High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling Trainee (PCE-CfD pathway)

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in London seeks candidates for a three-year training role as High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellors. The successful applicants will undergo extensive training while working with clients, focusing on mental health recovery. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and counseling certificate, along with strong communication and team skills. This role involves both in-person and online training components, blending work with study commitments.

Benefits

NHS Discounts

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence.
• Experience of having worked with clients with mental health difficulties.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals and assess service users with mild to moderate depression.
• Deliver time-limited counselling interventions following NHS protocols.
• Maintain client records and clinical activity as per service requirements.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team working

Listening and emotional understanding

IT skills

Ability to integrate training into practice

Meeting academic demands

Education

Recognised degree at 2:2 or above

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Job description

Job summary

This post is part of NHS funded three-year Talking Therapies High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling training programme in Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD)delivered by the Metanoia Institure. Trainees will be attending their university course alongside their duties within Islington NHS Talking therapies (TT).

These posts are recruit to train positions and so you need to apply to this job advertand apply to the PCE-CfD NHS Psychotherapeutic Counselling programme at Metanoia Institute through the Metanoia website link https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://eu-quercus.elluciancloud.com/app/met/f?p=PV_ONLINE_APP:101::::APP:APP_COURSE_INSTANCE:49357998&data=05|02|[e-mail]|72fb71f2079247bd685e08ddc2dba6f5|37c354b285b047f5b22207b48d774ee3|0|0|638880971183745046|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==|0|||&sdata=hkmxnZVX+Vvy3SbxBhHKPX2XSevIDNlyI5XNmVLHDHs=&reserved=0

PGDip: Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression

Main duties of the job

This is a three-year NHS Talking Therapies training role working towards a qualification as a High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Year one is a Band 5 foundation course. Upon successful completion, the candidate progresses to a two-year fixed-term Band 6 position in High-Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling.

Training involves 3 days per week with the training organisation (Metanoia Institute) and 2 days per week in-service working with clients, initially offering high intensity psychodynamic counselling and later Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD). The course will be a mixture of in person training and online live input via the zoom platform. As this is a Postgraduate level diploma, you will also be required to be able to study and write academic material at this level. Applicants must be prepared to study and write assignments outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work).

This role will be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a busy work and study schedule.

Successful applicants will need to be in a position to begin their training at the end of September 2025.

About us

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.

With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all

We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
• Excellent internal staff network

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Details Date posted

30 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£37,259 to £45,356 a year Per annum including HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

455-NLFT-0307

Job locations

Islington

10 Manor Gardens, N7 6JS and/or Finsbury Health Centre EC1R 0LP and/or Islington GP surgeries

Islington, London

N7 6JS

Job description Job responsibilities

As this is a training position, please be aware that this is a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice-versa. If you are ineligible for the University Course, you will be unable to be offered the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course. Trainee selection processes including shortlisting and interviews will be carried out jointly by recruiting IAPT services and Metanoia Institute. Successful applicants will need to meet both the requirements of the employing services job description and person specification and the Metanoia Institutes entry requirements.

Please note that when you apply to this role, your name will be shared with Metanoia. The service will usually be the Course Teams main way of contacting you until you have been sent an Offer, and so the Course Team at Metanoia may ask for information if it is missing but relevant to deciding eligibility.

Other information that might be shared includes:

• Reason behind ineligibility for the course.

• Queries regarding application (such as if you claim to have a professional registration without submitting certificates, the course may ask service to pursue more information)

• Name change if you may have registered with a different name than HEI was given, they will confirm with service to ensure that they are reviewing the correct candidate.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at Metanoia and the Recruitment team at the Service. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

Detailed job description

3.1Clinical responsibilities

3.1.1 To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.

3.1.2 Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in NHS TTad services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an NHS TTad stepped care setting and in line with the NHS TTad Manual.

3.1.3 Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

3.1.4 Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.

3.1.5 Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.

3.1.6 Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the NHS TTad Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.

3.1.7 Adhere to an agreed level of activity relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

3.1.8 Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.

3.1.9 Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

3.1.10 Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach within the NHS TTad Service.

3.1.11 Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

3.1.12 To agree confidentiality boundaries with patients (working within professional codes of ethics and those of the employer).

3.1.13 To undertake risk assessments and take the appropriate action (possibly breaching patient confidentiality in the interests of the client or as dictated by legislation and service policy).

3.1.14 To have a caseload of individual clients (or couples if undertaking the Couple Therapy for Depression pathway), with sessions offered in person, via video consultation or telephone.

3.1.15 Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.

3.1.16 Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

3.1.17 Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

3.2 Training and Supervision

3.2.1 Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice based assessments.

3.2.2 Apply learning from the training programme in practice.

3.2.3 Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

3.2.4 Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

3.2.5 Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.

3.2.6 Engage in and respond to clinical skills development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.

3.2.7 Attend organisational mandatory training as required by the employer, relevant to your role.

3.2.8. Undertake training and continued professional development as appropriate to the role.

3.2.9 Trainees will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. The therapy must be in the overarching theoretical orientation of the training (i.e. humanistic/person-centred or psychoanalytic/psychodynamic).

Job description Job responsibilities

As this is a training position, please be aware that this is a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice-versa. If you are ineligible for the University Course, you will be unable to be offered the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course. Trainee selection processes including shortlisting and interviews will be carried out jointly by recruiting IAPT services and Metanoia Institute. Successful applicants will need to meet both the requirements of the employing services job description and person specification and the Metanoia Institutes entry requirements.

Please note that when you apply to this role, your name will be shared with Metanoia. The service will usually be the Course Teams main way of contacting you until you have been sent an Offer, and so the Course Team at Metanoia may ask for information if it is missing but relevant to deciding eligibility.

Other information that might be shared includes:

• Reason behind ineligibility for the course.

• Queries regarding application (such as if you claim to have a professional registration without submitting certificates, the course may ask service to pursue more information)

• Name change if you may have registered with a different name than HEI was given, they will confirm with service to ensure that they are reviewing the correct candidate.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at Metanoia and the Recruitment team at the Service. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

Detailed job description

3.1Clinical responsibilities

3.1.1 To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.

3.1.2 Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in NHS TTad services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an NHS TTad stepped care setting and in line with the NHS TTad Manual.

3.1.3 Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

3.1.4 Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.

3.1.5 Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.

3.1.6 Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the NHS TTad Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.

3.1.7 Adhere to an agreed level of activity relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

3.1.8 Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.

3.1.9 Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

3.1.10 Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach within the NHS TTad Service.

3.1.11 Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

3.1.12 To agree confidentiality boundaries with patients (working within professional codes of ethics and those of the employer).

3.1.13 To undertake risk assessments and take the appropriate action (possibly breaching patient confidentiality in the interests of the client or as dictated by legislation and service policy).

3.1.14 To have a caseload of individual clients (or couples if undertaking the Couple Therapy for Depression pathway), with sessions offered in person, via video consultation or telephone.

3.1.15 Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.

3.1.16 Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

3.1.17 Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

3.2 Training and Supervision

3.2.1 Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice based assessments.

3.2.2 Apply learning from the training programme in practice.

3.2.3 Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

3.2.4 Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

3.2.5 Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.

3.2.6 Engage in and respond to clinical skills development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.

3.2.7 Attend organisational mandatory training as required by the employer, relevant to your role.

3.2.8. Undertake training and continued professional development as appropriate to the role.

3.2.9 Trainees will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. The therapy must be in the overarching theoretical orientation of the training (i.e. humanistic/person-centred or psychoanalytic/psychodynamic).

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• oRecognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.
• oCompleted a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not acceptable.

Experience Essential

• Experience of having worked or volunteered with clients with mental health difficulties

Skills Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) with a range of audiences (e.g. patients, clients, colleagues)
• Demonstrate excellent team working skills
• Ability to listen to others, understand their perspective and reflect on your own responses, both your emotional ones as well as your actions
• Ability to use IT in the workplace, to communicate, keep notes & collect data.
• Ability to integrate training into practice
• Ability to meet the academic and intellectual demands of the course

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• oRecognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.
• oCompleted a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not acceptable.

Experience Essential

• Experience of having worked or volunteered with clients with mental health difficulties

Skills Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) with a range of audiences (e.g. patients, clients, colleagues)
• Demonstrate excellent team working skills
• Ability to listen to others, understand their perspective and reflect on your own responses, both your emotional ones as well as your actions
• Ability to use IT in the workplace, to communicate, keep notes & collect data.
• Ability to integrate training into practice
• Ability to meet the academic and intellectual demands of the course

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

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.

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

North London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Islington

10 Manor Gardens, N7 6JS and/or Finsbury Health Centre EC1R 0LP and/or Islington GP surgeries

Islington, London

N7 6JS

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

North London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Islington

10 Manor Gardens, N7 6JS and/or Finsbury Health Centre EC1R 0LP and/or Islington GP surgeries

Islington, London

N7 6JS

Employer's website

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