Psychological Therapist in Maternal Mental Health Service

ESSEX PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Essex seeks an experienced Psychological Therapist to support women experiencing severe mental health challenges post-birth. This role involves psychological assessments and evidence-based therapy, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and hybrid working across Colchester and coastal towns. Required qualifications include experience as a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist, emphasizing trauma and loss care.

Qualifications

• Experienced psychological therapist with experience of working with trauma and/or loss.
• Experience as a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and evidence-based therapy to women with mental health difficulties.
• Work collaboratively with specialists to provide a trauma-informed service.
• Deliver services across multiple locations in Essex using hybrid working.

Skills

Experience with trauma and loss

Psychological assessment skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology or CBT certification

Job description

Overview

The Essex Maternal Mental Health Service (MMHS), By your side launched in October 2023 aims to integrate maternity, reproductive health and psychological therapy for women and birthing parents experiencing mental health difficulties arising from, or directly related to, the maternity experience. A fully therapeutic service has been offered since June 2024 for women and birthing parents accessing the 5 maternity units across Essex.

By Your Side provides therapeutic service for accessing the 5 maternity units across Essex to women and/or birthing parents who have a moderate to severe mental health response after suffering a perinatal loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, and neonatal death (in the UK, death of a live-born baby within 28 days of birth).

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and evidence-based psychological therapy to women who experience moderate to severe mental health difficulties following birth trauma, perinatal loss (including early miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death).
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team of specialist maternal mental health midwives to provide a specialist, trauma-informed psychological service.
• Deliver services across Colchester and coastal towns (Tendering, Clacton on Sea, Manningtree, Frinton-on-Sea); hybrid working of face-to-face and online working is encouraged, with home visiting when indicated.

Role details

• Position: Psychological therapist (Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/CBT Therapist) at 0.6 WTE on a permanent basis.
• Base: Colchester and Coastal Towns, Essex (Tendering, Clacton on Sea, Manningtree, Frinton-on-Sea); may be required to work across services within the Trust area.
• Clinician support: Regular clinical supervision from the Clinical Lead/Principal Practitioner Psychologist.

Qualifications

• Experienced psychological therapist with experience of working with trauma and/or loss; experience as a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist is essential.

Additional information

• As part of your application, please include professional references with business contact information covering your last three years of employment history. Personal or character references are not accepted.
• As a newly appointed employee, you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post; the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.
• Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer; we welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services and encourage applicants with disabilities to apply.
• Please note: safeguarding and safer recruitment processes apply; staff vaccination requirements may be in place as part of pre-employment checks where applicable.