Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

NHS; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a motivated Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service, providing high-quality assessment and evidence-based treatments for clients experiencing PTSD and C-PTSD. The successful candidate will work within a collaborative team environment, using techniques such as trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, while navigating complex client presentations. This position offers flexible working, generous leave, and excellent opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Generous NHS pension scheme

Access to wellbeing tools

Learning and career development opportunities

Free parking

Qualifications

• Holder of HCPC registered Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification.
• Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems.
• Specialist skills in evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist psychological assessments and develop clear treatment formulations.
• Collaborate with clients to deliver interventions for PTSD and complex PTSD.
• Evaluate treatment options considering theoretical models and historical factors.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Trauma-focused CBT

EMDR

Compassion Focused Therapy

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a motivated Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service (BTSS). BTSS is a specialist service providing assessment and treatment for adults with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).

You will provide specialist assessment and psychological therapy for clients of the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service, experiencing symptoms/difficulties consistent with PTSD or CPTSD. This will involve specialist and expert psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment. Interventions offered by the service are primarily trauma focused CBT (TF-CBT), EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), and you will have the opportunity to develop further skills in these areas. We offer phased approaches to treatment with CFT delivered in both group and individual formats, as well as offering advice and consultation on clients' psychological care to multidisciplinary mental health staff, and other, non-professional carers.

You will be part of a dedicated and friendly team of psychologists and CBT therapists committed to providing the best care for traumatised individuals.

You will be based at Erlegh House at the University of Reading. You may also work one day a week from the Athena Centre, Upton Hospital, Slough. The location has plenty of car parking, access to green spaces and local shops and restaurants.

Main duties of the job

To conduct specialist psychological assessments and develop a clear and detailed formulation of the service user's presenting difficulties and/or the systemic issues present.

In collaboration with clients, to formulate and deliver interventions for the psychological treatment and/or management of a client's PTSD and complex PTSD based upon an appropriate conceptual framework, evidence-based practice and NICE guidance.

To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual's presentation.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.

Details Date posted

22 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum, pro rata (incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-MHS800-A

Job locations

Erlegh House, University of Reading

Whitenights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ

Job description Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

• Holder of HCPC registered Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification and hold current HCPC registration

OR Trainee Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in final year with pending qualification and HCPC registration on completion of degree.

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems, across the lifespan and from different cultures.

• Evidence of experience of working with traumatised people including those with PTSD and C-PTSD

• Evidence of specialist skills in evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma related psychological distress, within the NICE guidelines

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

• Holder of HCPC registered Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification and hold current HCPC registration

OR Trainee Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in final year with pending qualification and HCPC registration on completion of degree.

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems, across the lifespan and from different cultures.

• Evidence of experience of working with traumatised people including those with PTSD and C-PTSD

• Evidence of specialist skills in evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma related psychological distress, within the NICE guidelines

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas) which provides eligibility for Chartered Membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (or expect to be registered upon completion of degree)

Continuous Professional Development Essential

• Evidence of training and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to PTSD and Complex PTSD, such as evidence-based trauma-focused therapies and compassion focused therapy
• Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body

Experience Essential

• Experience of working in evidence-based ways with services users (and their carers/families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, including PTSD or Complex PTSD
• Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems
• Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency environment
• Experience of service development and carrying out clinical audit, evaluative research and applying the findings
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to service.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of psychological or psychotherapeutic assessment, formulation and intervention, when working with trauma related psychological distress and with people with PTSD and Complex PTSD, including trauma-focused CBT/cognitive therapy for PTSD and/or EMDR.
• Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and completing this in the NHS.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement
• The ability and skills to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster good professional relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of this service with the wider health care system.
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, One Consultation and the internet).

Additional Requirements Essential

• Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required, and ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas) which provides eligibility for Chartered Membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (or expect to be registered upon completion of degree)

Continuous Professional Development Essential

• Evidence of training and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to PTSD and Complex PTSD, such as evidence-based trauma-focused therapies and compassion focused therapy
• Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body

Experience Essential

• Experience of working in evidence-based ways with services users (and their carers/families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, including PTSD or Complex PTSD
• Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems
• Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency environment
• Experience of service development and carrying out clinical audit, evaluative research and applying the findings
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to service.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of psychological or psychotherapeutic assessment, formulation and intervention, when working with trauma related psychological distress and with people with PTSD and Complex PTSD, including trauma-focused CBT/cognitive therapy for PTSD and/or EMDR.
• Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and completing this in the NHS.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement
• The ability and skills to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster good professional relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of this service with the wider health care system.
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, One Consultation and the internet).

Additional Requirements Essential

• Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required, and ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House, University of Reading

Whitenights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House, University of Reading

Whitenights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)