
Job requirements
Essential
5 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Knowledge
Knowledge, experience and interest in AVATAR or relevant relational therapies for psychosis (A/I)
- Knowledge
Knowledge and skills in CBT for psychosis. (A/I)
- Knowledge
Knowledge and skills in supervision and training of other mental health professionals. (A/I)
- Experience
Post qualification experience of working in adult mental health services with people with psychosis.
- Qualifications
Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent, and HCPC registered. (A)
Desirable
5 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge
Knowledge and skills in digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems. (A/I)
- Knowledge
Training and supervision of psychological practitioners to deliver psychological interventions for psychosis (A/I)
- Experience
Training, supervision, or delivery of digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems.
- Experience
Training and experience in AVATAR therapy delivery and supervision
- Qualifications
Post-qualification Postgraduate Diploma in CBT for psychosis/Severe Mental Illness (SMI) or equivalent specialist experience. (A)
Job overview
This post is for an 8b SLaM AVATAR therapy Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR-RWE (Real World Evidence). The successful candidate will work as part of an NHS implementation study of AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. Having tested efficacy in rigorous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and with replication emerging from independent research groups, our focus is on national and international implementation of AVATAR therapy. In March 2024 AVATAR therapy received a NICE-Early Value Assessment recommendation for deployment in the NHS for the purpose of real-world evidence generation.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
The post holder will:
- Lead on training and supervision of therapists in SLaM.
- Supervise the Assistant Psychologist, to support data collection to a high standard, in line with study protocols.
- Oversee reporting and transfer of research data to project leads, in line with research governance approvals.
- Support the optimisation of AVATAR therapy software and training resources
- Support the KCL-based Researchers in development of study materials.
- The post holder may be asked to contribute to training and supervision beyond SLaM (i.e. other trusts/ clinical settings) to support the wider roll-out of AVATAR therapy
- The post holder will support Dr Tom Ward and Dr Clem Edwards in the delivery of these aims. The job purpose will focus on leadership in the training and supervision of AVATAR therapy delivered within SLaM alongside the real-world data collection. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This post is for an 8b SLaM AVATAR therapy Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR-RWE (Real World Evidence). The successful candidate will work as part of an NHS implementation study of AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. Please see attached Job description for further information
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in Beckenham, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £75,328 - £86,114 per annum inclusive of HCAS (Inner). The contract type is Fixed term: 30 months (Role is based within the Wellcome-funded AVATAR project and is for a period of 30 months with the end date no later than the project end date (31st August 2029)). The application deadline is 27 Oct 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 (13 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob 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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