High Intensity Therapist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist to join our friendly and committed team. The post involves providing Step 3 diagnostic assessments and evidence-based CBT interventions, both individually and in groups.

The role may also include providing clinical supervision to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Low Intensity Trainees and High Intensity Trainees, with training provided where required. There are opportunities to develop specialist interests, including long-term health conditions, learning disabilities and perinatal mental health, through project work and Champion roles.

High-quality supervision and continuing professional development are central to the service. You will receive weekly individual clinical supervision from experienced Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologists or CBT Therapists and have access to monthly clinical training sessions and quarterly CBT workshops delivered by expert clinicians across the Trust.

The role is based within primary care settings and requires flexibility to support the Improving Access agenda. The service operates from 9am–8pm Monday to Thursday and 9am–5pm on Fridays. Staff are expected to work at least one evening per week.

Main duties of the job

To provide specialist psychology service for anxiety and depression to patients referred to NHS Sutton Talking Therapies (WTT). This will include the provision of specialist psychological assessment and therapy within one or more psychological therapy models specified by the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Manual.

To provide advice and consultation on patients’ psychological care to other members of the STT team and to other non-professional carers. This includes supervision of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other professional groups as appropriate.

The post holder will be expected to operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service’s operational policy and guidelines. The service operates from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The post holder will be required to work flexible hours in line with this. This can be negotiated via the trust’s flexible working scheme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To deliver 20 attended clinical contacts per week.

To provide specialist psychological therapy assessments with clients referred to the NHS Talking Therapies service based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources. This will include client self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi- structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.

To provide at least one NICE recommended psychological therapy for anxiety disorders and/or depression.

To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s problems, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

To be knowledgeable about DSM-V diagnosis of common mental health problems (as relevant to NHS Talking Therapies) and skilled in the differential diagnosis of clinical disorders.

To be able to clinically formulate clients’ problems and develop and implement plans for the formal Step 3 treatment and/or management of a client’s problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

A good understanding and ability to apply CBT treatment strategies flexibly across the whole range of disorders seen in NHS Talking Therapies (particularly common mood disorders).

To be responsible for implementing psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups, adjusting and refining psychological formulations and drawing upon relevant explanatory models. To be able to use a specific psychological therapy for anxiety and/or depression, in line with NICE guidance, at a specialist level in assessments and interventions.

To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options considering both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.