Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our supportive team of psychologists working in the Harlow Specialist Adult Community Mental Health Service with the base in Harlow, Essex. This post is available at Band 7 or Band 8a, dependent on eligibility and experience. If appointed at Band 7 this will be a developmental post and the post-holder will be invited to work through an appraisal-linked development process towards Band 8a level, with the opportunity to be moved up to band 8a when they meet the person specification and experience requirements to fulfil the Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist role.
We are looking for someone with an interest in multidisciplinary working, and a commitment to supporting those with complex mental health needs, who may have experienced significant adversity.
The role is based within at Harlow although there may be occasions when you are asked to travel to other areas within Essex.
Main duties of the job
Working alongside experienced psychologists and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will be responsible for assessment and formulation of service users presenting with complex needs, supporting them to understand and manage their difficulties. You will be responsible for delivering NICE recommended psychological interventions for chronic and severe mental health presentation such as complex trauma and personality disorders, psychosis and bipolar disorder, severe anxiety and depression, aiming to promote social inclusion and empower service users in their mental health recovery. You will provide support and training to staff on working in psychologically informed ways. You will offer supervision to more junior colleagues e.g. trainees, and consultation to the wider team. You will champion trauma-informed care and a needs-led approach to working with our service users, and you will work with colleagues to support psychologically informed working.
Within Psychological Services in West Essex we have specialist skills and training in a variety of approaches including CAT, CBT, CBTp, DBT, EMDR and CFT. Training and development is both strongly supported and actively encouraged. We also have active links with our local Clinical Psychology training programmes, and there are opportunities for involvement in teaching, supervision and research. We actively encourage engagement in evaluation and service improvement initiatives.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of responsibilities.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design, service evaluation and service improvement
- Extensive knowledge of psychological therapies and the application of current models of practice, specialist assessment tools and outcomes frameworks in own specialist area of practice
- Knowledge of mental health legislation, NHS Constitution, care planning, and risk assessment, formulation and management
Desirable
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities e.g. MCI, neurodevelopmental disorders and LTCs etc.)
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996)
- HCPC Registered
- CPD in clinical supervision
Desirable
- Post-doctoral qualifications in DBT/CBT/CAT/Schema Therapy/CBTp or other evidence based models for the treatment of complex cases, personality disorders, or psychosis, or an interest in pursuing these
Work Experience
Essential
- Significant proven experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of settings and client groups
- Experience of supervising others and/or providing consultation.
Desirable
- Experience in teaching, training and/or upskilling others
- Experience in running groups and interventions for service users with psychosis and other severe mental health difficulties
- Experience of working in a range of NHS services
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - ACP Service with Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Wickford, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £59,798 - £67,020 per annum, pro rata incl. 5% High Cost Allowance. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 02 Aug 2026.
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