Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to join NHS Talking Therapies as an Accredited Counsellor, within our West Team in Chichester.
You will provide Step 3 short-term counselling interventions through Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) or Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD) within the service.
The Counsellor role is offered at NHS Band 7 for those registered and accredited with the relevant professional body and holding IAPT-compliant modality training.
If not yet IAPT-compliant modality training, this can be offered as an IAPT Development Counsellor role (NHS Band 6). You will work within the service whilst being sponsored to undertake training in an IAPT approved modality within a year of joining.
You will be fully supported by our management and clinical leads and surrounded by a friendly, highly competent supportive workforce. We have taken time to create a model and culture in our service which ensures that you are happy in your work.
As one of the country’s leading IAPT services, we lead the way in the provision of NICE recommended psychological therapies, are focused on clinical excellence, innovation.
- Excellent CPD and career development opportunities
- Regular support, supervision and training
- Opportunity to engage in a number of interesting and social activities led by a Wellbeing lead in each locality
Main duties of the job
Applicants must be either BACP Accredited, or UKCP Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, ACC Accredited, NCS Accredited Professional Registrant, or British Psychoanalytic Council Registered. Applicants must also have appropriate qualifications as detailed in the person specification.
Applicants holding an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification, such as IPT, DIT, PCE-CfD or CTfD are appointed at Agenda for Change Band 7. Applicants who do not hold an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification will be recruited at Band 6 and must be willing to undertake training and achieve certification in an NHS Talking Therapies approved module within 12 months. Once achieved, you will move up to Band 7 (please note that this training is funded by the service).
You will also need to demonstrate extensive experience of treating patients within a time limited counselling model, as well as experience of providing triage assessments.
Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The required registration and accreditation is one of the below:
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accredited ( BACP)
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered as Psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic Counsellor
- Association of Christian counsellors Accreditation
- National Counselling Society( NCS) Accredited Professional registrants ( PNCPS Accr)
- British Psychanalytic Council Registrant
Our West Team covers Chichester and the surrounding areas
We provide services Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm with plenty of opportunities to work flexible hours and staff have laptops and mobiles allowing for office and home working flexibility.
Person specification
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel across the North Locality (public transport is not available to all destinations). If not a car owner/driver must state how will travel
Skills
Essential
- A range of counselling interventions in order to respond flexibly to different client needs.
- Demonstrates high standard of record keeping, with due regard for NHS Confidentiality, Data Protection and Information Governance, abiding by codes of ethics and guidance for good practice of professional body
- Has full understanding and practical application of the Ethical Principals and Codes of Practice for own professional body
- Is computer literate and experienced at using email, Outlook, Word, internet
Desirable
- Ability to deliver CFD, IPT, DIT or CCFD interventions in order to respond flexibly to different client need
- Has used IAPTus or equivalent computerised health record system for keeping patient records
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 150 hours post qualification client contacts
- Worked with a wide range of clients presenting with multiple and complex issues
- Experience and ability to manage own caseload and time
Desirable
- Experience as Primary Care Counsellor
- Experience of team working within the NHS or Primary Care
- Experience of and ability to meet agreed/specified service targets for clinical work
- Experience of working therapeutically with patients who have Long Term Conditions and/or Medically Unexplained Symptoms
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional qualification to Diploma level or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy
- Professional qualification which is recognised by accrediting bodies as listed in the IAPT Manual (BACP accredited, UKCP registered as a psychotherapist/psychotherapeutic counsellor, BPC registered, ACC accreditation, NCS accredited professional registrants
- Membership of a relevant professional body
- Registration/accreditation with relevant professional body: UKCP registration, HCPC, BACP, IPT UK accreditation
- Have achieved accreditation in an IAPT-approved therapy model, such as IPT, DIT, CFD or CCFD
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Counsellor / Counsellor (Development Role) with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust in Brighton, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £56,515 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Jun 2026.
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