Overview
We are seeking six experienced and motivated Band 7 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Therapists to join Adult Core Mental Health Services across Devon, with two posts in each locality:
North and Mid Devon
Exeter and East Devon
Torbay, South and West Devon
These posts will deliver DBT programmes, including individual therapy and group skills training, to adults with complex emotional and relational difficulties, often linked to personality disorder or significant emotion dysregulation.
Post holders will work within a developing evidence-based DBT pathway, holding a defined caseload and delivering the full range of DBT interventions, including individual therapy, skills groups, and weekly consultation meetings.
The role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary CMHT colleagues to provide coordinated, trauma-informed, recovery-focused care, while supporting the embedding of DBT principles and psychologically informed practice.
This is an opportunity to contribute to a countywide initiative enhancing access to structured psychological interventions. Post holders will receive supervision from an accredited DBT supervisor, CPD opportunities, and involvement in service development and evaluation.
Main duties of the job
* Deliver DBT individual therapy and co-facilitate skills groups in line with the evidence-based model, including behavioural analysis, telephone coaching, and participation in weekly DBT consultation meetings.
* Work collaboratively within Community Mental Health Teams to provide coordinated, trauma-informed, recovery-focused care.
* Undertake assessments, formulations, and risk management, maintaining accurate clinical records. Contribute to local DBT pathway development, provide supervision or consultation to colleagues, and promote psychologically informed practice.
* Engage in service evaluation, quality improvement, and outcome monitoring to ensure fidelity and effectiveness.
* Maintain professional registration, supervision, and CPD.
* Uphold ethical standards, equality, diversity, and trauma-informed care principles; and support a compassionate, collaborative team culture across Adult Core Mental Health Services.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
Key Elements of the Role:
Deliver individual DBT therapy and co-facilitate DBT skills groups.
Participate in weekly DBT consultation meetings.
Contribute to formulation, care planning, and multidisciplinary reviews.
Support implementation of DBT principles across the service.
Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to outcome monitoring.
Provide training, consultation, and guidance on DBT-informed approaches.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Elements of the Role:
* Deliver individual DBT therapy and co-facilitate DBT skills groups.
* Participate in weekly DBT consultation meetings.
* Contribute to formulation, care planning, and multidisciplinary reviews.
* Support implementation of DBT principles across the service.
* Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to outcome monitoring.
* Provide training, consultation, and guidance on DBT-informed approaches.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
* Deliver DBT individual therapy and co-facilitate skills groups, ensuring fidelity to the model.
* Participate in weekly DBT consultation meetings.
* Conduct psychological assessments, formulations, and risk management.
* Collaborate with CMHTs and other services to provide integrated, trauma-informed care.
* Maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust and professional standards.
Leadership, Supervision and Training
* Promote DBT-informed practice across Adult Core Mental Health Services.
* Contribute to the development and delivery of local DBT pathways.
* Provide mentorship or supervision to junior or trainee staff where appropriate.
* Participate in regular DBT supervision and reflective practice.
Service Development and Evaluation
* Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and outcome measurement of DBT services.
* Participate in quality improvement initiatives and Trust-wide DBT developments.
* Support development of service protocols and operational procedures.
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
* Maintain professional registration, CPD, and adherence to professional codes of conduct.
* Demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity, and trauma-informed care principles.
* Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture reflecting Trust values.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience working in secondary care mental health services.
* Skills in applying DBT theory to individuals, couples, family systems, groups, and organisations.
* Advanced skills in assessment, formulation, engagement, and interventions.
* Experience of working as a DBT Therapist within a Mental Health setting.
* Knowledge and experience of national targets (e.g., Access & Waiting Time Standards).
* Experience working with people with severe and complex mental health problems, using DBT as a significant part of the role.
* Experience of teaching and training others in DBT skills/approaches.
* Experience of running DBT groups and skills training.
* Experience of supervising staff in using DBT.
* Completed clinical audits within a service.
Qualifications
* Registered qualification at graduate diploma level in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Arts Therapy, or within a psychological therapy discipline.
* Completed Diploma level training in DBT (or above) OR willingness to undertake Diploma level training and be paid at Band 6 until completion.
* Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this.
* Trained in provision of supervision for DBT.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
* Ability to make judgements involving complex facts or situations.
* Experience of carrying out risk assessments within scope of practice.
* Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively.
* Ability to be self-reflective in personal and professional development.
Communication & Working Relationships
* Ability to communicate highly complex information with empathy and sensitivity.
* Full range of skills and competencies as laid out in the DBT competence framework.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* High standards of written communication, including email and internet use.
* Ability to write clear reports and letters to referrers.
* Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
* Advanced communication skills and ability to work within a team.
* Ability to act as an advocate for the service and foster integration with other health services.
* Ability to provide detailed advice to professionals and non-specialists.
* Compassionate with exceptional interpersonal skills, sensitive and empathetic.
* Listens to others views, respecting individual needs.
Planning & Organisational Skills
* Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan activities.
* Ability to plan and prioritise workload.
* Ability to meet agreed service targets.
* Ability to manage own caseload 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.
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