recognise that this is an “uncertain time” for students but they “remain committed to ensuring our students receive clear information, support and continuity”.

They added: “We have, and will continue to, work[ed] closely with current students studying on University of Chichester programmes and have secured appropriate teach-out arrangements for current students.

“We will continue to communicate directly with these students as arrangements progress, with the aim of minimising disruption and enabling them to complete their qualification.”

PTUK, the professional body for play therapy, said in a statement that it “recognised the uncertainty” following the news. 

“The profession of play and creative arts therapy is much bigger than any one organisation or individual. Its strength lies in the collective expertise of our practitioners, supervisors, course directors, researchers and members, and in the professional standards and clinical knowledge that have been built over many years.

“As we look ahead, PTUK is committed to strengthening organisational resilience and supporting sustainable professional-development and training pathways for the future.”

APAC was approached for comment. 

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com