Job summary
We welcome eligible applications to an innovative NHS fully funded three year training programme leading to dual qualifications as Accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Accredited Brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) practitioner. Applicants will be graduates (or able to demonstrate professional and academic equivalence) with a commitment to the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (TTaD) model. The programme starts late September 2025 and is a joint recruitment between Hillingdon Talking Therapies, provided by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, as the participating site service and the University of Roehampton and Anna Freud Centre providing the national curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling (DIT pathway).
Attendance is required both at the site and university on prescribed days through training.
The NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counselling national curriculum delivers a Foundation level training with eligibility to apply to continue to Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma training in Psychotherapeutic Counselling leading to qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist in NHS TTad services delivering NICE-recommended evidence based psychological therapy for adults with depression. Pay in Yr1 Foundation level training is Agenda for Change (AfC) band 5, and Yrs 2 and 3 Diploma level is AfC band 6 with outer London weighting reflected in the pay bands advertised.
Main duties of the job
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 Talking Therapies service users with depression, and their families where appropriate.
- Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national 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.
Training Requirements:
- A one-year core psychotherapeutic counselling Foundation level training, which also introduces the psychodynamic theory. Following sign off for readiness, enables practice in the service with people with mild to moderate depression
- A two-year Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in psychotherapeutic counselling (minimum 120 credits at Level 7)
- Embedded training in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy aligning to the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (TTad) national curriculum.
- 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 (self funded)
- Individual registration in line with the TTad Manual (see the Manual for more details).
About us
Hillingdon Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression is provided through Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. We are a high performing, friendly and clinically focussed team. Our primary hub is in central Uxbridge, with good public transport links.
You will join a team of CBT therapists, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and counsellors. Supervision is provided by qualified accredited and experienced supervisors and trainees are well supported with additional dedicated input.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent. 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.
- Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and introductory courses are not acceptable.
- 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.
As part of your application please include a personal statement (up to 1,000 words) reflecting on your motivation for choosing this career pathway and your readiness to engage in this emotionally demanding and transformative training (e.g. capacity to cope with the emotional demands of training, ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement, ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress, ability to be vulnerable and make use and reflect upon own life experience).
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent. 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.
- Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and introductory courses are not acceptable.
- 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.
As part of your application please include a personal statement (up to 1,000 words) reflecting on your motivation for choosing this career pathway and your readiness to engage in this emotionally demanding and transformative training (e.g. capacity to cope with the emotional demands of training, ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement, ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress, ability to be vulnerable and make use and reflect upon own life experience).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
- Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3).
Experience
Essential
- Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the NHS TTad stepped model of care
- Evidence of working within a team environment
- Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Desirable
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
- Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Experience managing own caseload and time
- Evidence of working in the local community
- Experience of working in partnership with other services
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to integrate training into practice
- Capacity for reflexivity
- Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
Desirable
- Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activity positively and effectively
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
- Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3).
Experience
Essential
- Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the NHS TTad stepped model of care
- Evidence of working within a team environment
- Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Desirable
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health
- Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Experience managing own caseload and time
- Evidence of working in the local community
- Experience of working in partnership with other services
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to integrate training into practice
- Capacity for reflexivity
- Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
Desirable
- Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activity positively and effectively
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
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).
