High Intensity Therapist

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service in London is seeking a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist. You will deliver psychological assessments and treatments for depression and anxiety within a supportive team. The ideal candidate has a doctoral degree in psychology and is experienced in NHS Talking Therapies. The position offers a full-time contract with a salary of £56,276 to £63,176 per year, and requires working flexible shifts to accommodate client needs.

Qualifications

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment within an NHS Talking Therapies service.
• Ability to provide consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Skills in assessment and evaluation of clinical risk.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 20 attended clinical contacts per week.
• Provide specialist psychological therapy assessments.
• Communicate assessment and treatment plans clearly.

Skills

Psychological assessment skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies

Education

Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology

Accreditation as cognitive behavioural psychotherapist

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist to join our committed and friendly team of clinicians.

Wandsworth Talking Therapies service for Wandsworth offers evidenced-based psychological treatments, including CBT, IPT, DIT, NET, EMDR and BCT to its residents. The service is led by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with operational management by a Clinical Manager. The team provides evidence-based psychological treatments for depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD within a stepped-care model. The clinical team includes qualified TT High Intensity CBT Therapists, Clinical and Counselling Psychologists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, in line with NICE guidance.

The service operates from 8am - 8pm Monday to Thursday, and Friday 8-5pm. Shift patterns are 8am-4pm and 12noon-8pm; the post holder will work flexibly. Typical pattern for full-time staff is two days 12-8pm and three days 8-4pm, with negotiating flexibility to support work/life balance.

Desirable additional qualifications include completing a TT top-up course (e.g., Long term conditions training) or accreditation in another modality such as IPT.

Details

Location: Wandsworth Talking Therapies, 56 Garratt Terrace, London SW17 0RN

Band: 7 | Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 per year (including inner London HCAS) | Contract: Fixed term | Duration: 12 months | Working pattern: Full-time

Date posted: 25 September 2025

Responsibilities

1. Deliver 20 attended clinical contacts per week.
2. Provide specialist psychological therapy assessments using integrated data from self-report measures, rating scales, observations and structured interviews with clients and involved persons.
3. Provide at least one NICE-recommended psychological therapy for anxiety disorders and/or depression.
4. Formulate and implement plans for formal psychological treatment and/or management of clients’ mental health problems based on an evidence-based framework.
5. Be knowledgeable about DSM-V diagnoses and skilled in differential diagnosis of clinical disorders.
6. Clinically formulate clients’ problems and develop Step 3 treatment/management plans based on evidence-based methods.
7. Apply CBT treatment strategies flexibly across disorders, including group interventions.
8. Deliver psychological interventions for individuals, couples, carers and groups; refine formulations as needed.
9. Use specific psychological therapies for anxiety and/or depression at a specialist level in assessments and interventions (1:1 and group).
10. Evaluate treatment options considering theoretical/therapeutic models and complex factors shaping individuals/couples/groups.
11. Exercise autonomous professional responsibility for assessment, treatment and discharge within standard care plans.
12. Provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals to support diagnosis, formulation and treatment planning.
13. Undertake risk assessment and risk management per service policy; advise on psychological aspects of risk management.
14. Communicate assessment, formulation and treatment plans clearly; monitor progress throughout treatment.
15. Assess and communicate highly complex or sensitive information (e.g., suitability for services; safeguarding concerns).
16. Support the treatment team with expertise to enable effective psychological care.

Person Specification

Essential knowledge and skills

• Psychological assessment skills and DSM-V based diagnostic assessment.
• High-level knowledge of one or more NHS Talking Therapies recognised therapies.
• Ability to use complex methods of psychological assessment and intervention requiring sustained concentration.
• Knowledge of effective care pathway navigation across primary and secondary care psychological therapies.
• Skills in assessment and evaluation of clinical risk.
• Well-developed communication skills for complex, technical, and clinically sensitive information to clients, families, carers and professionals.
• Ability to provide consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of literature on common mental disorders and their treatment in Talking Therapies.
• Knowledge of adapting therapies for co-morbidity and complexity (e.g., personality disorder, additional disabilities).
• Knowledge of research methodology and multivariate data analysis in clinical psychology.

Experience

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment within an NHS Talking Therapies service.
• Experience with diverse client groups and managing highly emotive and distressing situations, including potential verbal or physical abuse.
• Experience establishing DSM-V diagnoses and clinical formulation.
• Experience in assessment and treatment of common mental health problems using evidence-based therapies, particularly CBT.
• Experience working with one or more NHS Talking Therapies recognised therapies at a specialist level.

Desirable experience

• Post-qualification experience in primary care settings.
• Experience running Step 3 therapy groups.
• Experience across outpatient, community and primary care settings within Talking Therapies.

Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent) accredited by the BPS; or equivalent training recognised by the HCPC leading to registration as Clinical or Counselling Psychologist; or post-graduate level training in an evidence-based psychological therapy from an accredited NHS Talking Therapies course.
• Accredited as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist by BABCP or eligible for accreditation within one year; or NHS Talking Therapies specified accreditations (BACP, UKCP, ACC, NCS, BPC).

Desirable qualifications

• Training in supervision of Step 2 clinicians (GMHWs and PWPs).
• Training in working with long-term conditions.
• Accredited in another therapy modality (e.g., EMDR).

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. UK registration with current professional status is required. This post may require skilled worker sponsorship where applicable. See recruitment information for details.

Employer details

Employer: South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

Address: Wandsworth Talking Therapies, 56 Garratt Terrace, London, SW17 0RN