CAMHS Highly Specialist Therapist (N&S DBT)
The closing date is 22 June 2026
The N&S CAMHS DBT Service is looking for an experienced and committed Senior DBT Therapist to join our established Dialectical Behaviour Therapy team. This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a high‑quality, evidence‑based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme with young people and their parents and carers. There are also opportunities to be involved in our active programme of research and service evaluation, as well as teaching, supervision and consultation to other NHS teams.
We believe diversity is a strength and we particularly welcome applications from those underrepresented in psychology, i.e. minoritised racial, ethnic and cultural groups, as well as people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.
Main duties of the job
* To provide highly specialist clinical input to the N&S CAMHS DBT Service including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
* To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment and developing anti‑racism knowledge and practice.
* To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, within and outside of the team, functioning as a lead specialist in DBT.
* To undertake service evaluation, audit and research projects.
About us
The National & Specialist CAMHS Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Service is a well‑established and supportive team based at the Michael Rutter Centre, Maudsley Hospital. The multi‑disciplinary service consists of Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, a Senior Systemic Psychotherapist, Nurses and a Consultant Psychiatrist, and is open to referrals within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Greater London Boroughs and Nationally. As a service we offer a comprehensive, evidence‑based DBT‑A Programme (DBT adapted for working with adolescents and their parents/carers, as recommended by NICE for young people with frequent self‑harm and emotion dysregulation difficulties). The team offers all modes of a standard DBT‑A programme including individual therapy, skills groups for young people and their parents/carers, telephone coaching, parent/carer/family sessions, and team consultation. We see young people aged 13‑17 who meet our inclusion criteria (they struggle primarily with severe self‑harm, suicidality, and related problems). The treatment targets self‑harm behaviours and other high‑risk behaviours and helps young people learn to manage their emotions, improve their relationships with others and to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings.
Job responsibilities
* Provide highly specialist psychosocial assessments, formulations and adherent DBT and related interventions for clients in the N&S CAMHS DBT Service, working with young people with emotion dysregulation, self‑harm and suicidality, complex PTSD and comorbidities such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders, and their parents/carers.
* Assess and monitor risk and to develop and implement appropriate risk management plans.
* Respond appropriately and effectively to emotionally distressing situations (including young people presenting with imminent risk concerns) and support others in doing so.
* Contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse communities.
* Be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
* Utilise theory and research to support evidence‑based practice in providing treatment and supporting the work of other team members.
* Contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
* Contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
* Be responsible for the clinical supervision of Band 7 DBT Therapists.
* Supervise trainee clinicians, within own area of specialism.
* Provide teaching, supervision and consultation to other NHS teams, as appropriate.
* Contribute to research, service evaluation and audit projects.
* Disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
* Receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior clinician according to professional, HCPC and Trust guidelines.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, or MSc, PG Diploma or Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or equivalent nursing/family therapy/OT etc. qualification; or first level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RNLD; or other mental health professional training that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I)
* Additional training in DBT through formal post‑qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice‑based learning in DBT, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. (A/I)
* Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or management. (A/I)
* Formal, foundational training in DBT‑Prolonged Exposure (DBT‑PE), EMDR or other evidence‑based treatment for PTSD. (A/I)
Experience
* Evidence of considerable experience working as a DBT Therapist in a comprehensive DBT programme. (A/I)
* Experience of specialist assessment and treatment of clients with a range of complex mental health needs who present with emotion dysregulation, self‑harm, suicidality, PTSD and problems of over‑ and under‑control related to eating. (A/I)
* Evidence of supervising other practitioners in the delivery of psychological interventions. (A/I)
* Post‑qualification experience of working in a CAMHS setting
* Experience of working within a DBT service (including running DBT groups with young people and their parents/carers). (A/I)
Understanding and Knowledge
* Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of young people with self‑harm/emotion dysregulation/emerging EUPD and PTSD. (A/I)
* Advanced knowledge of complex CAMHS assessments and clinical psychometrics. (A/I)
* Understanding and knowledge of child protection procedures and safeguarding. (A/I)
* Understanding and knowledge of CAMHS care pathways within the NHS. (A/I)
Skills
* Ability to deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/)
* Skills in providing teaching and training to multi‑professional groups. (A/I)
* Skills in delivering CBT protocols with young people. (A/I)
* Skills in providing supervision/consultation to teams. (A/I)
Abilities
* Ability to work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I)
* Ability to develop and use complex multi‑media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings. (A/I)
* Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self‑harming or aggressive behaviour. (A/I)
* Ability to work with young people with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD. (A/I)
* Ability to convene and chair multi‑disciplinary/multi‑agency meetings with young people and their families. (A/I)
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.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People (PMCYP)
Salary
£66,274 to £73,496 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (Inner)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part‑time
Reference number
334‑CLI‑8015095
Job locations
Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People (PMCYP)
#J-18808-Ljbffr