• Job Description

  Req#: B0333-25-0064?language=en&page=231&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  To help improve access to adult NHS Talking Therapies services for people experiencing common mental health problems, Health Education England (HEE) is commissioning this ground breaking, salaried training pathway that will provide trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellors with advan

  Main duties of the job

  Key Responsibilities include: 1 Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service 2 Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case 3 Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department's referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary. 4 Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients. 5 Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language. 6 Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient. 7 Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate 8 Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service. 9 Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols 10 Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach. 11 Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

  About us

  Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity with over 40 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, from Northumberland to Plymouth, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce who are committed to delivering the best quality services to those in need of support. Everything about MHM is people focused, our people are central to delivering the highest quality of service and care to people who access our services.

  Details

  Date posted

  06 August 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 5

  Salary

  Depending on experience

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  R000074

  Job locations

  Unit 5 Stella Nova Washington Parade, Bootle L20 4TZ

  Bootle

  L20 4TZ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  NHS full funded and salaried, three-year NHS Talking Therapies High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling training programme in Couples Therapy for Depression with Tavistock Relationship Institute To help improve access to adult NHS Talking Therapies services for people experiencing common mental health problems, Health Education England (HEE) is commissioning this ground breaking, salaried training pathway that will provide trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellors with advanced conceptual understanding and skills in the practical application of psychotherapeutic counselling and a defined standard of competency in the NICE-recommended Couples Therapy for Depression (CtfD). The training provider for this pathway is to be Tavistock Relationship Institute and Birkbeck University. About the Role: This role would be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a busy work and study schedule. You will be an employee at NHS Sefton Talking Therapies but also enrolled for at last 2 days a week on the Post Graduate Diploma course. As this is a post graduate level diploma, you will also be required to study and write academic material at this level. Applicants must be prepared to study and write assignments out side of protected study time (such as weekends and after work). If you are successful at interview you will be asked to attend a follow up with the training provide to ensure you meet the academic requirements of the post. There will be 12.5 days of the programme that will be completed in person in the Tavistock centre in London. These training dates are proposed to be set 2-2.5 days at the start and 2.5 days at the end of each term. (This could be subject to change by the training provider). Successful candidates will be expected to attend these training dates in person in London. The remainer of the training will be provided by the training provider remotely. The training programme is a 3-year duration, with trainees planned to start in September 2025 and complete by September 2028; Year 1 is working with individuals at Band 5 Years 2 and 3 will be working with both couples and individuals at Band 6 Upon the successful completion of the training programme and on qualification, the trainee will then be employed in NHS Sefton Talking Therapies as a Band 7 High intensity therapist. The teaching in a Foundation year with Tavistock Relationship (Year 1) and Birkbeck University in Years 2 & 3 for their PG Diploma award. Trainees will be accredited with UKCP registration at the end of successful completing and passing the programme. This training aims to:

  Develop high intensity psychotherapeutic counsellors with the qualities, skills and competences to develop, engage in and sustain strong therapeutic relationships and work effectively with NHS TT service users whose depression is impacting their relationship.

  Develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competency in Couples Therapy for Depression, in line with the needs of service users, and partners.

  Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national IAPT Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.

  Promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.

  NHS Sefton Talking Therapies does not fund:

  Travel and accommodation costs

  Personal Therapy costs

  Course structure and requirements The National Curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling within NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression outlines the full details of the course structure. To summarise, the following outlines the key training requirements:

  A 1-year core psychotherapeutic counselling foundation level training, which also introduces the chosen NHS Talking Therapies modality. Following sign off for readiness, trainees can begin to practice in NHS Talking Therapy services with people with mild to moderate depression

  Followed by, a 2-year post-graduate diploma (PGDip) in psychotherapeutic counselling (minimum 120 credits at Level 7)

  Embedded training in one of the following modalities: CTfD, aligning to the NHS Talking Therapies national curriculum in each

  A minimum of 450 supervised client hours gained within an NHS Talking Therapies service

  A minimum of 450 training hours (skills and theory)

  A minimum of 50 personal therapy hours

  A minimum of 90 minutes of training supervision to every six hours of client work (or the equivalent for group supervision), or 90 minutes per week if they have completed less than six hours of client work in the week

  NHS Talking Therapy services will be responsible for supervision on site, including oversight of case management, clinical governance and management supervision in line with the supervision requirements of the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual.

  An average of two to three days per week of clinical practice in NHS Talking Therapies services

  Individual accreditation (professional registration) with a professional body in line with the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual (see the manual for more details)

  Course Entry Requirements The following entry requirements for trainees are in place:

  1. All candidates entering the programme should hold evidence of academic credit or equivalence allowing entry to the Level 7 programme. A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry. Candidates without a degree at 2:2 or above may be able to secure a place by demonstrating competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.
  2. All candidates should have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, which ordinarily involves a minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3. Online courses are not acceptable. Please note: L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not accepted.
  3. Candidates should show proficiency in reading, writing and spoken English of a standard necessary to support academic study and professional practice at Level 7 - IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.
  4. Metanoia Institute will apply contextual recruitment to support the equivalence framework to widen participation.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  NHS full funded and salaried, three-year NHS Talking Therapies High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling training programme in Couples Therapy for Depression with Tavistock Relationship Institute To help improve access to adult NHS Talking Therapies services for people experiencing common mental health problems, Health Education England (HEE) is commissioning this ground breaking, salaried training pathway that will provide trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellors with advanced conceptual understanding and skills in the practical application of psychotherapeutic counselling and a defined standard of competency in the NICE-recommended Couples Therapy for Depression (CtfD). The training provider for this pathway is to be Tavistock Relationship Institute and Birkbeck University. About the Role: This role would be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a busy work and study schedule. You will be an employee at NHS Sefton Talking Therapies but also enrolled for at last 2 days a week on the Post Graduate Diploma course. As this is a post graduate level diploma, you will also be required to study and write academic material at this level. Applicants must be prepared to study and write assignments out side of protected study time (such as weekends and after work). If you are successful at interview you will be asked to attend a follow up with the training provide to ensure you meet the academic requirements of the post. There will be 12.5 days of the programme that will be completed in person in the Tavistock centre in London. These training dates are proposed to be set 2-2.5 days at the start and 2.5 days at the end of each term. (This could be subject to change by the training provider). Successful candidates will be expected to attend these training dates in person in London. The remainer of the training will be provided by the training provider remotely. The training programme is a 3-year duration, with trainees planned to start in September 2025 and complete by September 2028; Year 1 is working with individuals at Band 5 Years 2 and 3 will be working with both couples and individuals at Band 6 Upon the successful completion of the training programme and on qualification, the trainee will then be employed in NHS Sefton Talking Therapies as a Band 7 High intensity therapist. The teaching in a Foundation year with Tavistock Relationship (Year 1) and Birkbeck University in Years 2 & 3 for their PG Diploma award. Trainees will be accredited with UKCP registration at the end of successful completing and passing the programme. This training aims to:

  Develop high intensity psychotherapeutic counsellors with the qualities, skills and competences to develop, engage in and sustain strong therapeutic relationships and work effectively with NHS TT service users whose depression is impacting their relationship.

  Develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competency in Couples Therapy for Depression, in line with the needs of service users, and partners.

  Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national IAPT Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.

  Promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.

  NHS Sefton Talking Therapies does not fund:

  Travel and accommodation costs

  Personal Therapy costs

  Course structure and requirements The National Curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling within NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression outlines the full details of the course structure. To summarise, the following outlines the key training requirements:

  A 1-year core psychotherapeutic counselling foundation level training, which also introduces the chosen NHS Talking Therapies modality. Following sign off for readiness, trainees can begin to practice in NHS Talking Therapy services with people with mild to moderate depression

  Followed by, a 2-year post-graduate diploma (PGDip) in psychotherapeutic counselling (minimum 120 credits at Level 7)

  Embedded training in one of the following modalities: CTfD, aligning to the NHS Talking Therapies national curriculum in each

  A minimum of 450 supervised client hours gained within an NHS Talking Therapies service

  A minimum of 450 training hours (skills and theory)

  A minimum of 50 personal therapy hours

  A minimum of 90 minutes of training supervision to every six hours of client work (or the equivalent for group supervision), or 90 minutes per week if they have completed less than six hours of client work in the week

  NHS Talking Therapy services will be responsible for supervision on site, including oversight of case management, clinical governance and management supervision in line with the supervision requirements of the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual.

  An average of two to three days per week of clinical practice in NHS Talking Therapies services

  Individual accreditation (professional registration) with a professional body in line with the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual (see the manual for more details)

  Course Entry Requirements The following entry requirements for trainees are in place:

  1. All candidates entering the programme should hold evidence of academic credit or equivalence allowing entry to the Level 7 programme. A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry. Candidates without a degree at 2:2 or above may be able to secure a place by demonstrating competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.
  2. All candidates should have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, which ordinarily involves a minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3. Online courses are not acceptable. Please note: L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not accepted.
  3. Candidates should show proficiency in reading, writing and spoken English of a standard necessary to support academic study and professional practice at Level 7 - IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.
  4. Metanoia Institute will apply contextual recruitment to support the equivalence framework to widen participation.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy. Evidence using the career framework of training in mental health and experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression

  Experience

  Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets Ability to manage own caseload and time * Demonstrates high standards in written communication Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy. Evidence using the career framework of training in mental health and experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression

  Experience

  Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets Ability to manage own caseload and time * Demonstrates high standards in written communication Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers

  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).

  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.

  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

  Mental Health Matters

  Address

  Unit 5 Stella Nova Washington Parade, Bootle L20 4TZ

  Bootle

  L20 4TZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.mhm.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Mental Health Matters

  Address

  Unit 5 Stella Nova Washington Parade, Bootle L20 4TZ

  Bootle

  L20 4TZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.mhm.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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