Highly Specialist Cognitive Analytic Therapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in London is seeking a Senior Cognitive Analytic Therapist to lead the CAT pathway and provide specialist care for adults. The candidate will manage waiting lists, supervise staff, and collaborate with community teams. A recognized qualification in a core mental health profession and ACAT accreditation are essential. This is a part-time permanent role with a salary up to £71,148.

Qualifications

• Evidence of working as a clinical specialist in Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
• Experience managing a waiting list for psychological assessment and treatment.
• Proven ability to deliver therapy across cultural differences.

Responsibilities

• Lead on Cognitive Analytic Therapy for complex emotional needs.
• Manage waiting lists and supervise junior staff.
• Work closely with community mental health teams.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

Well-developed IT skills

Education

Recognised qualification in a core mental health profession

ACAT accredited CAT Practitioner

Job description

Overview

Senior Cognitive Analytic Therapist (CAT) to lead our CAT pathway. This post delivers specialist psychological care to adults with complex mental health needs and is an established position in Lewisham Integrated Therapies (LIT) within the Trust.

Responsibilities

• Lead on Cognitive Analytic Therapy in Lewisham, providing CAT for complex emotional needs.
• Manage waiting lists, supervise junior staff, conduct assessments, and offer Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
• Work closely with stakeholders in community mental health teams.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) delivers specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are committed to high-quality, specialist care, and are guided by our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives, and the Our Care Improvement System for quality and improvement. We welcome applications from people with lived experience and view this as an asset to the Trust.

Requirements

Details date posted: 03 September 2025
Band: Band 8a • Salary: £64,156 to £71,148 per year (inclusive of HCAs) • Contract: Permanent • Working pattern: Part-time

Location: The Lind Clinic, Deptford, St James Road, London SE8 3RA

Job description

Please refer to the Job description document for a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Essential

• A recognised qualification in a core mental health profession (e.g., psychiatric nursing or social work, doctoral level clinical or counselling psychology) and qualified psychotherapist with demonstrable competence to practice in mental health in the NHS.
• ACAT accredited CAT Practitioner

Desirable

• ACAT accredited supervisor

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working as a clinical specialist under supervision in Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment for complex emotional needs, holding and managing a waiting list.
• Experience supervising assistants/trainees and providing clinical and managerial supervision to junior therapists.
• Experience working with community mental health teams and other stakeholders.

Knowledge

Essential

• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for treatments for complex emotional needs.
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
• Ability to deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
• Ability to select and administer specialist psychological assessments and interpret complex data from multiple sources.
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches relevant to CAT.

Skills

Essential

• Strong communication skills to convey complex information sensitively to clients, carers and colleagues; ability to overcome barriers related to sensory, emotional, cultural differences and hostility to information.
• Ability to plan and schedule assessments and interventions for individuals, groups and carers.
• Ability to allocate tasks to assistants/trainees as appropriate.
• Well-developed IT skills for data entry and analysis; consultancy skills to work with multi-professional teams.

Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to team functioning.
• Ability to identify and apply clinical governance mechanisms where appropriate.
• Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations (e.g., trauma, self-harm, aggression).

Compliance and application details

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For sponsorship and overseas checks, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration guidance and NHS Careers website.

Employer: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Employer address: The Lind Clinic, Deptford, St James Road, London SE8 3RA. Website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/