Jewish student dismissed from course over gender critical views receives apology

The Metanoia Institute said they recognised the "changing policy landscape" around gender recognition after the publication of the Cass Review, which UK ban on prescribing puberty blockers to those under 18.

Their statement continued: “As a consequence of his expulsion, Mr Esses was barred from the opportunity of completing the additional two years of his studies and receiving his qualification with the Institute.

"Mr Esses passed every assessment undertaken which had been marked, had received positive feedback from his clinical placements and, at the time of his expulsion, had been signed off to set up in private practice by his supervisor, clinical placement and personal tutor. We apologise to him for the impact of his expulsion, both professional and personal.

“Notwithstanding the fact that high-quality therapy is rooted in empathy, active listening and unconditional positive regard, we did not fulfil these values in our treatment of Mr Esses. For this we apologise fully.”

Esses, who grew up in Dublin and was a member of the Jewish youth movement BBYO, was a barrister turned civil servant before he began training in psychotherapy.

Last December he settled a legal case against the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy over his dismissal from his course.

In a statement at the time, the body said it recognised that gender-critical beliefs are protected under the Equality Act.

The council also said it recognised, “the validity of the professional belief that children suffering from gender dysphoria should be treated with explorative therapy, rather than being affirmed towards irreversible and potentially damaging medical intervention.”

Writing on a crowdfunding page set up to fund his legal fees, Esses said: “The reason for my expulsion was that I had been trying to safeguard therapy and counselling for vulnerable children with gender dysphoria”.

A public petition he had launched subsequently attracted 10,000 signatures and “a response from the government, who agreed to many of the safeguards I had been seeking”.

While gender assignment was the appropriate treatment for some people, he wrote: “For others, it will not. Careful and appropriate talking therapy allows each individual properly to explore underlying causes and options for their care.

"This is the approach that therapists pursue for every other mental health condition, and it should be no different for gender dysphoria.”

Esses previously told the JC that in the two years he had pursuing the claim against  Metanoia he had noticed “a significant increase in the volume of antisemitic slurs I am on the receiving end of, simply because I believe in biological reality and child safeguarding”.

He said it was “not uncommon for me to be called a Nazi” on social media.

“Others, playing on my surname, Esses, call me 'James SS’. This, unfortunately, has become par for the course and I wish I could say I was the only one,” he added.