Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

The closing date is 25 November 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an innovative, motivated and enthusiastic psychodynamic psychotherapist to join us in BIPPS. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an innovative, trauma-informed, and relationally focused service for people within the CEN pathway presenting with complex emotional and interpersonal difficulties, including those who may meet criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis. The pathway aims to increase access to psychologically-informed interventions for individuals who experience long-standing patterns of emotional dysregulation, difficulty in relationships, identity instability, and trauma-related distress. The service works to offer timely, consistent, and collaborative support to reduce crisis presentations and improve quality of life.

This would be an excellent opportunity for a psychodynamic psychotherapist interested in adapting the psychodynamic model to meet the needs of complex and sometimes refractory clinical presentations. This often requires a judicious and flexible relationship with the psychoanalytic stance and interpretative tasks. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates who are trained, experienced, or have an interest in providing short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Experience working within Complex Emotional Needs, personality disorder, or secondary care psychological services is desirable.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will contribute to the teams' specialist provision for clients presenting with complex emotional needs including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes. They will also provide specialist consultation to BIPPS colleagues as well as colleagues in the wider system. The post-holder will also conduct general psychological and psychotherapeutic assessments to inform the development of a person-centred care plan for clients accessing the service. They will also participate in service development initiatives, helping to shape psychodynamic provision within the CEN pathway.

The post-holder will also liaise with our associated mental health services in the area, such as the Inpatient Services, the Early Intervention in Psychosis service and the Home Treatment Team, as well as the other treatment pathways and MDTs, to ensure efficient and seamless patient care pathways and shared understanding of service eligibility criteria and treatment models and provision. The post-holder will be expected to work as an autonomous professional within BPC or UKCP guidelines and the overall framework of the service policies and procedures.

About us

CNWL is recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. With us, you will get:

  • A Trust committed to staff personal development, with a trust wide culture change and leadership programme that has staff wellbeing at its core.

  • An opportunity to work for one of the top 10 NHS employers

  • Flexible working

As a Trust we are committed to investing in our staff through a range of initiatives. Psychological professions staff are able to access a range of trust-wide CPD initiatives.

As part of our commitment to address inequalities in healthcare, we are keen to hear from applicants with lived experience relevant to the diverse communities we work with, and from those with particular skills in understanding and promoting anti-discrimination associated with protected characteristics.

The Trust has the following active Staff Networks: BAME Staff Network, Disabled Employees Network (DEN+), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Staff Network (LGBT+), Carers at Work Network, Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues Stigma Transformation (LEMHIST) Network and Women's Network. The post-holder will accordingly be supported to access and contribute to the work of any of these networks as a member or ally.

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year pa inc HCAS pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

333-J-BR-0783-A

Job locations

Park Royal Centre for Mental Health

Central Way

London

NW10 7NS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification on this advert for further info.

Clinicalresponsibilities

  • Provide specialist individual psychodynamic psychotherapy to clients with complex emotional and relational needs, in accordance with NICE guidance and local service models.This involves working with clients presented with (but not limited to) emotional and behavioural disturbance, parenting difficulties, acute and chronic mental and physical illness, deliberate self-harm, suicide risk, experiences of violence and trauma, and adult and child safeguarding.

  • Use highly developed skills in working with complex transference and countertransference dynamics, emotional containment, and the therapeutic frame.

  • Provide consultation and advice to colleagues from other disciplines regarding psychological and relational aspects of care.

  • To select and deliver specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a broad spectrum of systemic models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family or group.

  • To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management.

  • To act as lead professional where necessary, taking responsibility for the planning and reviewing of care plans for service users.

  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with service users. carers and colleagues taking account of communication needs.

  • To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities which make up the Borough of Brent. At all times to work in ways that are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of clients from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds, and to be aware and sensitive to the different contexts that shape different clients experiences, beliefs and perceptions. This will include working with interpreters.

Contributing to the wider service

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

  • To provide consultation to other clinical staff and, where appropriate, to jointly work with other team members in the provision of therapeutic interventions

  • To take a proactive stance in challenging discrimination and support the development of a culturally competent service.

  • To provide psychodynamically-informed advice and consultancy to local teams and services for clients.

  • To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals to develop and review care plans and to arrange and lead network meetings as appropriate.

  • To use theory, evidence-based literature and research to support clinical practice and work with other team members.

Policy and service development

  • To implement policies and procedures in own area of work.

  • To identify aspects of the service that could be improved and initiate and implement service development projects.

  • To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the team.

  • To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services.

Management of resources

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

Teaching and training

  • To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the Brent Integrated Psychology and Psychotherapy Service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in the field of clinical practice and Adult Mental Health and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

  • To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

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.

Research and development

  • To contribute to service evaluation and audits

  • To contribute to appropriate research within the service.

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

  • Initiate and participate in evaluating relevant approaches within specific areas of the service.

Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

  • Regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychodynamic psychotherapist will be available according to UKCP, BPC and Trust guidelines.

  • To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPC/UKCP and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the BPC/UKCP Continual Professional Development guidelines

  • To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

  • To adhere to the BPC/UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies and procedures

General

  • To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour and follow trust policies relating to its management.

  • To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.

This is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the role. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with their manager.

This job description will be reviewed regularly and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification on this advert for further info.

Clinicalresponsibilities

  • Provide specialist individual psychodynamic psychotherapy to clients with complex emotional and relational needs, in accordance with NICE guidance and local service models.This involves working with clients presented with (but not limited to) emotional and behavioural disturbance, parenting difficulties, acute and chronic mental and physical illness, deliberate self-harm, suicide risk, experiences of violence and trauma, and adult and child safeguarding.

  • Use highly developed skills in working with complex transference and countertransference dynamics, emotional containment, and the therapeutic frame.

  • Provide consultation and advice to colleagues from other disciplines regarding psychological and relational aspects of care.

  • To select and deliver specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a broad spectrum of systemic models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family or group.

  • To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management.

  • To act as lead professional where necessary, taking responsibility for the planning and reviewing of care plans for service users.

  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with service users. carers and colleagues taking account of communication needs.

  • To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities which make up the Borough of Brent. At all times to work in ways that are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of clients from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds, and to be aware and sensitive to the different contexts that shape different clients experiences, beliefs and perceptions. This will include working with interpreters.

Contributing to the wider service

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

  • To provide consultation to other clinical staff and, where appropriate, to jointly work with other team members in the provision of therapeutic interventions

  • To take a proactive stance in challenging discrimination and support the development of a culturally competent service.

  • To provide psychodynamically-informed advice and consultancy to local teams and services for clients.

  • To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals to develop and review care plans and to arrange and lead network meetings as appropriate.

  • To use theory, evidence-based literature and research to support clinical practice and work with other team members.

Policy and service development

  • To implement policies and procedures in own area of work.

  • To identify aspects of the service that could be improved and initiate and implement service development projects.

  • To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the team.

  • To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services.

Management of resources

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

Teaching and training

  • To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the Brent Integrated Psychology and Psychotherapy Service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in the field of clinical practice and Adult Mental Health and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

  • To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

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.

Research and development

  • To contribute to service evaluation and audits

  • To contribute to appropriate research within the service.

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

  • Initiate and participate in evaluating relevant approaches within specific areas of the service.

Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

  • Regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychodynamic psychotherapist will be available according to UKCP, BPC and Trust guidelines.

  • To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPC/UKCP and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the BPC/UKCP Continual Professional Development guidelines

  • To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

  • To adhere to the BPC/UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies and procedures

General

  • To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour and follow trust policies relating to its management.

  • To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.

This is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the role. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with their manager.

This job description will be reviewed regularly and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from an accredited training organisation (e.g., BPC, UKCP, or equivalent).
  • Current professional registration with an appropriate regulatory body (e.g., BPC, UKCP, HCPC).

Desirable

  • Additional training in short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy or other brief relational therapies - eg DIT
  • Additional training in working with personality difficulties, trauma-informed approaches, or complex emotional needs.

Experience

Essential

  • Post-qualification clinical experience delivering individual psychodynamic psychotherapy to adults presenting with complex emotional needs, personality difficulties, or relational trauma.
  • Experience of providing short-term or time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy for clients with complex emotional and interpersonal difficulties.
  • Experience of working in NHS secondary care or community mental health services, ideally within a CEN, personality disorder, or trauma-informed pathway.

Desirable

  • Experience in providing supervision or consultation to other professionals and staff groups

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Advanced understanding of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory, with particular reference to short-term and focused interventions.
  • Knowledge of NICE guidelines relating to complex emotional needs and personality disorder.
  • Understanding of trauma-informed and relational approaches within the context of complex emotional needs.
Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from an accredited training organisation (e.g., BPC, UKCP, or equivalent).
  • Current professional registration with an appropriate regulatory body (e.g., BPC, UKCP, HCPC).

Desirable

  • Additional training in short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy or other brief relational therapies - eg DIT
  • Additional training in working with personality difficulties, trauma-informed approaches, or complex emotional needs.

Experience

Essential

  • Post-qualification clinical experience delivering individual psychodynamic psychotherapy to adults presenting with complex emotional needs, personality difficulties, or relational trauma.
  • Experience of providing short-term or time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy for clients with complex emotional and interpersonal difficulties.
  • Experience of working in NHS secondary care or community mental health services, ideally within a CEN, personality disorder, or trauma-informed pathway.

Desirable

  • Experience in providing supervision or consultation to other professionals and staff groups

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Advanced understanding of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory, with particular reference to short-term and focused interventions.
  • Knowledge of NICE guidelines relating to complex emotional needs and personality disorder.
  • Understanding of trauma-informed and relational approaches within the context of complex emotional needs.

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).

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.

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).

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

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Park Royal Centre for Mental Health

Central Way

London

NW10 7NS


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Park Royal Centre for Mental Health

Central Way

London

NW10 7NS


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Dr Alex Fowke

alex.fowke1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year pa inc HCAS pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

333-J-BR-0783-A

Job locations

Park Royal Centre for Mental Health

Central Way

London

NW10 7NS


Supporting documents

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