Job overview
We are looking for a motivated Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service (BTSS). BTSS is a specialist service providing assessment and treatment for adults with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
You will provide specialist assessment and psychological therapy for clients of the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service experiencing symptoms/difficulties consistent with CPTSD. This will involve specialist and expert psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment. Interventions offered by the service are primarily trauma focused CBT (TF-CBT), EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), and you will have the opportunity to develop further skills in these areas. We offer phased approaches to treatment with CFT delivered in both group and individual formats, as well as offering advice and consultation on clients’ psychological care to multidisciplinary mental health staff, and other, non-professional carers.
You will be part of a dedicated and friendly team of psychologists and CBT therapists committed to providing the best care for traumatised individuals.
You will be based at Erlegh House at the University of Reading. You may also work one day a week from the Athena Centre, Upton Hospital, Slough. The location has plenty of car parking, access to green spaces and local shops and restaurants.
Main duties of the job
- To conduct specialist psychological assessments and develop a clear and detailed formulation of the service user’s presenting difficulties and/or the systemic issues present.
- In collaboration with clients, to formulate and deliver interventions for the psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s Complex PTSD based upon an appropriate conceptual framework, evidence-based practice and NICE guidance.
- To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual’s presentation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for you to be considered for this role:
- Holder of HCPC registered Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification and hold current HCPC registration
OR Trainee Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in final year with pending qualification and HCPC registration on completion of degree.
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced common mental health problems, across the lifespan and from different cultures.
- Evidence of experience of working with traumatised people including those with PTSD and C-PTSD
- Evidence of specialist skills in evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma related psychological distress, within the NICE guidelines
Berkshire Healthcare has a record of achievement and success that places us as one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, we have a history of strong financial performance, and we have a highly skilled and engaged workforce. We aspire to be an outstanding organisation for everyone: our people, our patients, their families, and their carers. We want Berkshire Healthcare to be a great place to work where everyone can thrive and grow.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Dr Kathy Martin on 0118 904 7111 or email [email protected] who will be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in evidence-based ways with services users (and their carers/families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
- Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics
- Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency environments
- Experience of service development and carrying out clinical audits, evaluative research and applying the findings
- Experience of working with, and addressing, issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to the service
Desirable
- Experience of delivering teaching and training to staff
- Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentoring and structured guidance to other staff
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
- Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of assessment, formulation and intervention, relevant to the specialist modality and service area
- Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and how to undertake these activities in an NHS context, including how to implement learning
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside of an NHS setting
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement
- The ability and skills to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster positive relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of the service within the wider health care system
- Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS Office/Teams, One Consultation and the Internet)
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Postgraduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas)
- Registered as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- (Eligibility for) Chartered Membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)
Desirable
- Additional training and accreditations (or working towards these) in relevant therapeutic approaches or psychological models to reflect post qualification interests/ specialism (e.g., specific therapy models and accreditations, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology etc).
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of training and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models or therapeutic approaches relevant to the post
- Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical/Counselling Psychologist with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Bracknell, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £51,657 - £58,785 per annum (Incl. of HCAS). The contract type is 12 months (Fixed term end date will be determined after pre-employment checks have been completed). The application deadline is 22 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (08 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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