Psychological Therapist (Ipt) - Nhs Talking Therapies

Somerset Nhs Foundation Trust; Wedmore; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a qualified Psychotherapist or Counsellor for the Bridgwater team within NHS Talking Therapies. You will deliver IPT‑based therapy to adults with depression, anxiety and long‑term conditions, both face‑to‑face and via video, in a supportive, high‑performing service.

You’ll join a multi‑professional workforce, with opportunities for professional growth, supervision, and involvement in service development within an integrated care framework.

Qualifications

• IPT training or willingness to train in IPT
• Experience delivering psychological therapy in NHS Talking Therapies
• Commitment to evidence‑based, person‑centred care

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals and carry out thorough clinical assessments
• Deliver structured, evidence‑based Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
• Create focused, time‑limited treatment plans for patients
• Involve families or support networks where appropriate
• Maintain a consistent caseload and timely access to treatment
• Support supervision, governance and continuous service development

Skills

IPT knowledge

NHS Talking Therapies experience

Collaborative team working

Education

Diploma or higher in counselling

Accreditation with BACP/UKCP/BPS/NCS/HCPC

Job description

Job summary

Are you a qualified Psychotherapist or Counsellor looking to make a real difference? Join our welcoming Bridgwater team within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, where your expertise will help transform the lives of people experiencing depression, anxiety, and long‑term health conditions.

You’ll deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based therapy as part of a supportive, high‑performing service known for achieving some of the best recovery outcomes in the country. You’ll work within a collaborative environment, with strong links across primary care, community services, and the voluntary sector.

NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is a high‑performing service with one of the best recovery rates in the country. We have excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care through the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. As part of our multi‑professional workforce in primary care, you will support adults experiencing depression, anxiety and long‑term health conditions, offering therapy both face‑to‑face and via video link.

We also welcome applications from qualified psychotherapists who are accredited with a recognised professional body (BACP, UKCP) and are willing to undertake Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) training. Successful candidates will be appointed at Band 6 until they have completed the required training and achieved qualification.

For more information on training and suitability: https://www.annafreud.org/training/courses/interpersonal-psychotherapy-practitioner-training-ipt/

Main duties of the job

You’ll play a vital role in supporting adults with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, helping them move towards recovery through structured, evidence‑based interventions. Whether working one‑to‑one or with groups, your focus will be on creating meaningful therapeutic relationships that empower people to make lasting changes.

You’ll regularly connect with GPs, primary care teams, community mental health services, and voluntary sector partners, ensuring that each person receives the right support at the right time. This integrated approach means you’ll see the real impact of your work beyond the therapy room.

• Managing a consistent caseload and maintaining accessibility of therapy for patients
• Supporting stepped care pathways, including appropriate step‑up and step‑down decisions
• Keeping up to date with best practice, guidelines, and ongoing professional development

You’ll be supported to grow professionally, with opportunities to expand your skills, contribute to service improvements, and develop supervisory or leadership responsibilities over time.

What You’ll Bring

• Accreditation as an Interpersonal Psychotherapist (IPTUK) or willing and able to train
• Experience delivering psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies setting (or similar)
• A passion for delivering compassionate, person‑centred care
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy clinical workload
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long‑term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS‑specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away – and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all – the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted: 21 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 184-OL-GR-5090

Job responsibilities

Communication and Collaborative Working

• Work closely with your team, including therapists, clinical leads, and service managers, contributing to shared goals and delivering excellent patient outcomes
• Build strong relationships with GPs, primary care networks, community mental health teams, and voluntary sector partners, helping to create a seamless and integrated care experience for patients
• Offer professional guidance around psychological therapies, sharing your expertise to support colleagues and wider services

Clinical Practice and Patient Care

• Manage referrals and carry out thorough clinical assessments, developing clear formulations to guide effective treatment
• Deliver structured, evidence‑based Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), supporting individuals and, where appropriate, groups
• Create focused, time‑limited treatment plans that empower patients to achieve meaningful change
• Sensitively involve families or support networks where appropriate, ensuring a holistic approach to care
• Manage a consistent caseload, balancing assessments and therapy sessions to maintain timely access to treatment
• Make clinically informed decisions within a stepped care model, ensuring patients receive the right level of support and are smoothly transitioned when needs change

Service Delivery and Quality

• Contribute to achieving key performance targets by maintaining high clinical standards and ensuring efficient use of appointments
• Participate in audits, service evaluations, and feedback processes, using insights to continuously improve care
• Support the ongoing development of the service, helping to shape best practice and innovative approaches to therapy delivery

Professional Practice and Development

• Maintain high standards of clinical governance, ensuring your practice aligns with professional, ethical, and NHS guidelines
• Actively engage in clinical supervision, case discussions, and performance reviews to continually develop your skills
• Keep up to date with the latest evidence‑based approaches and developments within NHS Talking Therapies
• Take ownership of your continuing professional development, with opportunities to expand your expertise and progress your career

Administration and Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records using digital systems, ensuring all patient interactions and outcomes are clearly documented
• Manage your workload effectively, keeping on top of documentation, appointments, and administrative tasks within required timeframes

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Accreditation with the BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS, HCPC or equivalent.
• Practitioner qualification/accreditation in NHS Talking Therapies‑compliant counselling modality: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
• Diploma or higher award in counselling or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach.
• Good record of Continuing Professional Development in an IAPT‑compliant counselling modality and willingness to continue this.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another IAPT‑compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfD
• Qualification and experience as a supervisor in a NHS Talking Therapies modality

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (or IAPT) service
• Experience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Ongoing supervision and current psychological therapy work

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience of line managing clinical or non‑clinical staff

Additional Criteria (Essential)

• Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Glanville House, Church Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager: Helen Maharaj
[e-mail]

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on request.