EMDR Therapist (EYE-D Trial)

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

Join an innovative research team at NHS to provide EMDR therapy as part of a multi-centre trial aimed at establishing therapy efficacy for depression. This part-time role offers the opportunity to contribute to important mental health research and requires accredited experience in EMDR.

Qualifications

• Accredited as EMDR Practitioner with EMDR Europe.
• Core professional training in a psychological therapy required.
• Experience in delivering therapy for mood disorders necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct EMDR therapy as part of a research trial.
• Manage a caseload of patients in a flexible schedule.
• Keep methodical records and negotiate therapy lengths with patients.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Evidence-based Practices

Clinical Governance Understanding

Education

Postgraduate degree in Psychological Therapy

Accreditation as EMDR Practitioner with EMDR Europe

Job description

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for two or three experienced EMDR therapists to join the research team working on a large multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) led from the University of Bristol. It is funded by the NIHR Efficacy and Mechanisms Evaluation (EME) scheme.

The EYE-D trial aims to establish the efficacy of EMDR (in addition to usual GP care) compared with usual care for patients with depression in primary care. An embedded mechanistic study will aim to determine whether reductions in depression are mediated by key memory-processing mechanisms and if working memory capacity is associated with treatment response. A nested qualitative study will examinethe acceptability of EMDR for depression, further explore mechanisms, and identify possible causes of differing responses. We will also estimate the cost of delivering EMDR in the NHS.

The EMDR practitioner will be an EMDR-Europe accredited practitioner with core professional training in a psychological therapy.

Two or three part-time posts are available (1.4 FTE total, with individual posts offered on at least a 0.4FTE basis).

The post is available from 01 October 2025.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will primarily work within the context of a large multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT), which is funded by the NIHR Efficacy and Mechanisms Evaluation (EME) scheme. The EYE-D trial (EMDR for depression) is led from the University of Bristol and is being run in collaboration with the University of Exeter and University College London.

The EMDR practitioners will work using the EMDR for depression (DeprEnd) protocol. Training in this protocol and regular expert supervision will be provided. Initial training will be provided during the first two months of employment, including two training cases, together with training in trial protocols and procedures.

Each patient will be offered a course of 12-18 sessions. All sessions will take place in-person at the patients GP surgery, other local NHS premises or the University depending on room availability. Therapists will be reimbursed for expenses incurred in travelling to deliver therapy in line with University policies.

About us

Bristol Medical School is the largest and one of the most diverse Schools in the University of Bristol, with approximately 1,100 members of staff, 1,350 undergraduate, 350 postgraduate taught and 300 postgraduate doctoral research students. The Head of School is Professor Chrissie Thirlwell. The School has two departments: Population Health Sciences and Translational Health Sciences. The School is a leading centre for research and teaching across these areas. Research in the School is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, with staff coming from a wide range of academic disciplines and clinical specialties.

Details Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£42,882 to £48,149 a year pro rata (part-time)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

30 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

N0049-SUPP112518

Job locations

University Of Bristol

39 Whatley Road

Bristol

BS8 2PS

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for a detailed breakdown of the role, such as main job purpose, standard responsibilities, pre-employment checks, and person specification.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for a detailed breakdown of the role, such as main job purpose, standard responsibilities, pre-employment checks, and person specification.

Person Specification Other skills Essential

• Ability to manage a caseload, keep records methodically and to negotiate with each client the appropriate length of therapy (with input from supervisor)
• An understanding of clinical governance and evidence based practices
• Evidence of sustained continuing professional development and practice in EMDR
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to communicate sensitive information in highly emotional circumstances to patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• IT literate and proficient
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly according to the requirements of the role
• Able to travel independently of the public transport system around Bristol and nearby regions (including Somerset, BANES and Gloucestershire) as required for successful delivery of the trial.

Desirable

• Ability and willingness to offer therapy outside standard office hours (e.g. early evening 5-8pm)

Experience Essential

• Knowledge and experience of delivering EMDR (including complex presentations)
• Full range of skills and competences as laid out in the competence framework for EMDR (Roth, Pilling & Dudley, 2020)
• Highly specialized clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of people with trauma-related presentations
• Substantial experience of working with people with mental health problems, particularly mood and/or anxiety/stress-related disorders

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in a research setting
• Experience of delivering EMDR for mood disorders

Qualifications Essential

• Core professional training in a psychological therapy e.g. a postgraduate degree/clinical qualification e.g. DClinPsych or equivalent or alternative professional qualification in CBT or other NHS compliant psychological therapy (interpersonal therapy (IPT); dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) or counselling) and experience of delivering therapy
• Accredited as EMDR Practitioner with EMDR Europe

Desirable

• Further postgraduate qualifications (e.g. clinically relevant PhD) or training in relevant areas e.g. professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design/analysis)

Person Specification Other skills Essential

• Ability to manage a caseload, keep records methodically and to negotiate with each client the appropriate length of therapy (with input from supervisor)
• An understanding of clinical governance and evidence based practices
• Evidence of sustained continuing professional development and practice in EMDR
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to communicate sensitive information in highly emotional circumstances to patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• IT literate and proficient
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly according to the requirements of the role
• Able to travel independently of the public transport system around Bristol and nearby regions (including Somerset, BANES and Gloucestershire) as required for successful delivery of the trial.

Desirable

• Ability and willingness to offer therapy outside standard office hours (e.g. early evening 5-8pm)

Experience Essential

• Knowledge and experience of delivering EMDR (including complex presentations)
• Full range of skills and competences as laid out in the competence framework for EMDR (Roth, Pilling & Dudley, 2020)
• Highly specialized clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of people with trauma-related presentations
• Substantial experience of working with people with mental health problems, particularly mood and/or anxiety/stress-related disorders

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in a research setting
• Experience of delivering EMDR for mood disorders

Qualifications Essential

• Core professional training in a psychological therapy e.g. a postgraduate degree/clinical qualification e.g. DClinPsych or equivalent or alternative professional qualification in CBT or other NHS compliant psychological therapy (interpersonal therapy (IPT); dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) or counselling) and experience of delivering therapy
• Accredited as EMDR Practitioner with EMDR Europe

Desirable

• Further postgraduate qualifications (e.g. clinically relevant PhD) or training in relevant areas e.g. professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design/analysis)

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

University of Bristol

Address

University Of Bristol

39 Whatley Road

Bristol

BS8 2PS

Employer's website

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

University of Bristol

Address

University Of Bristol

39 Whatley Road

Bristol

BS8 2PS

Employer's website

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/ (Opens in a new tab)