Clinical Psychologist/Counselling Psychologist

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in London is seeking a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to lead dialectical behaviour therapy in their Community Mental Health Hub. The successful candidate will be involved in assessing and treating complex mental health conditions, supervising team members, and contributing to training. This role demands a comprehensive understanding of psychological therapies and a commitment to professional development. Candidates must hold a relevant doctorate and registration with HCPC. Competitive salary and CPD support are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist supervised in a CMHT or similar.
• Experience exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care.
• Experience delivering DBT.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Complex Emotional Needs pathway across the hubs.
• Provide specialist psychological assessment for complex mental health problems.
• Contribute to the psychosocial group programme within the Hub.

Skills

Complex psychological assessment

Communication skills

Consultation to professional and non-professional groups

Research design knowledge

Education

Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology

DBT British Isles Training

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic clinical or counselling psychologist to work in our Community Mental Health Hub as part of an integrated multi-disciplinary service. The post‑holder will work in the north Kensington & Chelsea Mental Health Hub and in the south Hub as required.

The post‑holder will be the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) lead for the Hub and will also supervise the Complex Emotional Needs (CEN) pathway clinicians. The role will include liaison with the specialist CEN team, known as the Waterview Service. In addition, the post‑holder will provide a range of specialist psychological assessment and therapy for clients with complex and enduring mental health problems. They will also be expected to lead on and coordinate aspects of the group programme under the Hubs, including the DBT programme for clients with complex emotional needs. The candidate will offer advice, training and consultation to other members of the team and non‑professional carers.

The post‑holder will support the team in assessing the psychological and social needs of patients referred to the service, ensuring that psychological needs and factors are given due consideration in the care planning process. The post‑holder will be supported in developing their role through CPD and supervision, and will contribute to the professional development of junior colleagues, including trainee clinical psychologists. They are expected to work autonomously within professional guidelines.

Responsibilities

Main duties of the job.

• Lead the Complex Emotional Needs pathway across the north and south hubs (equivalent of one day per week).
• Provide specialist psychological assessment and therapy for clients with complex mental health problems.
• Contribute to the psychosocial group programme within the Hub, offering advice, training and consultation to team members and carers.
• Attend weekly psychology and wider MDT team meetings and case discussion forums to facilitate gold‑standard service provision.
• Manage referrals, plan clinical care, develop effective recovery‑oriented treatment models and work towards optimal use of psychological therapy resources.
• Conduct thorough assessment of the psychological and social needs of patients, ensuring these are considered in care planning.

Clinical responsibilities include assessing clients with complex data, formulating treatment plans, implementing psychological interventions and supervising the Hub DBT offer. They will also evaluate treatment options, manage risk assessment and communicate effectively with multi‑disciplinary teams.

Teaching, training and supervision: receive supervision, develop professional teaching skills, supervise trainees and assistant clinicians, and contribute to pre‑ and post‑qualification teaching.
Management, recruitment, policy and service development: advise on policies, manage workloads, participate in shortlisting and interviewing, and contribute to service evaluation.
Research and service evaluation: support evidence‑based practice and undertake research projects and audits.
IT responsibilities: maintain records, enter data into Trust IT systems and use e‑mail and internet for information access.
General: uphold professional standards, CPD, supervision and record keeping, maintain knowledge of legislation and policies.

Person Specification

Training and qualifications (Essential)

• Post‑graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• DBT British Isles Training to the level of Foundation and Upgrade sufficient to enable accreditation.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner clinical or counselling psychologist.

Desirable

• Post‑Graduate Diploma in DBT Accredited DBT Therapist.
• Additional training in other psychotherapies such as CBT, CBTp, FI, DBT, MBT, CAT, EMDR and ACT.

Experience (Essential)

• Assessed experience of working as a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist in a CMHT or similar complex care service working with patients with complexity and co‑morbidity.
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and treatment, both as a professionally qualified care coordinator and within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision.
• Experience delivering adherent DBT.

Desirable

• Experience representing Psychology within multi‑disciplinary care.
• Experience assessing and treating clients across the full range of care settings.
• Experience supervising other mental health staff.

Knowledge and Skills (Essential)

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.
• Well‑developed communication skills – orally and in writing, highly technical, clinically sensitive to clients and others.
• Skills in providing consultation to professional and non‑professional groups.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Knowledge of legislation and policy in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service application is required to check for any previous convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Hathaway House, 7F Woodfield Road, London, W9 2BA

Website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)