Arts Psychotherapist - Inpatient Psychology | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust in Essex is seeking a qualified Arts Psychotherapist to join their Adult Inpatient Psychological Therapies team on a 0.4 WTE basis. The role involves delivering Art Psychotherapy interventions to adults in acute mental health crisis, with responsibilities in clinical administration, service development, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates offer client-focused practice and trauma-informed care expertise, contributing to effective patient transitions from hospital to community settings.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension (up to 14.5%)

£8K relocation package

Flexible working options

Staff discounts and benefits

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified Arts Psychotherapist (art, music, movement or drama).
• Registered with HCPC or UKCP for DMPs.
• Encouragement of diversity and overseas applicants.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Art Psychotherapies and assess appropriate provision for service users.
• Conduct clinical administration for your caseload.
• Support the multidisciplinary team in supervision and learning opportunities.
• Contribute to service development and research.
• Provide consultation to multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Foster links with community services for better transitions.

Skills

Qualified Arts Psychotherapist

Client-focused practice

Understanding of trauma-informed care

Education

Registered with HCPC or UKCP

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and enthusiastic Arts Psychotherapist to join our Adult Inpatient Psychological Therapies team in Essex. The post is 0.4 WTE and is based at the Derwent Centre in Harlow.

We are looking to interview on the week commencing 19 January 2026. The post is based at the Derwent Centre in Harlow, which comprises two wards (one male and one female).

As part of this role, you would deliver specialist Arts Psychotherapy interventions for adults admitted to hospital in acute mental health crisis, working with individuals as well as with groups. The assessment will form part of a comprehensive MDT assessment, formulation and treatment planning (including risk management). The post holder will contribute or lead on aspects of service development, undertaking audit and research (including evaluating the effectiveness of Art Psychotherapy interventions) and training others as appropriate. The role involves working as part of the multidisciplinary team and providing consultation to our multidisciplinary colleagues.

The successful candidate will deliver Art Psychotherapies, assess for appropriate provision of each, and be responsible for clinical administration of their caseload including maintaining notes, outcome measures, and communication with involved colleagues. They will work closely with the MDT in supporting supervision, learning opportunities, and reflective practice, and will help develop and manage a clinical data and outcome measure process. The post holder would also be encouraged to make links with community colleagues to ease transitions for service users between hospital and community settings.

We, the Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team, aim to understand the impact of trauma and adverse experiences on an individual’s crisis presentation within the hospital setting. We work with our MDT colleagues to ensure our service users experience purposeful inpatient admissions and timely discharges.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate client-focused practice, understand trauma-informed care, and apply psychotherapeutic thinking in all clinical work interactions with colleagues, service users, and other stakeholders.

We, EPUT’s Adult Inpatient Psychological Services team, cover 6 inpatient sites across Essex. Each site has a Principal Lead overseeing the area. Our team includes Principal/Senior Practitioners, Arts Psychotherapists, trainees and CAPS. We value the excellent day-to-day work of our staff and pride ourselves on new creative practice, including nationally recognised training packages.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Art Psychotherapies and assess appropriate provision for each service user.
• Carry out clinical administration for your caseload, including notes, outcome measures and communications with colleagues.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to provide supervision, learning opportunities and reflective practice; contribute to a clinical data and outcome measure process.
• Contribute to service development, audits, research, and training as appropriate.
• Provide consultation to multidisciplinary colleagues and support the development of Arts Psychotherapies provision on the wards.
• Support clinical placements for Art Psychotherapy trainees and engage in continuing professional development with links to universities and professional bodies.
• Foster links with community services to support transitions for service users.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be a qualified Arts Psychotherapist (art, music, movement or drama) and registered with the HCPC (UKCP for DMPs).

As well as applicants from the UK, we encourage overseas candidates to apply for this role. We welcome diversity within our organisation.

Benefits and Work Environment

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover travel costs to and from work.
• Flexible working available from day one for most roles and job-share options.

For more information, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This advert closes on Sunday 4 January 2026.