Specialist Practitioner Psychologist/CBT Therapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Greater London is hiring a Band 7 Practitioner Psychologist or CBT Therapist. This role involves providing direct and indirect psychological support within the Assertive Outreach team, with responsibilities including individual and family work, consultation, and supervision. The ideal candidate will have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and be committed to trauma-informed care practices. Join a renowned organization dedicated to high-quality mental health services.

Qualifications

• Doctorate level training in Clinical Psychology or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience in providing direct psychological therapy in a mental health context.
• Ability to support and lead initiatives in trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect psychological input primarily within the Assertive Outreach team.
• Deliver individual, family/network, and group work.
• Consult, train, and supervise trainee clinical psychologists.

Skills

Direct psychological input

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Supervision experience

Consultation skills

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent

Job description

Band 7 Practitioner Psychologist or CBT Therapist – Southwark Assertive Outreach Team

Although the postholder will be primarily based within the Assertive Outreach Team, they will provide some psychological input across the two Community Rehabilitation branches.

The three Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Team (AORT) branches provide enhanced support for people with a severe and enduring mental health problem, either due to their needs not being met within a traditional community team or because the service user has been placed within a block‑funded rehabilitation placement within the borough. A range of psychological therapies are offered by the psychology and psychotherapy team within AORT and, although NICE guidelines constitute the core offer (e.g., CBT for psychosis, Family Interventions for service users with a schizophrenia‑spectrum diagnosis), flexibility, creativity and practice‑based evidence are supported. This has included psychodynamic psychotherapy, systemic practices and Open Dialogue.

We are currently in the process of implementing a community services development plan in line with the NHS Long‑Term Plan, which will mean that the assertive outreach function will be integrated within neighbourhood teams. We are therefore looking for someone who can work effectively within a changing operational landscape.

The post holder will provide specialist and flexible direct and indirect psychological input primarily within the Assertive Outreach team, but also within the other two AORT branches. Direct work will include individual, family/network and group work. Indirect work will involve consultation, training and provision of supervision where appropriate (e.g., trainee clinical psychologists, MSc students on clinical placement).

Each AORT branch has team formulation meetings underpinned by the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), which is a key part of the strategy to embed trauma‑informed care within the teams. The postholder will be expected to support and lead on this ambition within AORT. They will have the opportunity to take advantage of supervision groups and/or special interest groups.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well‑established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to providing high‑quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.

We launched our five‑year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will have the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey, supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The Trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them an asset to the Trust.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist and flexible direct and indirect psychological input primarily within the Assertive Outreach team, and within the other two AORT branches.
• Deliver individual, family/network and group work.
• Consult, train and supervise where appropriate – for example, trainee clinical psychologists and MSc students on clinical placement.
• Support and lead the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) initiative within AORT, embedding trauma‑informed care.
• Participate in supervision groups and special interest groups to further professional development.

Contact Information

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Isaac Akande Job title: Principal Clinical Psychologist Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 0203 228 9454