Band 7 Trainee Psychotherapist

NHS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Birmingham is seeking a Band 7 Trainee Psychotherapist. This unique role offers a fully supported training program for qualified mental health professionals to advance their skills in psychodynamic therapy. Candidates must have at least five years of experience and prior therapeutic training, focusing on delivering therapy to individuals with complex mental health needs. The Trust promotes diversity and development, ensuring a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• At least five years’ post‑registration experience working in mental health services.
• Prior therapeutic training (e.g. counselling, CBT, DBT, IAPT).
• Experience working with individuals facing complex mental health challenges.

Responsibilities

• Deliver psychodynamically informed therapy under supervision.
• Contribute to service development, audits, and research.
• Participate in a fully supported training program leading to BPC accreditation.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Reflective practice

Experience with psychological interventions

Understanding of psychodynamic principles

Education

Core mental health qualification

Registered health or social care professional

Job description

Band 7 Trainee Psychotherapist

The closing date is 08 December 2025

Are you a qualified mental health professional seeking specialist training in psychodynamic psychotherapy? Join our Specialist Psychotherapies Service as a Band 7 Trainee Psychotherapist.

This opportunity is ideal for experienced practitioners from core mental health professions – nursing, OT, social work, or arts therapy – who are passionate about psychodynamic approaches and committed to professional growth. The role includes a fully supported training programme leading to British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) accreditation.

You’ll deliver psychodynamically informed therapy under supervision, working with individuals facing complex mental health challenges. Training includes weekly personal therapy, seminars, essay writing and supervision. You will also contribute to service development, audits and research.

Applicants should have at least five years’ post‑registration experience and prior therapeutic training (e.g. counselling, CBT, DBT, IAPT). Strong communication skills, reflective practice and a commitment to development are essential. Experience with psychological interventions and an understanding of psychodynamic principles are desirable.

This is a unique chance to train while working in a supportive, multidisciplinary team. The Trust values diversity, development and empowering staff. If you’re ready to advance your therapeutic career, we encourage you to apply.

Main duties of the job

We encourage you to review the training course before applying to ensure you can commit to it. Details about the course and the requirements can be found via the Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling – Gloucestershire Counselling Service.

There are two stages to the application: the recruitment process with BSMHFT and the application process for the course via Gloucestershire Counselling Service. Successful completion of both processes is required to be offered the training post.

About us

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4,000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care and support our community.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Core mental health qualification – Registered health or social care professional (RMN, OT, Social Worker, Arts Therapist, etc.)

Experience

• At least five years’ post‑registration experience working in mental health services.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have difficulty engaging with services and present with complex mental health needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year, pro rata