The closing date is 14th Sep 2025
Anticipated Interview date(s) 22nd September
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Psychological Therapist or Counsellor to join NHS Somerset Talking Therapies Service for Depression and Anxiety, working within either our South Somerset Team (Yeovil/Chard) or our Taunton Team.
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is a high-performing service with one of the best recovery rates in the country. We have excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care through the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. As part of our multi-professional workforce in primary care, you will support adults experiencing depression, anxiety and long-term health conditions, offering therapy both face-to-face and via video link. Flexible working opportunities are available.
Applicants who do not yet hold a Talking Therapies-compliant qualification in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Person Centre Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD) will be considered for a Band 6 recruit-to-train position, with full training provided.
Main duties, tasks & skills required
* Provide evidence-based psychological therapy in line with NHS Talking Therapies standards, including Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Person Centre Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD)
* Deliver individual and group-based interventions both in person and remotely.
* Undertake triage and assessments, contributing to stepped care pathways.
* Manage a caseload of up to 18 clinical contacts per week, ensuring timely treatment delivery.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues across primary care, community mental health and voluntary sector services.
* Maintain accurate and timely clinical records using the IAPTus system.
* Contribute to clinical governance, service audits, user feedback and evaluations.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
As a Psychological Therapist within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, you will:
* Accept referrals via agreed protocols, assessing suitability for therapy and allocating patients appropriately.
* Formulate, implement and evaluate structured therapy programmes, ensuring interventions are adapted to the needs of individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
* Support the development of best practice and participate in service improvement initiatives.
* Liaise with employment advisers and other professionals to integrate work and social factors into treatment plans.
* Attend regular clinical supervision and case management, maintaining professional development and meeting accrediting body requirements (BACP, UKCP, NCS, HCPC).
* Contribute to the training and supervision of other staff, where appropriate.
* Ensure compliance with confidentiality, safeguarding, risk management and equality & diversity policies across the Trust.
This role may involve working flexibly between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and occasional Saturdays. Travel within Somerset may be required.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
Accreditation with the BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS, HCPC or equivalent.
Practitioner qualification/accreditation in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant therapy modality: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) or Person-centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD).
Good record of Continuing Professional Development in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant counselling modality and willingness to continue this.
Desirable
Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfD
Qualification and experience as a supervisor in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality
Experience
Essential
Experience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomes.
Desirable
Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT) service.
Experience of line managing clinical or non-clinical staff.
Additional Criteria
Essential
Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance
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 Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
For help with your application, contact:
Rayn Smith
Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£ to £ Yearly
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-Time, Full-Time
Reference number
184-OL-GR-2940
Job locations
Bracken House
Crewkerne Road
Chard
Somerset
TA20 1YA
Parkgate House
East Reach
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 3ES