Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

CAT Therapist

The closing date is 08 February 2026

Job summary

Applications are invited for a 0.6 WTE Band 7 Cognitive Analytic Therapist (CAT) post. You will be an integral member of the Mid and North Hampshire Divisions psychological therapies team. The post will primarily be based across the CMHTs within the Mid & North Division; Andover, Winchester and Basingstoke CMHTs. Applicants should have a desire to embrace MDT working, training and team development. This post offers the opportunity to influence best clinical practice and the development of a psychologically informed and recovery focused CMHT.We are seeking an enthusiastic clinician who has specialist skills and training in Cognitive Analytic Therapy and is experienced in working with people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. The post holder will provide specialist psychological assessment and therapy individually and through group programmes as well as offering advice, consultation, reflective practice, clinical formulation and training to staff within the multidisciplinary teams. Evaluation of interventions and the impact of the service in terms of benefit to clients is an important component of what we strive to do. The post holder will require specialist knowledge and experience in the application of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT).The post will be based across Bridge Centre Basingstoke, Chantry House Andover and Cromwell House Winchester so you will need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work use.

Main duties of the job

To provide high quality specialised Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) to clients across the CMHTs within the Mid & North Division; Andover, Winchester and Basingstoke CMHTs

To provide specialist psychological assessment and treatment to clients in these settings. The work will also involve working with other people involved in the clients care (e.g. family or named carers). A recovery focused approach is essential.

To offer advice, consultation and supervision on clients psychological care to other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Emphasis here is on having an understanding/appreciation of the complex nature of the mental health care system and to develop insight and understanding to all others involved in clients care.

To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development, and research in line with service need; to contribute to a research culture in the clinical team

To provide teaching and training in line with the service needs identified.

The post-holder will place an emphasis on co-production and demonstrate an attitude which respects and values clients and their carers and the core values of the trust: patients and people first; partnership; and respect.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.

Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.

We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.

Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence

Date posted

26 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

348-MNH-10284

Job locations

The Bridge Centre (Basingstoke)

New Road

Basingstoke

Hampshire

RG21 7PJ

Chantry House, 2nd Floor

Service Yard

Andover

Hampshire

SP10 1RL

Cromwell House

15 Andover Road

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 7BT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Clinical/Applied Psychologist or Qualification as RMN,Dip SW, Dip OT or BSc OT with post-qualification in psychological therapy equivalent to a diploma or Masters level qualification or above.Applications from Mental Health Practitioners/Associate Mental Health Practitioner will be considered.
Advanced post-registration training in Cognitive Analytic Therapy(CAT).
Registration with relevant psychological professional body(e.g.HCPC,BABCP,DBT,ACAT).

Desirable

Training and qualifications in CBT, DBT, research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Experience

Essential

Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment,intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
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.
Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.

Additional Criteria

Essential

Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Clinical/Applied Psychologist or Qualification as RMN,Dip SW, Dip OT or BSc OT with post-qualification in psychological therapy equivalent to a diploma or Masters level qualification or above.Applications from Mental Health Practitioners/Associate Mental Health Practitioner will be considered.
Advanced post-registration training in Cognitive Analytic Therapy(CAT).
Registration with relevant psychological professional body(e.g.HCPC,BABCP,DBT,ACAT).

Desirable

Training and qualifications in CBT, DBT, research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Experience

Essential

Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment,intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
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.
Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.

Additional Criteria

Essential

Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.

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

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

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Bridge Centre (Basingstoke)

New Road

Basingstoke

Hampshire

RG21 7PJ

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Bridge Centre (Basingstoke)

New Road

Basingstoke

Hampshire

RG21 7PJ

Employer's website

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