Adult Counsellor / Psychological Therapist

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in England is seeking an Adult Counsellor / Psychological Therapist to join its Psychological Therapies Team. The successful candidate will work part-time, predominantly at Southend Hospital, providing psychological assessments and therapies to adult patients. The position requires a level 6 qualification in counselling or psychotherapy and NHS experience. This role offers opportunities for professional development while making a significant impact on patient wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Registered psychological therapist or counsellor with appropriate qualifications.
• Experience working with patients with health conditions.
• NHS experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and therapy to adult patients.
• Work with inpatient and outpatient families.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team discussions.

Skills

Counseling skills

Psychological assessment

Team collaboration

Education

Level 6 professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy

Professional registration with NHS recognized organization (e.g., BACP, UKPC)

Job description

Adult Counsellor / Psychological Therapist

The closing date is 06 January 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and registered psychological therapist or counsellor to join our dedicated Psychological Therapies Team, working with adult patients across the Trust. The role offers variety and professional development, as you will work across our three hospital sites, gaining exposure to different settings and experiences—while only ever being based at one site at a time.

For the first six months, you will be primarily based at Southend Hospital, providing continuity as you settle into the role. This position is part-time, two days per week, and is ideal for a skilled therapist looking to make a meaningful impact on patient wellbeing within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Main duties of the job

• To work with adult inpatients and outpatients and their families. Inpatients will be from the general hospital, as this role will not be with burns patients.
• To provide specialised psychological assessment and therapy based on a holistic formulation and sound evidence base.
• To participate in MDT discussions and decision making when appropriate.
• To offer consultation around patients' psychological care to non-psychological colleagues, and to other non-professional carers.
• To offer support to hospital staff through signposting and clinical team based supports such as reflective spaces to relevant staff.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 6 professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Professional registration with NHS recognised organisation such as BACP, UKPC.

Experience

• NHS experience.
• Experience of working psychologically with patients with health conditions.
• Inpatient work experience in an acute NHS setting.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.