Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our Mental Health Support Team (MHST). With support from the Clinical Lead, the successful candidate will take a key role in delivering—and, where appropriate and in line with training, supervising—evidence‑based cognitive behavioural interventions for children and young people presenting with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
The post holder will contribute to team development, work collaboratively with schools and multi‑agency partners, and support the delivery of high‑quality, outcome‑focused care. You will play an active role in delivering the three core MHST functions, including supporting Senior Mental Health Leads in education settings and providing timely advice, consultation, and liaison to school staff and wider professionals.
You will contribute to a positive learning culture through supervision, mentoring, and training, while promoting inclusive, trauma‑informed, and culturally responsive practice to improve outcomes for all.
We welcome applications from candidates in the final stages of doctoral training who anticipate completion within standard training programme timelines. Please read the job summary for details regarding conditions of appointment that would apply in these circumstances. Please outline your anticipated completion date and relevant circumstances within your supporting statement.
This is an 18‑month fixed‑term post with potential for a permanent role.
Main duties of the job
Assessment and Formulation: Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and develop clear psychological formulations of presenting difficulties.
Treatment Planning: Develop personalised, evidence‑based treatment plans informed by assessment and formulation to support recovery goals and improve quality of life.
Interventions: Deliver evidence‑based individual and group psychological interventions, adapting approaches in line with evolving needs and formulations.
Collaboration: Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and multi‑agency partners to ensure integrated, psychologically informed care, taking a coordinating or leading role where appropriate.
Supervision and Training: Provide support, supervision and mentorship to junior clinicians and trainees, in line with experience and development, supporting professional growth and enhancing clinical practice.
Research and Development: Undertake applied research and contribute to quality improvement initiatives to strengthen the evidence base and effectiveness of services.
Service Development: Actively contribute to the development and improvement of services, supporting implementation of new approaches and using clinical expertise to enhance quality of care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for this role:
- Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical psychology (or equivalent)
- Registered as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC)
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position
If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, join us and let’s be outstanding together.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact Yani Chocalingum (CAMHS Getting Help and Mental Health Support Team) Team Lead, [email protected] 07780673550 who’ll be delighted to help.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.
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
- (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 18 months (18-month fixed term contract). The application deadline is 06 Jul 2026.
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