About this role
Job summary
Are you a qualified Interpersonal Psychotherapist looking to make a real difference? Join our welcoming Bridgwater team within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, where your expertise will help transform the lives of people experiencing depression, anxiety, and long-term health conditions.
In this rewarding role, you'll deliver high-quality, evidence-based therapy as part of a supportive, high-performing service known for achieving some of the best recovery outcomes in the country. You'll work within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, with strong links across primary care, community services, and the voluntary sector.
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is a high-performing service with one of the best recovery rates in the country. We have excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care through the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. As part of our multi-professional workforce in primary care, you will support adults experiencing depression, anxiety and long-term health conditions, offering therapy both face-to-face and via video link.
What You'll Bring
Accreditation as an Interpersonal Psychotherapist (IPTUK)Experience delivering psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies setting (or similar)A passion for delivering compassionate, person-centred careStrong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy clinical workloadA collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement
Main duties of the job
As a Psychological Therapist, you'll play a vital role in supporting adults with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, helping them move towards recovery through structured, evidence-based interventions.
You'll take ownership of your clinical work, from initial assessment through to formulation and delivery of tailored therapy programmes. Whether working one-to-one or with groups, your focus will be on creating meaningful therapeutic relationships that empower people to make lasting changes.
You'll be part of a service built on collaboration. You'll regularly connect with GPs, primary care teams, community mental health services, and voluntary sector partners, ensuring that each person receives the right support at the right time. This integrated approach means you'll see the real impact of your work beyond the therapy room.
Your role will also involve:
Managing a consistent caseload and maintaining accessibility of therapy for patientsSupporting stepped care pathways, including appropriate step-up and step-down decisionsKeeping up to date with best practice, guidelines, and ongoing professional developmentYou'll be supported to grow professionally, with opportunities to expand your skills, contribute to service improvements, and even develop supervisory or leadership responsibilities over time.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Communication and Collaborative Working
Work closely with your team, including therapists, clinical leads, and service managers, contributing to shared goals and delivering excellent patient outcomesBuild strong relationships with GPs, primary care networks, community mental health teams, and voluntary sector partners, helping to create a seamless and integrated care experience for patientsOffer professional guidance around psychological therapies, sharing your expertise to support colleagues and wider servicesClinical Practice and Patient Care
Manage referrals and carry out thorough clinical assessments, developing clear formulations to guide effective treatmentDeliver structured, evidence-based Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), supporting individuals and, where appropriate, groupsCreate focused, time-limited treatment plans that empower patients to achieve meaningful changeSensitively involve families or support networks where appropriate, ensuring a holistic approach to careManage a consistent caseload, balancing assessments and therapy sessions to maintain timely access to treatmentMake clinically informed decisions within a stepped care model, ensuring patients receive the right level of support and are smoothly transitioned when needs changeService Delivery and Quality
Contribute to achieving key performance targets by maintaining high clinical standards and ensuring efficient use of appointmentsParticipate in audits, service evaluations, and feedback processes, using insights to continuously improve careSupport the ongoing development of the service, helping to shape best practice and innovative approaches to therapy deliveryProfessional Practice and Development
Maintain high standards of clinical governance, ensuring your practice aligns with professional, ethical, and NHS guidelinesActively engage in clinical supervision, case discussions, and performance reviews to continually develop your skillsKeep up to date with the latest evidence-based approaches and developments within NHS Talking TherapiesTake ownership of your continuing professional development, with opportunities to expand your expertise and progress your careerAdministration and Record Keeping
Maintain accurate, timely clinical records using digital systems, ensuring all patient interactions and outcomes are clearly documentedManage your workload effectively, keeping on top of documentation, appointments, and administrative tasks within required timeframes
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Accreditation with the BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS, HCPC or equivalent.Practitioner qualification/accreditation in NHS Talking Therapies-compliant counselling modality: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)Diploma or higher award in counselling or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach.Good record of Continuing Professional Development in an IAPT-compliant counselling modality and willingness to continue this.
Desirable
Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another IAPT-compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfDQualification and experience as a supervisor in a NHS Talking Therapies modality
Experience Essential
Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (or IAPT) serviceExperience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomesOngoing supervision and current psychological therapy work
Desirable
Experience of line managing clinical or non-clinical staff
Additional Criteria Essential
Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Glanville House
Church Street
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 5AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)