About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for a counsellor role in a friendly team? Are an accredited CfD, IPT or DIT counsellor? Are you passionate about providing a vital service to our community?
In line with expansion of Talking Therapies, we want to increase our counselling offer and recruit four new counsellors.
Hounslow NHS Talking Therapies is seeking an experienced counsellors to join our friendly team.
What we offer:
We offer a stable, and supportive working environment
A values driven environment - Togetherness, Responsibility, Excellence and Caring underpin how we treat each other and our patients
We promote a healthy work-life balance and operate a hybrid working week
We offer flexible working,
Regular line management & supervision
Opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in service developments
A comprehensive CPD & reflective practice programme
We are particularly eager to recruit Counselling and DIT qualified approaches as demand for these therapies is incredibly high.
Main duties of the job
You will provide a specialist, compassionate service to clients experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, primarily anxiety and depression. This includes completing assessments and delivering interventions such as Counselling for Depression, Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. You will work collaboratively with colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds and facilitate therapeutic groups.
The role also involves offering consultation and psychological advice to non-psychologist colleagues and carers in relation to clients' psychological care.
We operate a hybrid working model, with staff working a minimum of two days on-site and up to three days from home.
As a high-performing service, we are seeking clinicians who can work autonomously and as part of a team, deliver 20 clinical hours per week and work flexibly to meet service needs. Your standard job plan will include offering one evening clinic (12-8pm) per week.
You will work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters where required, and demonstrate a strong commitment to equality of access and inclusive practice.
Please see the attached Job Pack for full details.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Post-graduate training in counselling, psychotherapy or counselling psychology or post graduate training in another core mental health profession (nursing, Occupational therapy) plus a post graduate diploma or higher degree in counselling or psychotherapy Fully accredited with the BACP or UKCP (psychotherapeutic counsellor) Professional registration with the appropriate body E.G. Professional Standards Authority (PSA) or Health Professions Council (HPC) To have completed training in one or more Talking Therapies approved specialist modality trainings: Dynamic Interpersonal therapy (DIT) Counselling for depression(CFD) Couples Therapy for Depression (Tavistock) Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Desirable
Qualification in clinical supervision Qualified Supervisor in Talking Therapies approved modality therapy
Experience Essential
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients within an Talking Therapies service Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups and presenting problems that reflect a range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Experience at working with psychological Therapies at a specialist level.
Desirable
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision. Experience of the application of counselling in different cultural contexts Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of care settings. Including outpatient, community, and primary care settings
Knowledge Essential
High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of Counselling and psychotherapy (and other modalities, where applicable) Knowledge of issues relating to primary and secondary care psychological therapies services.
Desirable
Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. Medically unexplained symptoms, long term conditions and recognition of personality disorder). Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
Skills Essential
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
Other Requirements Essential
Able to work flexibly and at least one evening session, until 8.00pm. Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence. Aware of the limitations in own competence and able to seek appropriate support and advice. Good organisational and time management skills. Ability to work within a team and promote good working relationships. High level of enthusiasm and motivation
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.
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 West London NHS Trust
Address Hounslow Talking Therapies
Uxbridge Road
London
UB1 3EU
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)