Counsellor

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh seeks experienced counsellors to provide individual counselling for students both in-person and online. The role offers part-time hours (21 hours per week during semester time) and requires accreditation. Join a diverse team and enjoy comprehensive staff benefits including a competitive salary and flexible work options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Defined benefits pension scheme

Flexible work options

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Qualified and experienced in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Accreditation with BACP or working towards it.
• Experience delivering therapy remotely.

Responsibilities

• Deliver individual counselling to students, in-person and remotely.
• Work as part of a large counselling team.
• Manage therapeutic decisions based on organizational context.

Skills

Professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy

Counsellor/psychotherapist accreditation with BACP

Skilled in brief therapy delivery

Knowledge of adolescent development

Experience in higher education setting

Job description

Overview

Grade UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum pro-rata

Student Services / Student Counselling Service

Guaranteed Hours: 21 hours per week, Semester time (September to May)

Open-ended: permanent

Vacancies Available: 3

Applications are invited from qualified, experienced counsellors and psychotherapists to undertake both individual counselling with students, in-person and remotely, in this busy and well-respected multi-disciplinary service.

The Opportunity

You will have the opportunity to work as part of a large team, and it will help to have a clear understanding of how the organisational context impacts on therapeutic decisions.

The post is working during semester time (September to May) on a part time basis, equivalent (21 hours per week) and would be expected to work 3 days per week, at least 2 days per week on campus.

The role is contracted on a ‘Guaranteed offer of hours’ on a sessional basis (working September to May), and the hourly rate includes an annual leave allowance.

The University Counselling Service is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Your skills and attributes for success

• A professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy with relevant post-qualifying experience.
• Have Counsellor/psychotherapist accreditation with BACP (or other PSA registered body) or working towards accreditation.
• Skilled in practicing brief therapy and in delivering therapy remotely (online and by telephone).
• Knowledge of adolescent development and risk assessment.
• Have a clear understanding of how the organisational context impacts on therapeutic decisions.
• Experience of working with students in a higher education setting is desirable.

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Application documents

• CV
• Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on the right to work webpages.

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing dates for applications is 14th October 2025

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held in the week beginning 20th October 2025.