Art Therapist

Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust; Dartford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Dartford is seeking a dedicated Art Psychotherapist to support the needs of women with complex mental health challenges. This role involves offering individual and group art therapy and actively participating in a multidisciplinary team. The organization prioritizes ongoing professional development and diversity, making this an ideal opportunity for those passionate about mental health care. The position offers a High Cost Area Supplement to compensate for living costs.

Benefits

High Cost Area Supplement

Ongoing professional development

Comprehensive induction program

Qualifications

• Proven experience in providing art psychotherapy for women with complex mental health issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group art psychotherapy sessions.
• Develop skills in assessment and practice within a group context.
• Support the therapeutic environment on the ward.

Skills

Art psychotherapy

Group therapy facilitation

Psychodynamic therapy

Mental health assessment

Education

Qualified Art Psychotherapist

Job description

Overview

Are you a dedicated, compassionate mental health professional committed to providing great care? We are creating Kent and Medway’s first, and only, NHS Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for women, and are seeking an Art Psychotherapist to help us deliver this vital service. The start date for this post will be in March 2026 to allow for onboarding, induction, and training before the anticipated arrival of the first patient in April 2026.

Role

As an Art Psychotherapist you will provide specialist art psychotherapy services to females with complex and longstanding mental health problems. You will undertake high quality direct and indirect specialist interventions and facilitate art and psychodynamic therapy groups as part of a treatment program which is flexible and sensitive to the needs of the client group, using a variety of art materials in a therapeutic and creative way.

Responsibilities

• You will be offering art psychotherapy to patients on an individual and group basis to support the therapeutic environment on the ward and support patients to manage their distress and facilitate stabilisation.
• You will hold a consultation and leadership role in the ward, developing skills in assessment and practice within a group context.
• You will have skills to intervene via a range of formats e.g. ward groups, staff consultation, families/carers and the MDT.

Working environment

Working in a PICU is rewarding but demanding. It involves caring for people with severe and complex mental health conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and may be associated with personality disorder, substance misuse and PTSD). The opportunity to support critically unwell women back to their communities, ensuring “right care, in the right place, at the right time”, is immense, and a skilled, multidisciplinary team will support you.

You would be working as part of a team of mental health experts, dedicated to ensuring the most unwell women in our communities have the same access to specialist care as men. We are recruiting now to ensure the new female PICU team is in place with enough time to train, form team bonds and prepare so you can make a profound difference to patient outcomes from day one.

Development and Inclusion

We offer ongoing professional development to help you adapt and progress your career, including bespoke training and a comprehensive induction program. At KMPT, we are serious about diversity and inclusion and are building this into our DNA. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and actively encourage applications from under-represented communities for senior roles like this one.

Benefits

This role includes a High Cost Area Supplement: 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum of £1,303 per year and a maximum of £2,198 per year (divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly). The salary listed is inclusive of the High-Cost Area Allowance.

Contact

For further details / informal visits contact: Belinda Demirbasa, Deputy Lead Acute Psychological Practice. Email: [e-mail], Tel: [phone].