Trainee High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (DIT Pathway)

Job summary

Join Us as a Trainee High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (DIT Pathway)

Inclusion Thurrock NHS Talking Therapies (NHSTT) is offering an exciting training post with a clear career route:

o Band 5 during the foundation year of Psychotherapeutic Counselling training.o Band 6 on completion of the foundation year.o Permanent Band 7 position as a qualified High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.About the Roleo This post follows the NHSTT national curriculum, which delivers NICE-recommended, evidence-based therapies within a stepped-care model.o The foundation year leads to a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7), qualifying you to deliver high intensity Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) for adults with depression.Training and Start Dateo Training begins in September 2025.o University attendance includes a teaching block at the start, then two days per week.o Three days per week will be spent in clinical practice within our service, starting with psychodynamic counselling and progressing to DIT.Who We're Looking Foro Graduates or those with equivalent professional and academic experience.o Commitment to the NHSTT model and willingness to attend all required teaching and self-study days.o We welcome applicants who can deliver therapy in languages other than English, reflecting Thurrock's diverse community.

Main duties of the job

o Work with adults experiencing mild to moderate depression, delivering time-limited counselling in line with the NHSTT Manual, under close supervision during training.

o Conduct patient-centred assessments, agree therapy goals, assess risk, and decide on appropriate care pathways (step-up, step-down, or referral).

o Provide counselling sessions in person, via video, or by telephone, maintaining an agreed caseload and activity levels to ensure timely access to treatment.

o Keep accurate and coherent clinical records, use outcome measures to inform treatment, and contribute to service data requirements.

o Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner services to ensure a consistent stepped-care approach.

o Attend all university-based teaching and complete academic, practical, and placement requirements of the DIT training programme.

o Engage in regular supervision, reflect on feedback, and actively apply learning to clinical practice.

o Complete a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy (in a psychodynamic approach) across the duration of the training.

o Operate with professionalism, maintaining confidentiality, ethical standards, and an inclusive values base that respects diversity.

o Contribute to service development and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant policies, guidelines, and evidence-based practice.

About us

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Inclusion service offers psychological and drug & alcohol services, in the community, and in prisons, and has contracts across the country.

As an organisation we serve a population of 1.5 million and currently employ around 9000 members of staff.

We have a wide range of exciting opportunities for people looking to work in a truly integrated NHS organisation. By joining MPFT you will become part of a team who are empowered and supported to deliver care in a way which is consistent with our values:

• Putting people at the heart of what we do
• Empowering people to improve care and wellbeing
• Delivering better health, better care in partnership