Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Principal Group Analyst / Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

We are seeking two experienced Group Analysts or Psychodynamic Psychotherapists to join our Complex Emotional Needs Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work with individuals whose early life experiences have shaped complex patterns of relating to themselves and others. Our service provides specialist psychotherapy through Group Analytic Psychotherapy, Mentalisation-Based Therapy and Family Therapy to help clients reflect on and change unhelpful coping mechanisms.

You will play a key role in delivering high-quality psychotherapy groups, preparing clients through individual sessions and formulation and contributing to the ongoing development of our service in line with the Community Mental Health Framework. Collaboration is central to our approach. We work closely with patients, their networks and colleagues across primary, secondary, and voluntary sectors.

Two part-time roles available: one is 2 days a week situated in the North Locality. The other is 3 days a week situated in Exeter East & Mid. There may be flexibility regarding hours (potential additional hours), so please enquire.

What Were Looking For

Qualified Group Analysts or Psychodynamic Psychotherapists with a strong interest in group analytic theory and practice.
Excellent skills in assessment & formulation.
Experience working in secondary mental health services and/or with individuals with complex emotional needs or personality disorder.
Registration with an appropriate professional body (e.g., UKCP, BPC).

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will deliver psychotherapy groups informed by Group Analytic Psychotherapy, provide clinical leadership, supervision, and training to colleagues and trainees, and work autonomously within professional and Trust guidelines. You will also contribute to service development and outcome monitoring, while actively participating in team meetings and group supervision to ensure high standards of care and collaborative practice.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a supportive, specialist team committed to improving outcomes for people with complex emotional needs.
Opportunities for professional development and regular supervision.
Help shape innovative approaches to care within the new Community Mental Health Framework.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0940

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of work with personality disorders in a range of settings or agencies.
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Experience and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.

Desirable

Experience of undertaking leadership roles within psychotherapy services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi disciplinary, multi agency contexts.

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Group Analyst or Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.
Registration with IGA/ BPC/ UKCP/ other regulatory/professional body.

Desirable

Specialist training in delivering clinical supervision.
Further training in clinical specialism (personality disorders)
Experience of delivering psychotherapy within the NHS

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of specialist services and of the services in the NHS where psychotherapy is commonly applied.
Knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of psychotherapy.
Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.

Desirable

Understanding of the policy context of specialist psychotherapy services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of work with personality disorders in a range of settings or agencies.
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
Experience and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.

Desirable

Experience of undertaking leadership roles within psychotherapy services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi disciplinary, multi agency contexts.

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Group Analyst or Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.
Registration with IGA/ BPC/ UKCP/ other regulatory/professional body.

Desirable

Specialist training in delivering clinical supervision.
Further training in clinical specialism (personality disorders)
Experience of delivering psychotherapy within the NHS

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of specialist services and of the services in the NHS where psychotherapy is commonly applied.
Knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of psychotherapy.
Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.

Desirable

Understanding of the policy context of specialist psychotherapy services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.

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.