Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Psychotherapeutic Counselling Trainee (Counselling for Depression)

The closing date is 01 August 2025

Job summary

Therapy For You is an NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression service based in NE Essex working from our own premises, GP surgeries and community settings. We deliver a range of services including self-help psycho educational courses, therapy groups, online/digital therapeutic services and individual therapies.

An opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and highly motivated applicants to apply for a three year post-graduate programme that enables qualifiers to provide Counselling for Depression (CfD), a NICE-recommended therapy for adults with depression in NHS Talking Therapies.

The course will provide a Foundation level, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) training in CfD, leading to a qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist in IAPT services delivering NICE-recommended evidence based psychological therapy for adults with depression.

You will be required to submit two applications - one to Metanoia and the second via this advert. Please complete the Metanoia application first.

To begin the Metanoia Institute element of the application process, please click here to start your application

The first interview will be with Metanoia, with suitable candidates then being shortlisted for a second interview with Therapy for You.

Whilst training you are required to undertake a minimum of 50 hours of self-funded personal therapy during the course.

Main duties of the job

ROLE SUMMARY

o 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 NHS TT service users with depression, and their families where appropriate.

o To develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competence in CfD, in line with the needs of service users, families and carers.

o To ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national NHS TT Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.

o To promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.

Applicants will be required to attend in-person training at Metanoia alongside working with our service.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

  • Season Ticket Loans
  • NHS discounts for staff
  • Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
  • Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
  • The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
  • Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Year 1 - Band 5, Years 2 and 3 - Band 6

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

40 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9190

Job locations

Holmer Court

Essex Street

Colchester

CO3 3BT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL

To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.

Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in IAPT services in the self management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an IAPT stepped care setting and in line with the IAPT Manual.

Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.

Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.

Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the IAPT Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.

Adhere to an agreed level of activity relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped case approach within the IAPT Service.

Further details available from JD and PS documents.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL

To accept referrals via agreed pathways and protocols within the service.

Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in IAPT services in the self management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an IAPT stepped care setting and in line with the IAPT Manual.

Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the services referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the persons treatment to low intensity intervention.

Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.

Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the IAPT Manual, the evidence base, service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.

Adhere to an agreed level of activity relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.

Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.

Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped case approach within the IAPT Service.

Further details available from JD and PS documents.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry OR 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.
  • All candidates should have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, which ordinarily involves a minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of tuition at level 2 or level 3. Online asynchronous courses are not acceptable. Please note: L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not accepted.

Desirable

  • In a psychology related field

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
  • Evidence of working within a team environment
  • Evidence of ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters

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 are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Experience managing own caseload and time
  • Evidence of working in local community
  • Experience of working in partnership with other services

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to integrate training into practice
  • Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion and empathy
  • Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
  • Able to listen, be present and attentive
  • Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress
  • Capacity for reflexivity
  • Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
  • Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement
  • Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality, and the nature of prejudice and oppression
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills, including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Computer literate - with skills required to manage electronic patient records
  • Demonstrates and understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
  • Able to meet all the requirements of the training
  • Able to complete academic components of the full training programme
  • High level of motivation to complete the training and to work in NHS Talking Therapies services
  • Ability to foster good working relationships
  • Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with patients, and in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Willingness and ability to travel to the training provider and within the service geographical area
  • Willingness and ability to work through interpreters

Desirable

  • Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activities positively and effectively
  • Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • A degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, should be considered the minimum requirement for entry OR 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.
  • All candidates should have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, which ordinarily involves a minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of tuition at level 2 or level 3. Online asynchronous courses are not acceptable. Please note: L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not accepted.

Desirable

  • In a psychology related field

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
  • Evidence of working within a team environment
  • Evidence of ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters

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 are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Experience managing own caseload and time
  • Evidence of working in local community
  • Experience of working in partnership with other services

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to integrate training into practice
  • Demonstrates warmth, kindness, compassion and empathy
  • Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability
  • Able to listen, be present and attentive
  • Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress
  • Capacity for reflexivity
  • Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
  • Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement
  • Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality, and the nature of prejudice and oppression
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills, including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Computer literate - with skills required to manage electronic patient records
  • Demonstrates and understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
  • Able to meet all the requirements of the training
  • Able to complete academic components of the full training programme
  • High level of motivation to complete the training and to work in NHS Talking Therapies services
  • Ability to foster good working relationships
  • Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with patients, and in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Willingness and ability to travel to the training provider and within the service geographical area
  • Willingness and ability to work through interpreters

Desirable

  • Received training in and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development activities positively and effectively
  • Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Holmer Court

Essex Street

Colchester

CO3 3BT


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Holmer Court

Essex Street

Colchester

CO3 3BT


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Service

Gareth Walton

garethwalton@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Year 1 - Band 5, Years 2 and 3 - Band 6

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

40 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9190

Job locations

Holmer Court

Essex Street

Colchester

CO3 3BT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)