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Senior CBT Therapist or Senior Psychotherapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 06 May 2025

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Job summary

To provide a highly specialist psychology service for adults with eating disorders including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in eating disorders.

Main duties of the job

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within BPS, HCPC and other relevant guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.
To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7128201

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the adult eating disorder service, at levels expected of a psychologist who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

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

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

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

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

KR 5 Management and supervision

Line Management Responsibilities

Provide line management supervision to a small number of more junior psychologists/psychotherapists and/or psychological practitioners within the Eating Disorders service, in accordance with Trust policies and under the guidance of senior psychologists or relevant service or clinical leads.

Oversee areas such as performance, wellbeing, attendance, mandatory training compliance, and caseload monitoring.

Participate in the appraisal (PDR) process for more junior staff and contribute to recruitment and induction activities, as appropriate.

Escalate concerns regarding performance, conduct, or wellbeing in a timely manner and in line with Trust policy.

Contribute to workforce planning and the development of junior staff roles within the service.

Clinical Supervision Responsibilities

Provide regular clinical supervision to more junior psychologists/psychotherapists and/or other psychological professionals in accordance with Trust policy and professional guidelines, with support from a more senior psychologist.

Supervise the psychological work of multidisciplinary colleagues where appropriate.

Offer clinical supervision to trainee applied psychologists in own area of specialism, ensuring supervision supports their development and meets training requirements.

Maintain accurate records of supervision and support a culture of reflective practice and clinical learning within the team.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre- and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the eating disorders service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology/psychotherapy and eating disorders and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

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

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

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

KR 8 Research and development

To support and supervise complex service evaluation and audits.

To initiate and carry out appropriate research, where appropriate and as agreed with others in the eating disorders service (NB: not a major job requirement [major = 20% or more of job]).

To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to the eating disorders service, where appropriate and as agreed with others in the eating disorders service.

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

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist/psychotherapist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines (and any other relevant guidelines according to accrediting body).

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development (and any other relevant guidelines according to accrediting body).

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 Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.

To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

KR10 General

To travel to meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and situations of physical health risk, and to support others involved in such situations.

To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall Job Plan.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the adult eating disorder service, at levels expected of a psychologist who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

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

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

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

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

KR 5 Management and supervision

Line Management Responsibilities

Provide line management supervision to a small number of more junior psychologists/psychotherapists and/or psychological practitioners within the Eating Disorders service, in accordance with Trust policies and under the guidance of senior psychologists or relevant service or clinical leads.

Oversee areas such as performance, wellbeing, attendance, mandatory training compliance, and caseload monitoring.

Participate in the appraisal (PDR) process for more junior staff and contribute to recruitment and induction activities, as appropriate.

Escalate concerns regarding performance, conduct, or wellbeing in a timely manner and in line with Trust policy.

Contribute to workforce planning and the development of junior staff roles within the service.

Clinical Supervision Responsibilities

Provide regular clinical supervision to more junior psychologists/psychotherapists and/or other psychological professionals in accordance with Trust policy and professional guidelines, with support from a more senior psychologist.

Supervise the psychological work of multidisciplinary colleagues where appropriate.

Offer clinical supervision to trainee applied psychologists in own area of specialism, ensuring supervision supports their development and meets training requirements.

Maintain accurate records of supervision and support a culture of reflective practice and clinical learning within the team.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre- and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the eating disorders service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology/psychotherapy and eating disorders and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

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

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

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

KR 8 Research and development

To support and supervise complex service evaluation and audits.

To initiate and carry out appropriate research, where appropriate and as agreed with others in the eating disorders service (NB: not a major job requirement [major = 20% or more of job]).

To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to the eating disorders service, where appropriate and as agreed with others in the eating disorders service.

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

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist/psychotherapist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines (and any other relevant guidelines according to accrediting body).

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development (and any other relevant guidelines according to accrediting body).

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 Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.

To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

KR10 General

To travel to meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and situations of physical health risk, and to support others involved in such situations.

To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall Job Plan.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration as a clinical or counselling psychologist; or equivalent qualification and accreditation as a CBT therapist; or equivalent qualification and accreditation as a psychotherapist. (A/I)
Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, or with the BABCP as a CBT Therapist, or with UKCP or BACP as an accredited psychotherapist; and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the accrediting body. (A/I)
Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, OR an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Completed training course in clinical supervision. (A/I/R)

Experience

Essential

Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)
Experience of carrying out post-doctoral research, audit or service evaluation projects. (A/I)

Desirable

Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in eating disorders. (A/I)

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for adults with eating disorders. (A/I/R)
Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Knowledge of specialist teaching and training content in relation to eating disorders. (A/I/R)

Skills

Essential

To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Skills in undertaking physical health monitoring.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration as a clinical or counselling psychologist; or equivalent qualification and accreditation as a CBT therapist; or equivalent qualification and accreditation as a psychotherapist. (A/I)
Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, or with the BABCP as a CBT Therapist, or with UKCP or BACP as an accredited psychotherapist; and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the accrediting body. (A/I)
Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, OR an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Completed training course in clinical supervision. (A/I/R)

Experience

Essential

Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)
Experience of carrying out post-doctoral research, audit or service evaluation projects. (A/I)

Desirable

Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in eating disorders. (A/I)

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for adults with eating disorders. (A/I/R)
Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Knowledge of specialist teaching and training content in relation to eating disorders. (A/I/R)

Skills

Essential

To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Skills in undertaking physical health monitoring.

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).