Clinical/CounsellingPsychologist/CBT therapist/SystemicPsychotherapist

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/CBT Therapist/Systemic Psychotherapist to join their multi-disciplinary Emotional & Behavioural Team in Bedford. The position involves providing specialist assessments and interventions for young people aged 5-18. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience in CAMHS, as well as the ability to work in a supportive, reflective environment. This is a full-time permanent role with a salary range from £47,810 to £54,710 per annum.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• A qualification in Clinical/Counselling Psychology, CBT/Systemic Psychotherapy is essential.
• Previous mental health experience accredited by BABCP is required.
• Registration with HPC or relevant organisation is needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide a specialist service within CAMHS to children, young people, and their families.
• Conduct assessments and deliver group-work interventions.
• Contribute to the positive working environment within the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Clinical skills in CAMHS

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Experience in emergency and crisis assessments

Ability to lead and influence others

Teaching skills

Education

Qualification in Clinical/Counselling Psychology

Clinical Psychology Postgraduate Doctorate

Registration with HPC or relevant organisation

BABCP accredited

Job description

Job summary

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/CBT Therapist/Systemic Psychotherapist

Band 7

We are looking for an enthusiastic Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/CBT Therapist or Systemic Psychotherapist to join our innovative multi-disciplinary Emotional & Behavioural Team (EBT2) in Bedford CAMHS.

EB2 offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions to young people aged 5-18 and their families. We have close links to schools and community services. The role involves completing assessments and completing individual and group interventions.

We are a team that prides itself on creative, innovative and evidence based approaches to our work with service users and carers and value a supportive and reflective culture in the work environment. The team is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS which is a large, dynamic and successful CAMHS service comprising of 2 emotional and behavioural teams, a LAC team, a CAMHS schools team, a parent-infant psychotherapy team, a paediatric team, a GP team, an adolescent mental health team, a crisis team and an eating disorders service and Neurodevelopment Team. We also have embedded workers in Early Help, CDC and social care.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will provide a specialist service within CAMHS to children, young people and their families in North of Bedfordshire and will be based in our CAMHS hub in Bedford offering flexible, evidence-based episodes of care, assessments and treatments, including group-work. The post holder will directly contribute to the positive working environment within the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will require a high degree of professional autonomy and self-management, and will be required to account for their professional practice through appraisal and audit.

The successful post-holder will directly contribute to the positive working environment within the multi-disciplinary team.

About us

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.

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 363-SSLB7638672

Job locations: North Beds CAMHS, 9 Rush Court, Bedford, MK40 3JT

Job description & responsibilities

Please see attached JD for a more detailed job description and responsibilities.

For further details and discussions, please contact: Karen Dathorne (Operational Lead and Nurse Prescriber) or Willow Matthews, Clinical team Lead on: 01234 893300.

Person Specification

Education / Qualification / Training – Essential

• A qualification in Clinical/Counselling Psychology, CBT / Systemic Psychotherapy. Non registered applicants will not be short‑listed.
• Clinical/Counselling Psychology Postgraduate Doctorate/masters level training in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996).
• Registration with HPC or relevant organisation, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.
• Previous mental health experience accredited by BABCP.
• Systemic Psychotherapist with Masters level qualification in Systemic Psychotherapy and UKCP registration.

Education / Qualification / Training – Desirable

• BABCP accredited.

Experience – Essential

• Previous experience of working in CAMHS.
• Experience of specialist assessments and treatments for a wide range of presentations.
• Experience of group-work.
• Experience of working with a wide range of CAMHS problems.
• Experience of care planning.
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary way.
• Experience in crisis work.
• Experience of conducting functional analysis of behaviour.
• Experience of supervision, line management, groups.

Skills and Abilities – Essential

• Evidence of well‑developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS – additional training in evidence based therapy (DBT, CBT, Trauma informed, ACT, CAT, EMDR, systemic, etc.).
• Skilled in emergency and crisis assessments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evidence of ability to lead, support and influence others.
• Teaching skills, both in clinical setting and education centres.

Skills and Abilities – Desirable

• Skills in applying behavioural/learning approaches to difficult to manage behaviour.

Knowledge – Essential

• A high degree of self‑awareness and an ability to reflect on personal and professional attitudes and accept feedback.
• Awareness of current national guidelines and policies in the field of CAMHS.
• Specific knowledge of pertinent issues for CAMHS.
• In depth knowledge of CAMHS issues including assessment and interventions.
• Knowledge of The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and associated legislation.
• Knowledge of the Children’s Act and other appropriate legislation.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

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

Employer Details

East London NHS Foundation Trust

North Beds CAMHS, 9 Rush Court, Bedford, MK40 3JT

Website: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/