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Job overview
The N&S CAMHS DBT Service is looking for an experienced and committed CAMHS practitioner to join our established Dialectical Behaviour Therapy team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join us in delivering a high-quality, evidence-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme with young people and their parents and carers. There are also opportunities to be involved in our active programme of research and service evaluation, as well as teaching, supervision and consultation to other NHS teams.
We believe diversity is a strength and we particularly welcome applications from those underrepresented in psychology, i.e. minoritized racial, ethnic and cultural groups, as well as people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.
*Please note applications from a range of qualified professions are welcomed (see JD and person specification); DPsych Clinical/Counselling trainees who are in the final stages of completing their doctorate would be considered for this job provided they anticipate completion. However, special transitional arrangements will be put in place, if proof of qualification and HCPC registration have not been received by the start date, and provided all clinical placements have been passed.
Main duties of the job
- To provide specialist clinical input to the N&S CAMHS DBT Service’s DBT-A programme, 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 and developing anti-racism knowledge and practice. • To provide clinical supervision as appropriate to junior members of the team • To undertake service evaluation, audit and research projects.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Provide specialist assessments with young people and carers to determine the appropriateness of DBT as a treatment for the young person’s range of difficulties • Provide individual, group and phone-consultation interventions to young people and their parents/carers in adherence with the evidence-based DBT model. • Work with young people and families with complex histories and risk concerns, to support them to get the most out of DBT • Assessing and managing risk and identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns as appropriate. • Be part of a supportive DBT consultation team to support you and other therapists in working effectively within the DBT model. • Provide training to other professionals on working with young people with emotion dysregulation and engaging in high-risk behaviours and on DBT more generally. • Work with complex professional networks, including social workers, GPs, local CAMHS care coordinators, in order to most effectively support young people and their families. • Support service-related research and service evaluation projects. • Support service development and improvements.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Skills in working with families/interventions with parents/carers/families
- To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
Desirable
- Skills in working with young people engaging in risky behaviours such as substance misuse
- Delivering teaching and training on self-harm and related topics to CAMHS clinicians
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
- Ability to work with young people with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASC
- Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
Desirable
- Ability to treat co-morbidities such as OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD and eating disorders.
- Ability to adapt DBT to work with minoritised groups
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment and treatment of young people with self-harm and suicidality
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.
Desirable
- Experience of group interventions with young people and parents/carers
- Experience of developing and carrying out service evaluation and/or research projects.
- Experience of delivering all modes of evidence-based DBT-A or DBT from having worked in a comprehensive programme
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology*, or MSc PG Diploma or Doctorate in Counselling Psychology* or equivalent nursing / family therapy / occupational therapy / social work qualification. OR First level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RNLD or Post Grad Diploma Specialist Training
- Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist or equivalent professional registration with AFT, UKCP, NMC or other professional body.
Desirable
- Foundational training in DBT
- Additional trainings in DBT
- Foundational training in DBT-PE or equivalent evidence-based treatment for PTSD
- Experience in clinical supervision
- Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience
Understanding and Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of and commitment to evidence-based practice for working with young people who self-harm
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
- Knowledge of principles of risk management with this client group
Desirable
- Knowledge of biosocial theory of BPD/emotion dysregulation and evidence-based treatment
- Understanding and knowledge of Minority Stress and anti-racism principles
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for CAMHS DBT Therapist (N&S DBT) with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £58,133 - £65,261 per annum inclusive of HCAs (Inner). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Jul 2026.
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