HIGH INTENSITY COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) THERAPIST
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Negotiable |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Sunderland, SR1 1QN |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 25 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 18 Oct 2026 |
Summary
COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIPS Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information e.g. personal, familial, medical or attachment issues. This would include the ability to foster engagement and overcome barriers where there may be a highly emotive, hostile or antagonistic atmosphere. Ability to communicate highly complex condition related information to service users/clients, families and carers or with other agencies. Ability to liaise with and provide consultation to professionals working in universal, targeted or specialist services. Ability to develop and foster good working relationships and effective communication with: Members of SCS team Members of the PCN teams Individuals who use the service Other professional teams within the PCN Other agencies involved in client care e.g. voluntary agencies. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE A recorded and registered qualification in a minimum of one or more of the recognised Talking Therapies (TT) Modalities including High Intensity CBT. An understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and how these may present in primary care. An awareness of the competencies and meta competencies required to deliver a recognised TT modality. Demonstrates an understanding of a TT modality and how this may be used in clinical practice. An understanding of and ability to effectively use clinical measures within therapy. Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services. Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally, including completion of safeguarding training. Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post. Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of the impact of long-term conditions and their impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on mental health. Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems. Demonstrates a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation. ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS Ability to provide a detailed assessment based upon the appropriate use, understanding and combination of clinical information available, including self-reporting information, self-rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations as well as interviews with patients, their family members and other agencies involved in their care within a complex nature. Ability to undertake a thorough risk assessment based on the information available for individual patients, develop a risk contingency plan and manage or refer to the appropriate treatment stream/service as appropriate. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PATIENT/CLIENT CARE Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service. Assess clients for suitability for an appropriate talking therapy, such as CBT or PCE-CfD, etc. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a clients mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy. Carry out risk and safeguarding assessments/formulations in clinical practice and follow the agreed service protocols to manage risk effectively. To work with clients who are at current risk of suicide or self-harm where appropriate. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment where appropriate, conveying formulations where appropriate with sensitivity and in easily understood language. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient. Attend meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service. e.g. ensure full MDS collected for sessions, record provisional working diagnosis and utilise ADSMs in line with service requirements and best clinical practice. Maintain accurate clinical records in line with service and SCS policies and procedures. Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-down and step-across arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process. Carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback. Work clinically with interpreters. Work into a number of locations as required by the service. This will be flexible and may change as and when required by the service, assist clients, patients and carers in accessing the most appropriate pathways through the mental health system. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with GP Practices and the PCN(s). Be an active member of the team, joining groups and attending meetings as required. Provide consultancy to primary care colleagues and colleagues within the service as required. Work collaboratively with PCN colleagues and partnership agencies where appropriate to provide a seamless service for clients. POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice in accordance with employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence). Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times. Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in talking therapies. Ensure that clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with clinical supervisors and team managers on a regular basis as part of the probationary and ongoing line management processes. Attend clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with clinical supervisor and team leader. Actively participate in individual appraisal process and work on agreed objectives and development plans. Keep up to date records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure personal development plans reflect up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives. Provide written reports as required. Contribute to the service research projects as appropriate. FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES Safe use of shared equipment. Ensure the preservation of SCS and any relevant NHS property and resources. MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION Engage in effective line management with an SCS Services Manager. Be accountable to the SCS Clinical Management team for clinical practice and clinical supervision. Actively participate in clinical supervision arrangements to meet the required standards of ongoing registration / accreditation status. Providing supervision of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other professional groups as appropriate. FREEDOM TO ACT Work independently whilst being guided by the appropriate evidence base, seeking supervision and support whenever required. PHYSICAL EFFORT Combination of sitting, standing and walking. MENTAL EFFORT Provide intense concentration for interaction with service users/clients and families as required. Undertake intensive personal analysis. EMOTIONAL EFFORT Frequently support clients with complex mental health, underlying physical health concerns, developmental issues, family breakdown, enduring and serious mental illness, sexual abuse, self-harming, suicidal ideation.