Clin/Couns Psychologist/CBT Therapist - Bedford Borough | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Bedford is looking for a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to provide evidence-based assessments and interventions for complex mental health needs. This role requires collaboration with a multidisciplinary team and offers opportunities for supervision and training. The ideal candidate is passionate about improving mental health services and has experience in trauma-informed care.

Benefits

Continuous professional development

Opportunities for supervision and training

Qualifications

• Ability to provide specialist psychological assessment and intervention.
• Enthusiasm for working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Good knowledge and skills in consultation, teaching, and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and intervention for complex mental health needs.
• Participate in quality improvement projects and staff support initiatives.
• Supervise Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologists.

Skills

Multidisciplinary team working

Evidence-based psychological assessment

Trauma-informed care

Supervision of Assistant Psychologists

Education

Accredited psychologist training

Job description

Overview

We have an opportunity for a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist or accredited Psychological Therapist (see Person Spec) to join us in our community mental health services in Bedford. You will join us in our multi‑agency blended primary/secondary care MDTs and work alongside a group of psychological therapists, including the Principal Psychologist, Psychologists, CBT therapist, CAPs and Assistant Psychologists. This means there are opportunities to work with local mental health networks, service users and VCSE organisations in work streams to shape the future of psychologically‑informed mental health care in Bedford.

Newly qualified psychologists could be appointed at band 7 under a preceptorship to work towards requirements for band 8a, subject to satisfactory completion of a formal development process.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity before applying, please do make contact with us.

Responsibilities

The post‑holder will provide specialist evidence‑based psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for people with a range of complex mental health needs, including individual, couple/family and group interventions. They will possess an enthusiasm for multidisciplinary team working and the skills to help steer the team to trauma‑informed psychological understanding of their clients and the development of psychologically informed services.

The team values the role of Psychologists highly and, as such, the role is multifaceted and includes consultation, teaching, and supervision roles, as well as active involvement in quality improvement projects, staff support initiatives and wider Trust initiatives. We are therefore looking for someone with good knowledge and skills within these domains, and someone who is ready to join an innovative and efficient service. You will also have opportunities to supervise Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologists.

Training and Development

We have a good track record in providing therapies training and CPD to support development in clinical and leadership roles. In ELFT we are passionate about our Quality Improvement approach and psychologists are key players in many projects. We have a thriving therapies workforce in the Trust with opportunities for learning and supporting each other.

Organisational Mission and Values

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Additional Information

Please could you kindly refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy.

Closing

This advert closes on Sunday 30 Nov 2025