At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist psychological therapy and assessments for adults with complex mental health issues.
- Company: Join an outstanding NHS Trust dedicated to mental health care and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, part-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on trauma-informed care and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Doctoral/Masters level training in psychology or equivalent experience in psychological therapies.
The predicted salary is between 51657 - 58785 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for a Clinical / Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist to join our established psychological services team embedded within Cheshunt Adult Community Mental Health Service (ACMHS). This is for 8 months maternity cover.
Psychological services are well regarded within the ACMHS and play a vital function in delivering highly specialist psychological therapy to adults with severe and complex mental health difficulties in accordance with NICE guidelines. The team highly values consultation and psychological support provided to the wider multi-disciplinary team. HPFT is committed to trauma-informed care with service users' experience at the heart of what we do. There is an opportunity for further training and development of skills within the service.
Main Duties
- Undertaking psychological assessments of adults experiencing complex mental health difficulties.
- Delivering specialist psychological therapies for adults with complex mental health difficulties. The range of therapies we offer include but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), EMDR, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, family interventions and schema therapy.
- Providing specialist psychological consultation, formulation, support and training to the wider multi-disciplinary service.
- Providing supervision to junior members of the psychological services team, including Assistant Psychologists and trainee therapists.
- Working closely alongside MDT and psychological therapy colleagues to support the delivery of psychological services across Southeast Hertfordshire.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission. Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Qualifications and Training
- Doctoral/Masters level training in clinical/counselling psychology, including specific models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology, accredited by the BPS and current registration with HCPC. Or a registered qualification (e.g., in nursing, social work, occupational therapy) and further postgraduate qualification training in evidence-based psychological therapies, including CBT, and significant experience working as a psychological therapy practitioner, with BABCP registration and eligibility for BABCP accreditation.
- Professional qualification degree level, which should include knowledge and application of research methodology.
- Additional specialist knowledge or training in psychological therapies including CBT.
Previous Experience
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings, including at least six months clinical experience working in adult mental health.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups across the whole life span's presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
- Knowledge of whole life span development and the impact on emotional, psychological and mental wellbeing.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of at least one evidence-based psychological therapy (e.g., CBT, Interpersonal Therapy, CAT, systemic family psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy) relevant to the treatment of adults with complex problems and their families.
- Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working and inter-agency collaboration.
- Ability to provide consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Ability to take the appropriate action to address any issues or risks.
- Aware of Child and Adult Safeguarding Procedures.
- Aware of current NHS initiatives and developments.
- Knowledge of legislation and the national agenda in relation to Adult Mental Health.
- Knowledge and awareness of specific clinical practices and issues relating to clients with mental health problems.
- Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of service quality monitoring e.g., clinical audit, evaluative research, etc.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or offering supervision.
- Experience of service development/project management.
Communication Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Ability to work and communicate therapeutically with clients and their families consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
- Ability to work and communicate as a responsible participating member of a multi-disciplinary team and the ability to respect and value other members' contributions and to encourage participation of all involved.
- Ability to keep accurate and complete records of activities and communications consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
- Ability to alert line manager/team when direction, policies and strategies are adversely affecting users of services or the public.
- Ability to time manage effectively and to work under pressure and to prioritise a clinical workload.
Analytical Skills
- Positive problem solving approach.
- Ability to critically evaluate and review developments made by others to determine if and how they could be applied within own area of work.
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.
Job Details
- Closing date: 21 April 2026
- Salary: £51,657 to £58,785 a year pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS)
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 8 months
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: 367-ACMS-10198
- Location: Holly Lodge, 45 Church Lane, Cheshunt EN8 0DR
Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist in Cheshunt employer: Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is an outstanding employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and CBT Therapists. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and the chance to work within a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to delivering high-quality mental health services. Located in Cheshunt, the Trust fosters a culture of kindness, respect, and professionalism, ensuring that staff are valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve.
Contact Details:
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist in Cheshunt
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to clinical psychology roles. Think about how you can showcase your experience with complex cases and your knowledge of various therapies. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for trauma-informed care! During interviews, share examples of how you've prioritised service users' experiences in your previous roles. This will resonate well with employers who value a compassionate approach in mental health services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or CBT Therapist in Cheshunt
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your relevant experience in psychological assessments and therapies, especially those mentioned in the job description like CBT or DBT. We want to see how your skills align with what we do!
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your hands-on experience in mental health settings. Share specific examples of how you've worked with diverse client groups and tackled complex cases. This will help us understand your practical skills and approach.
Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Use clear, concise language and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors. We appreciate professionalism, so let’s see that shine through in your writing!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us quickly and securely. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the specific psychological therapies mentioned in the job description, like CBT and DBT. Be ready to discuss your experience with these therapies and how you've applied them in real-world settings.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and support your colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex cases. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed challenging situations and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Emphasise Continuous Learning
The job mentions opportunities for further training and development, so express your enthusiasm for ongoing professional growth. Share any recent courses or training you've completed and how they relate to the role you're applying for.