Senior Clinical Counselling Psychologist/Senior Psy Therapist

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking dedicated clinicians to enhance their Therapies pathway. This role focuses on providing specialist psychological interventions for clients with complex emotional needs, including trauma and personality disorders. The successful candidate will lead a team in delivering evidence-based therapies and will have the opportunity to shape service development. With a strong emphasis on patient-centered care, this position offers a collaborative environment where professionals can thrive and make a significant impact on mental health services. Join a team that values diversity and is committed to outstanding patient care.

Qualifications

• Expertise in psychological assessment and intervention for complex mental health issues.
• Ability to supervise and train colleagues in psychological treatment approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist MBT psychological input to service users referred to the team.
• Collaborate with leads within the Mental Health Hub for effective service delivery.

Skills

Verbal Therapy

Art-based Therapy

Complex Mental Health Assessment

Risk Assessment

Crisis Management

Education

Doctoral training in clinical/counselling psychology

Registered qualification in a health or allied health profession

Anna Freud basic and practitioner MBT training

Job description

Job summary

This role is based within the Therapies pathway at the Hub. Therapies provide interventions in a stepped care approach for various needs, including mood problems, trauma, psychosis, and complex emotional needs (such as personality disorder diagnoses). We have an established team working specifically with clients presenting complex emotional needs, delivering MBT verbal, MBT art, and DBT.

This post is essential for supporting the MBT programme within our Therapies team. Responsibilities include supervising MBT staff, managing waiting lists, supporting service development, and leading those newer to this model. Skills in verbal or art-based therapies are valued. You will be supported by a team that values reflectivity, challenges, and prioritizes service user care.

Please note, this role requires clinicians to have both basic and practitioner MBT training.

Main duties of the job

• To provide specialist MBT psychological/therapeutic input to service users referred to the team.
• To collaborate with leads within the Mental Health Hub and other areas of the mental health service across Milton Keynes.
• To develop and deliver brief and long-term psychological interventions for service users.
• To evaluate and audit the team's effectiveness in reducing hospital admissions and length of stay.
• To supervise colleagues where appropriate.
• To develop structures and skills for mental health workers to 'think psychologically' as a core treatment philosophy.

About us

We are committed to delivering patient-centered, safe, and effective care across various settings. Our focus is on employing outstanding staff who will go the extra mile for patients and support career development. We value diversity and offer opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities, and more.

Date posted

30 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours

Reference number

333-D-MK-MH-1242-A

Job locations

Milton Keynes Community Mental Health Hub, Stantonbury Health Centre, Purbeck, Milton Keynes, MK14 6BL

Job description

Provide specialist MBT assessments, interpret complex data, and formulate treatment plans.

Exercise autonomous responsibility for psychological treatment and management based on understanding the client's problems within their family and wider system.

Act as a senior clinician, working with complex cases requiring specialist treatment.

Undertake risk assessments and manage risks, considering significant relationships.

Implement psychological interventions aligned with NICE guidelines, adjusting formulations and hypotheses as needed.

Person Specification

• Doctoral training in clinical/counselling psychology, including models of psychopathology, psychometrics, neuropsychology, and development psychology, accredited by the BPS.
• Anna Freud basic and practitioner MBT training.
• Registered qualification in a health or allied health profession (e.g., nurse, social worker, OT, therapist).
• Current HCPC/NMC registration.

Other

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between sites.

Experience

• Complex mental health assessment and formulation, including trauma.
• Psychological work with clients with complex mental health issues, trauma, and personality disorders.
• Experience in NHS community mental health settings, secondary and tertiary care.
• Teaching, training, supervision, and group work skills.
• Experience working with caregivers/families.
• Professionalism in distressing situations, including verbal or physical abuse.
• Application of psychology/psychotherapy across cultural contexts and within multicultural frameworks.
• Risk assessment and crisis management experience.

Desirable

• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, especially joint assessment and intervention.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of psychological assessment and intervention for mental health presentations.

Additional information covers DBS checks, sponsorship, UK registration, and employer details, ensuring compliance and eligibility for applicants.