Specialist Art Psychotherapist

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

Job summary

A prominent health service provider in the UK seeks an Art Psychotherapist for 22.5 hours per week. The role involves providing psychotherapy on inpatient acute mental health wards, contributing to a psychologically safe environment, and engaging in research. Candidates must have a master's degree in Art Psychotherapy and significant experience in this field. Competitive salary range of £56,276 to £63,176 per annum. The position is based in Greater London, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Masters (or equivalent) in Art Psychotherapy required.
• Significant post qualification experience with complex mental health needs.
• Experience of working with arts and health practitioners.

Responsibilities

• Provide Art Psychotherapy on inpatient acute Mental Health wards.
• Contribute to create a psychologically safe environment.
• Undertake service evaluation, audit, and research.

Skills

Understanding of arts process and practice

Knowledge of legislation related to mental health

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Ability to identify clinical governance mechanisms

Education

Masters in Art Psychotherapy

Registered as an Arts Therapist with the HCPC

Evidence of CPD

Job description

Go back South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Art Psychotherapist

The closing date is 15 February 2026

We are seeking an Art Psychotherapist to join the well established Arts Therapies Department at Lambeth Hospital, SLaM.

Tues/Wed/Thurs preferred due to inpatient service needs.

Main duties of the job

This post is for 22.5hrs (0.60 wte) per week covering Arts Therapies provision across adult inpatient acute wards at Lambeth Hospital with an expected move to The Maudsley Hospital in 2026.

Regular Line Management and Clinical Supervision will be provided within the service.

To provide a specialist Art Psychotherapy open group service on adult acute inpatient wards within Lambeth Hospital which may include the Challenging Behaviour Unit including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To develop the profile of Arts Therapies through the informal supervision of arts therapy trainees.

To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate to role.

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within professional and registration body (Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and codes of conduct, guided by the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor.

About us

The post will initially be based at Lambeth Hospital and will be relocated to the Maudsley

Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2). We also provide services and operate across other locations, such as London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; and substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Lambeth, Greenwich and Wandsworth.

Job responsibilities

To provide Art Psychotherapy on inpatient acute Mental Health wards

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To develop the profile of Arts therapies

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within professional and registration body (Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by the policies and procedures of the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters (or equivalent) in Art Psychotherapy
• Registered as an Arts Therapist with the HCPC
• Evidence of CPD

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience including experience of individual and group Art Psychotherapy with people with complex mental health needs.
• Experience of working with issues of risk and safety both physical and relational.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working.
• Experience working with arts and health practitioners including arts Therapies trainees (Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement trainees)

Knowledge and skills

• Understanding of arts process and practice and its therapeutic application.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues and child protection.
• Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.

Evaluations

• and experience of data collection
• Experience of evaluations

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.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£56,276 to £63,176 a yearper annum inclusive of HCAs pro rata