B7 Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Psychological Therapist - Bristol

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychological Therapist to join our specialist team within the Bristol Complex Psychological Interventions Service (CPI). The role is based in the South Bristol Assessment and Recovery Team at Petherton Resource Centre--a vibrant, multidisciplinary team where developing and evaluating 1:1 and group interventions for a wide range of secondary mental health presentations is central.

CPI, part of Bristol Mental Health, comprises of multidisciplinary professions and offers a range of activities to support psychologically informed care within the secondary mental health service. The team also provides supervision and training to partner organisations. CPI offers complex assessment, formulation, and a wide range of therapies including specialist CBT and third wave approaches, CAT, Psychotherapy, Art Psychotherapies, Family Therapy, MBT, and DBT. Therapy is delivered in both individual and group formats.

The successful candidate will provide specialist assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation, as well as staff training, supervision, consultation and support. Applicants should be familiar with current evidence-based interventions and able to demonstrate outcomes.

Main duties of the job

• To fulfil a comprehensive role as a Clinical Psychologist or appropriate trained Psychological Practitioner (Counselling Psychologist, Psychological Therapist, Psychotherapist, Arts Psychotherapist) within the South Assessment and Recovery team.

• To assess and treat a specialist workload of clients and maintain associated records.

• To participate in Continued Professional Development and other developmental activities.

• To be part of the South Bristol DBT Team (training will be provided if necessary).

• To undertake Research and Development and clinical audit.

• To clinically supervise trainees, assistants and team members.

• To provide consultation and training to the South Bristol Assessment and Recovery Team.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-BR161-0925

Job locations

Petherton Resource Centre

3 Petherton Road

Bristol

BS14 9BP

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. To provide a psychologically informed service to South Assessment and Recovery Team including assessment and specialist therapy both for individuals and groups as appropriate.2. To provide a specialist consultation and supervision to the South Assessment and Recovery Team and other agencies providing care for the client group.3. To liaise with Recovery teams and identify appropriate care pathways for patients with complex needs within secondary services4. To work jointly with colleagues within secondary services providing key working when appropriate.5. To participate in CPI referral processes and meetings6. To participate in clinical and caseload supervision arrangements provided by the Complex Psychological Interventions Service.7. To maintain accurate records and to monitor clinical workload using agreed systems.

PROFESSIONAL

1. To be accountable for own professional actions and to fully observe the relevant Code of Conduct for your professional body2. To be aware of, adhere to, and where appropriate, contribute to the formulation and review of Trust, Area and Complex Psychological Interventions Service policies and procedures.3. To participate in local Complex Psychological Interventions meetings and Trust-wide meetings as appropriate.4. To maintain and develop high standards of practice by engaging in continuing professional development and co-operative working/networking with colleagues from the same profession.5. To participate in an annual performance appraisal.

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. To provide a psychologically informed service to South Assessment and Recovery Team including assessment and specialist therapy both for individuals and groups as appropriate.2. To provide a specialist consultation and supervision to the South Assessment and Recovery Team and other agencies providing care for the client group.3. To liaise with Recovery teams and identify appropriate care pathways for patients with complex needs within secondary services4. To work jointly with colleagues within secondary services providing key working when appropriate.5. To participate in CPI referral processes and meetings6. To participate in clinical and caseload supervision arrangements provided by the Complex Psychological Interventions Service.7. To maintain accurate records and to monitor clinical workload using agreed systems.

PROFESSIONAL

1. To be accountable for own professional actions and to fully observe the relevant Code of Conduct for your professional body2. To be aware of, adhere to, and where appropriate, contribute to the formulation and review of Trust, Area and Complex Psychological Interventions Service policies and procedures.3. To participate in local Complex Psychological Interventions meetings and Trust-wide meetings as appropriate.4. To maintain and develop high standards of practice by engaging in continuing professional development and co-operative working/networking with colleagues from the same profession.5. To participate in an annual performance appraisal.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree and post graduate level qualification in a relevant area
• Doctoral Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification or qualification as a Psychotherapist or Art Psychotherapist or Psychological Therapist
• HCPC Registration (or eligibility for registration) or professional registration with another suitable organisation (eg. BABCP, UKCP etc).

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with a wide range of individuals with complex problems
• Experience of working in a Multidisciplinary Adult Mental Health Team
• Experience of Therapeutic interventions with service user group
• In-depth knowledge of relevant therapeutic models
• Familiarity with NHS ways of working, NHS systems and statutory obligations.
• Experience of formulating a person's difficulties from a psychological perspective and communicating to service users and multidisciplinary staff
• Experience of offering clinical supervision and/ or facilitating reflective practice sessions for multidisciplinary staff
• Experience of supporting teams in managing risk, and in complex multiagency work

Desirable

• Experience of working within a DBT Consultation team

Skills

Essential

• Effective team player with good communication and liaison skills
• Empathy/engagement skills with the client group
• Ability to cope with workload pressure/prioritise workload
• Ability to work autonomously
• Confidence in working to support members of multidisciplinary teams
• Self-awareness and emotional resilience
• Well organised with good administration/ computer skills

Desirable

• Experience of running therapeutic groups e.g. groups with a relational focus, CBT, DBT, MBT, Psycho-social education,
• Experience of working with adults across the lifespan
• Experience in working with complex trauma
• Experience in working with psychosis
• Experience of leadership and/ or service development
• Ability to carry out neuropsychological assessment and report writing

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree and post graduate level qualification in a relevant area
• Doctoral Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification or qualification as a Psychotherapist or Art Psychotherapist or Psychological Therapist
• HCPC Registration (or eligibility for registration) or professional registration with another suitable organisation (eg. BABCP, UKCP etc).

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with a wide range of individuals with complex problems
• Experience of working in a Multidisciplinary Adult Mental Health Team
• Experience of Therapeutic interventions with service user group
• In-depth knowledge of relevant therapeutic models
• Familiarity with NHS ways of working, NHS systems and statutory obligations.
• Experience of formulating a person's difficulties from a psychological perspective and communicating to service users and multidisciplinary staff
• Experience of offering clinical supervision and/ or facilitating reflective practice sessions for multidisciplinary staff
• Experience of supporting teams in managing risk, and in complex multiagency work

Desirable

• Experience of working within a DBT Consultation team

Skills

Essential

• Effective team player with good communication and liaison skills
• Empathy/engagement skills with the client group
• Ability to cope with workload pressure/prioritise workload
• Ability to work autonomously
• Confidence in working to support members of multidisciplinary teams
• Self-awareness and emotional resilience
• Well organised with good administration/ computer skills

Desirable

• Experience of running therapeutic groups e.g. groups with a relational focus, CBT, DBT, MBT, Psycho-social education,
• Experience of working with adults across the lifespan
• Experience in working with complex trauma
• Experience in working with psychosis
• Experience of leadership and/ or service development
• Ability to carry out neuropsychological assessment and report writing

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

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Petherton Resource Centre

3 Petherton Road

Bristol

BS14 9BP

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Petherton Resource Centre

3 Petherton Road

Bristol

BS14 9BP

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)