Job summary
Therapeutic Counselling Trainees in Couples Counselling for Depression
THERAPY FOR YOU (IAPT) SERVICE SE (Southend) and NE Essex (Colchester)
Therapy For You is an IAPT primary care therapy service based in SE and NE Essex working from our own premises, GP surgeries and community settings. We deliver a range of services including self-help psycho educational courses, therapy groups, online/digital therapeutic services and individual therapies.
An opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and highly motivated applicants to apply for a three year post-graduate programme that enables qualifiers to provide Couples Counselling for Depression (CTfD), a NICE-recommended therapy for adults with depression in an adult IAPT setting.
The course will provide a Foundation level, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) training in CTfD, leading to a qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist in IAPT services delivering NICE-recommended evidence based psychological therapy for adults with depression. Recruitment for the courses will be aimed at graduates (and those who can demonstrate professional and academic equivalence) with a commitment to the IAPT model.
You would be joining a friendly, dynamic service that thrives on innovation and prioritises staff wellbeing. We look forward to receiving applications from people passionate about working in mental health.
Please indicate in your personal statement which area you are applying to, either NE Essex or SE Essex.
Main duties of the job
ROLE SUMMARY
- 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 IAPT service users with depression, and their families where appropriate.
- To develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competence in CTfD, in line with the needs of service users, families and carers.
- To ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national IAPT Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.
- To promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Open, Compassionate and Empowering. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer, the Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have theopportunity for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Interviews
We now offer face to face interviews as well as virtual.
The decision on which type of interview will be made by the recruiting manager however if you have a preference due to circumstance please contact us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL
- To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.
- Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in IAPT services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an IAPT stepped care setting and in line with the IAPT Manual.
- Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
- Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.
- Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.
- Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the IAPT Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.
- Adhere to an agreed level of activity 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.
- Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.
- Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
- Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped case approach within the IAPT Service.
Further details available from JD and PS documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL
- To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.
- Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in IAPT services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an IAPT stepped care setting and in line with the IAPT Manual.
- Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
- Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.
- Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.
- Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the IAPT Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.
- Adhere to an agreed level of activity 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.
- Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.
- Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.
- Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped case approach within the IAPT Service.
Further details available from JD and PS documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential
- A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry. OR 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
- 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/distance learning courses are not acceptable.
Desirable
- In a psychology related field
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Proficiency in reading, writing and spoken English of a standard necessary to support academic study and professional practice at Level 7
- Ability to integrate training into practice
- Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy
- Ability to listen, be present and attentive
- Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
Desirable
- Fluency in another language
Additional Criteria
Essential
- 2.9Trainees will be required to complete, and self fund, a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. The therapy must be in the overarching theoretical orientation of the training (i.e. humanistic/person-centred or psychoanalytic/psychodynamic).
- Able attend all taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills.
Personal Qualities and Competencies
Essential
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Ability to work individually or within a team and foster good working relationships
- Excellent time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
- Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care
- Ability to listen, be present and attentive
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the IAPT stepped model of care
- Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
Desirable
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential
- A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry. OR 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
- 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/distance learning courses are not acceptable.
Desirable
- In a psychology related field
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Proficiency in reading, writing and spoken English of a standard necessary to support academic study and professional practice at Level 7
- Ability to integrate training into practice
- Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy
- Ability to listen, be present and attentive
- Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
Desirable
- Fluency in another language
Additional Criteria
Essential
- 2.9Trainees will be required to complete, and self fund, a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. The therapy must be in the overarching theoretical orientation of the training (i.e. humanistic/person-centred or psychoanalytic/psychodynamic).
- Able attend all taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills.
Personal Qualities and Competencies
Essential
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Ability to work individually or within a team and foster good working relationships
- Excellent time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
- Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care
- Ability to listen, be present and attentive
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the IAPT stepped model of care
- Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
Desirable
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
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.
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).
Additional information
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).
