Consultant Psychiatrist in Medical Psychotherapy
We are seeking a compassionate, skilled and enthusiastic Consultant Psychiatrist in Medical Psychotherapy to join our Devon Complex Emotional Needs (CEN) Service. The service provides specialist psychotherapeutic interventions for people with complex personality difficulties and consultation to teams across Devon. Our work is grounded in evidence-based psychotherapy, reflective practice and strong clinical governance.
The CEN Service offers a range of specialist psychotherapeutic interventions including Group Analytic Psychotherapy (GAP), Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT), Family Therapy, and structured consultation to mental health teams across Devon. We work with individuals who often present with significant relational trauma, emotional dysregulation and longstanding difficulties that affect their capacity to live safely and meaningfully. Therapeutic work is delivered through carefully composed groups, structured preparatory sessions, and ongoing liaison with families and wider support systems.
The service supports teams across Devon through consultation, joint formulation, supervision and reflective practice, helping colleagues respond more effectively to complexity, reduce burnout and increase confidence in managing risk. Our approach is aligned with the Community Mental Health Framework and emphasises partnership working across secondary care, primary care and the voluntary sector.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide clinical leadership within the psychotherapy pathways delivering specialist assessment formulation and treatment and contributing to therapy and consultation work. You will work closely with senior psychotherapists and colleagues across the service to develop, refine and oversee high quality therapeutic programmes.
A key part of the role is the work with resident doctors through the psychotherapy training unit, contributing to teaching, supervision and the wider educational programme which has an excellent reputation within the peninsula training scheme.
This is a varied and rewarding role that requires strong reflective capacity, excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and systems. The post includes involvement in clinical governance service development and wider trust leadership initiatives.
Living and working in Exeter & Devon
Exeter is a compact friendly and historic city with easy access to Devon’s coastline, Dartmoor National Park and riverside walking and cycling routes offering excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. It has well-regarded secondary schools, a Russell Group university and a lively city centre with independent shops, cafés and modern retail areas. Transport links are strong with direct rail services, local train stations, reliable buses and access to the M5.
We welcome enquiries and would be pleased to arrange a visit to meet the team.
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 Trust’s 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
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Person Specification
Teaching and Supervision
* Experience of teaching undergraduates, postgraduates and staff from a range of disciplines.
* Clinical experience in practice and supervising across a range of evidence based psychological therapies.
* Evidence of additional teaching skills.
* Experience in Clinical and Educational Supervision and/or willingness to undertake training to be able to provide Clinical and Educational Supervision to Resident Drs.
Aptitudes and Values
* Evidence of ability to exercise leadership in a multi-disciplinary team.
* Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with other clinical teams.
* Ability to use reflective practice in day-to-day clinical work with a team working with highly complex patients and to support the team in their therapeutic work.
* Ability to work with non-clinical colleagues including people who use the service and carers in service development.
* A team player able to inspire and support staff at all levels of training and across professional disciplines.
* A commitment to continuing professional development.
* A commitment to multidisciplinary and multi-agency working.
* A commitment to respect, inclusiveness and diversity.
* Evidence of new ideas in service delivery.
* A track record of implementing service initiatives.
* A track record of team leadership or collaboration with other agencies.
Management
* Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and managers.
* Awareness of NHS management and funding arrangements.
* Management training / experience.
* Experience of involvement in service development.
* Experience of working in partnerships with people who use services, carers and supporters and with non-statutory and 3rd sector agencies.
Qualifications
* Full Registration with the General Medical Council.
* To hold Approved Clinician status at the point of taking up post.
* Essential: Full registration with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register or eligible for such inclusion within 6 months.
* Approved under section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983.
* Inclusion on the Specialist Register for psychotherapy or equivalent training and experience.
* Other professional psychotherapy qualification:
* Inclusion on the GMC specialist register of Medical Psychotherapists (Single CCT) or Medical Psychotherapy and another (dual) CCT such as General Adult, Forensic, or CAMHS.
* Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy or Group Analysis leading to BPC or UKCP accreditation; either completed, on‑going or clear evidence of commitment to training and evidence of ability to train in psychotherapy at the time of taking up this post.
* Experience of practicing and supervising a range of evidence-based psychotherapy models within the NHS.
Research
* Ability to interpret published research and to apply research findings to clinical practice.
* Experience in research methods and research in practice.
* Aptitude for and practical experience of research.
* Research experience and publication in peer‑review journals particularly on topics allied to Complex Emotional Needs and psychotherapy.
Experience
* Prior experience working in Psychiatry Community and Inpatient Mental Health Teams and Psychotherapy teams.
* Evidence of ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams.
* Evidence of experience working in services with patients with Complex Emotional Needs.
* Evidence of effective leadership.
* Experience of psychiatric practice in a range of settings, especially the community.
* Experience of audit and the applications of robust clinical governance.
* Clinical experience of working with people with Complex Emotional Needs in inpatient, day and outpatient settings.
* Proven commitment to improving the quality of clinical care.
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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