Description
The Psychological Therapist (IPT) role is a permanent full-time position with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's NHS Talking Therapies service in Bridgwater, Somerset. The post pays £49,387 to £56,515 a year at Band 7 under Agenda for Change. The closing date is 3 November 2026. The successful therapist delivers structured Interpersonal Therapy to adults through individual and group work in a primary-care setting.
Face-to-face and video sessions form part of the service. The post includes assessment, formulation, time-limited treatment planning, referral management and stepped-care decisions. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust also expects the therapist to work with GPs, community services and voluntary-sector partners. Current UK professional registration, recognised therapy training and relevant NHS Talking Therapies or IAPT experience are required.
Role: Psychological Therapist (IPT)
Employer: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Somerset Talking Therapies
Location: Glanville House, Church Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AT
Employment: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Closing date: 3 November 2026
Interpersonal Therapy Within NHS Talking Therapies
Interpersonal Therapy is a structured psychological treatment that connects emotional distress with a person's relationships and life changes. The therapist assesses the referral, agrees a treatment focus and works through a time-limited plan. Individual and group sessions require clear boundaries, reliable clinical records and regular review of progress.
The caseload also includes stepped-care decisions. The clinician identifies the level of support required, works with partner services when needs change and keeps referrals moving through the service. Clinical governance, audits, service evaluation and performance targets form part of the post's operational work.
- Assessment and formulation of referrals
- Time-limited individual and group IPT
- Caseload and referral management
- Stepped-care decisions and outcome monitoring
- Clinical records, audits and service evaluation
Registration And IPT Training
Current UK professional registration is required. Recognised professional routes include BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS and HCPC registration or an equivalent qualification accepted for the role. A counselling diploma or higher award, or recognised training in a major psychological therapy, forms part of the qualification profile.
An IPT practitioner qualification or accreditation is requested, although qualified psychotherapists accredited with BACP or UKCP can apply while willing to undertake IPT training. A successful candidate remains at Band 6 until the training and qualification are complete. Continuing professional development and current therapy practice support the clinical requirements.
BACP therapist guidance identifies professional training, body membership and supervision as core parts of safe counselling practice.
Clinical Work Across Bridgwater Services
The role works with GPs, community services and voluntary-sector partners around the needs of adults receiving NHS Talking Therapies. Face-to-face work takes place in a primary-care setting, while video therapy extends the available format. Group sessions add shared therapeutic work to the individual caseload.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's wider service network includes community hospitals, community diagnostic centres, urgent treatment centres and acute hospitals. The post's travel requirement connects the Bridgwater base with work across the organisation. The role therefore combines local clinical sessions with contact across partner services.
Therapists commonly work with individuals, couples, families or groups in person, by telephone or online. UK counsellor guidance describes session planning, active listening, confidential records and supervised practical training as established parts of the profession.
Supervision, Records And Professional Practice
Ongoing supervision supports the clinical decisions made within a psychological therapy service. The therapist maintains current practice, reviews work with a qualified supervisor and uses continuing professional development to keep skills current. Professional bodies expect counselling and psychotherapy practice to remain competent, ethical and safe.
Confidential records, audit information and outcome measures support clinical governance. The post also contributes to service development, performance targets and evaluation. These duties require accurate documentation alongside direct therapeutic work.
NHS Employment And Career Development
The permanent NHS contract includes an NHS pension, annual leave, flexible working options, career development and Blue Light Card discounts. The role uses the Agenda for Change framework and sits within a service that combines community and mental health care.
The appointment includes a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Professional development continues through supervision, current therapy practice, service evaluation and the IPT training route where that qualification remains outstanding.
Applicants with the required professional registration can present their therapy qualification, IPT accreditation or training plan, NHS Talking Therapies experience and evidence of current clinical practice. The role's training route gives qualified BACP or UKCP psychotherapists a defined path into IPT practice where the remaining qualification requirements are met.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Psychological Therapist (IPT) in Bridgwater employer: AYP Counselling & DB Consulting
Harley Therapy is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive environment for qualified Adult Psychotherapists in Cardiff. With a focus on professional growth, practitioners benefit from a robust platform that manages administrative tasks, allowing them to concentrate on delivering high-quality therapy. The culture promotes independence while fostering community connections, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding work in mental health.
Contact Details:
AYP Counselling & DB Consulting Recruitment Team
