Principal Clinical Psychologist / Cognitive Behaviour Therapist

Job summary

We are looking to welcome an enthusiastic and experienced Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Cognitive Behaviour Therapist to our specialist team.

We are seeking someone with significant experience and expertise in treating anxiety using CBT. Prospective candidates should be able to demonstrate an excellent academic track record, specific postgraduate training, experience and accreditation in CBT, and a very good working knowledge of anxiety disorders and how to treat them. We are looking for colleagues who understand and believe in the importance of evidence-based treatments, supervision, research, training and dissemination. For this senior post, we are seeking an excellent clinician and skilled supervisor, as well as a trainers and innovator who can develop new pathways, services and ways of doing things. You will have experience managing people and ideally some experience with professional leadership and service management.

The clinic currently offers hybrid treatment delivery, but applicants will need to be wiling and able to spend most of their time working in person in the clinic in South London. Job share, secondments, and part-time working (a minimum of 3 days per week) can be considered. Do please contact Dr Blake Stobie, Head of Service (blake.stobie@slam.nhs.uk) should you wish to discuss this post further.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will provide a highly specialist psychology service to clients with anxiety disorders including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes across primary, secondary and tertiary care

They will offer supervision to qualified therapists, (honorary) assistant psychologists and trainees, and act as line manager to a team of clinicians.

The applicant will ensure that systems are in place and working effectively to support service delivery, as well as take a lead on a specific area of clinical expertise or on a service stream in the clinic.

About us

We are a relatively small team of approx. 20 substantive clinicians, 7 administrative support staff, and an additional approx. 20 trainees and clinicians on placement at any one time. We enjoy good links with King's College London, and provide teaching, training and supervision for KCL courses. We are a cohesive and high functioning team with excellent staff retention and morale.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£72,921 to £83,362 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

334-CLI-7379678

Job locations

Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma

99 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To provide expertise and experience in the treatment of anxiety disorders using CBT, for patients across a range of severities, referred from primary, secondary, tertiary and highly specialist services

To provide highly specialist assessment and clinical formulation to clients with complex mental health needs, in particular those with anxiety disorders.

To provide psychological reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and service users.

To select and deliver highly specialist evidence-based psychological treatments, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions.

To work as an autonomous professional within HCPC guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions.

To travel to alternative locations to provide treatment, training, consultation and supervision, and attend meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To contribute to the effective working and strategic direction of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for the service area, taking on specific roles or duties as agreed.

To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans

To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.

To act as care co-ordinator taking responsibility for providing CBT for clients with anxiety disorders.

To act as a clinic lead for one of the clinics service streams. To monitor referrals, throughput, activity, and other variables essential to comprehensive service delivery, and act as a liaison point between the clinic, service commissioners, and other stakeholders.

To actively contribute to the development of innovations and strategies to grow the clinic.

To take responsibility for liaison between CADAT and local mental health services where applicable.

Teaching, training, and supervision

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision according to HPC, BABCP and Trust guidelines, as applicable.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the clinic by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in CBT and anxiety, and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To provide professional and clinical supervision to colleagues, junior psychological therapists, assistant psychologists and trainee psychologists for all aspects of their work.

To provide specialist training and supervision to psychologists, cognitive behaviour therapists and other professionals as needed.

Management, recruitment, policy and service development

To provide professional leadership and service management.

To supervise the day to day work of psychological therapists in the service,

To identify aspects of the service which could be improved, and initiate and implement service development projects.

To participate in the recruitment process of staff as appropriate.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services.

Research and service evaluation

To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to CBT for anxiety disorders.

To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit.

To initiate appropriate research to improve client care and provide research advice and supervision to other staff undertaking research within the service.

To initiate the development of outcome measurement, assessment/implementation and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

General Responsibilities

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with HCPC requirements and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with the HCPC Code of Conduct, the BABCP Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, in line with professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

To participate fully and implement standards devised from Trusts clinical and research governance activity.

To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities which make up the clinic's client group.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To provide expertise and experience in the treatment of anxiety disorders using CBT, for patients across a range of severities, referred from primary, secondary, tertiary and highly specialist services

To provide highly specialist assessment and clinical formulation to clients with complex mental health needs, in particular those with anxiety disorders.

To provide psychological reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and service users.

To select and deliver highly specialist evidence-based psychological treatments, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions.

To work as an autonomous professional within HCPC guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions.

To travel to alternative locations to provide treatment, training, consultation and supervision, and attend meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To contribute to the effective working and strategic direction of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for the service area, taking on specific roles or duties as agreed.

To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans

To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.

To act as care co-ordinator taking responsibility for providing CBT for clients with anxiety disorders.

To act as a clinic lead for one of the clinics service streams. To monitor referrals, throughput, activity, and other variables essential to comprehensive service delivery, and act as a liaison point between the clinic, service commissioners, and other stakeholders.

To actively contribute to the development of innovations and strategies to grow the clinic.

To take responsibility for liaison between CADAT and local mental health services where applicable.

Teaching, training, and supervision

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision according to HPC, BABCP and Trust guidelines, as applicable.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the clinic by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in CBT and anxiety, and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To provide professional and clinical supervision to colleagues, junior psychological therapists, assistant psychologists and trainee psychologists for all aspects of their work.

To provide specialist training and supervision to psychologists, cognitive behaviour therapists and other professionals as needed.

Management, recruitment, policy and service development

To provide professional leadership and service management.

To supervise the day to day work of psychological therapists in the service,

To identify aspects of the service which could be improved, and initiate and implement service development projects.

To participate in the recruitment process of staff as appropriate.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services.

Research and service evaluation

To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to CBT for anxiety disorders.

To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit.

To initiate appropriate research to improve client care and provide research advice and supervision to other staff undertaking research within the service.

To initiate the development of outcome measurement, assessment/implementation and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

General Responsibilities

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with HCPC requirements and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with the HCPC Code of Conduct, the BABCP Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, in line with professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

To participate fully and implement standards devised from Trusts clinical and research governance activity.

To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities which make up the clinic's client group.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Suitable degree level and postgraduate academic training (e.g. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, PgDip or equivalent)
• HPC registered if applicable and BABCP accredited practitioner
• Postgraduate Diploma in CBT

Desirable

• BABCP accredited supervisor
• BABCP accredited trainer

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision for a significant number of years
• Evidence of working with people with OCD
• Evidence of working with people with PTSD
• Experience of supervising psychological therapists (including trainees) having completed the relevant training
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychological therapists or other professional groups

Desirable

• Providing CBT for anxiety disorders for people with autism spectrum conditions
• Experience of managing a budget

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development as recommended by HPC/BABCP
• Advanced knowledge of treating anxiety using CBT
• Knowledge and experience of setting up or managing a service or pathway
• Formal training in the supervision of other qualified psychological therapists

Desirable

• Record of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books
• Advanced knowledge of adapting CBT for anxiety disorders for people with autism spectrum conditions

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Suitable degree level and postgraduate academic training (e.g. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, PgDip or equivalent)
• HPC registered if applicable and BABCP accredited practitioner
• Postgraduate Diploma in CBT

Desirable

• BABCP accredited supervisor
• BABCP accredited trainer

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision for a significant number of years
• Evidence of working with people with OCD
• Evidence of working with people with PTSD
• Experience of supervising psychological therapists (including trainees) having completed the relevant training
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychological therapists or other professional groups

Desirable

• Providing CBT for anxiety disorders for people with autism spectrum conditions
• Experience of managing a budget

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development as recommended by HPC/BABCP
• Advanced knowledge of treating anxiety using CBT
• Knowledge and experience of setting up or managing a service or pathway
• Formal training in the supervision of other qualified psychological therapists

Desirable

• Record of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books
• Advanced knowledge of adapting CBT for anxiety disorders for people with autism spectrum conditions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma

99 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma

99 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)