Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Counselling for Depression Relational Therapist

The closing date is 20 October 2025

Job summary

This role isnoteligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Are you a Counsellor or Psychotherapist looking for career development within the NHS?

Would you like to join our team of friendly and highly skilled Counsellors and Psychological Therapists providing therapeutic interventions to patients with mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety?

Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Talking Therapies provide therapy across all NICE concordant Relational Therapies and offer supervision specific to each modality. If you are looking for a role where your therapy skills will be enhanced and developed and want to join a service working towards excellence this is the job for you.

We have an opportunity for a funded training position provided by NHS England across the service working Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will obtain a NICE approved Talking Therapies qualification and move into a permanent Band 7 post as a Counselling for Depression High Intensity Therapist.

We provide you with resources for continual professional development, and a wide range of wellbeing and support.

To discuss the role please contact us:stwtt@mpft.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job

  • A typical week will involve working autonomously and as part of a team. You will be learning through study and in practice, developing skills and competence.
  • Under supervision you will work collaboratively with patients in your care to assess and provide psychological interventions, supporting individuals to work towards recovery.
  • You will maintain clear and accurate clinical records and will be supported to embed learning and reflect on your practice via regular clinical supervision, recording clinical sessions for academic purposes.
  • You will be involved in various aspects of clinical practice, for example, undertaking patient assessments, and offering therapy in the modality you are training in.
  • You will be actively able to participate in other aspects of the service to include referral meetings, clinical skills sessions, and other areas of interest.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

06 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

301-KM-25-7514320

Job locations

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies

Shrewsbury

SY1 4RQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this post please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this post please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A minimum two-year post-graduate (or equivalent) qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology, comprising no less than 450 hours programme contact AND no less than 100 hours supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 350 hours of supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice
  • Demonstratable experience of working within mental health services
  • Experience of conducting accurate and detailed clinical assessments and management of risk

Desirable

  • More than 450 hours supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a service with patients who have mild/moderate mental health problems
  • Worked within a service whereby agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Experience of working within a stepped care service for anxiety and depression

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

Desirable

  • Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Skills & Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
  • Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A minimum two-year post-graduate (or equivalent) qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology, comprising no less than 450 hours programme contact AND no less than 100 hours supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 350 hours of supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice
  • Demonstratable experience of working within mental health services
  • Experience of conducting accurate and detailed clinical assessments and management of risk

Desirable

  • More than 450 hours supervised counselling or psychotherapy practice
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a service with patients who have mild/moderate mental health problems
  • Worked within a service whereby agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Experience of working within a stepped care service for anxiety and depression

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

Desirable

  • Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Skills & Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
  • Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

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

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies

Shrewsbury

SY1 4RQ


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies

Shrewsbury

SY1 4RQ


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead

Koda Harris

STWTT@mpft.nhs.uk

03001236020

Details

Date posted

06 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

301-KM-25-7514320

Job locations

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies

Shrewsbury

SY1 4RQ


Supporting documents

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