Associate Counsellor in Newtownabbey

Location: Nexus NI HQ in Belfast and various community venues across Northern Ireland

Hours: Sessional

Reports to: Clinical Coordinator

We are particularly interested in applications from the North West of Northern Ireland.

Remuneration and Professional Benefits: £33 per attended session. In addition, Associate Counsellors benefit from:

• Contribution towards the cost of regular clinical supervision in line with organisational requirements.
• Regular clinical and managerial support.
• Access to specialist training and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Experience working within one of Northern Ireland's leading specialist trauma services.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in supporting individuals who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships.
• Flexible delivery across face-to-face, virtual and telephone-based services.
• Opportunities to contribute to service development and innovation.
• The opportunity to be part of an organisation committed to clinical excellence, trauma-informed practice and survivor-centred support.
• Meaningful work that supports individuals to recover, heal and thrive following experiences of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships.

Background: Nexus has over 40 years' experience enabling positive change for people who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships across Northern Ireland. We support and empower individuals to recover and thrive through the provision of specialist counselling services, group recovery and peer support programmes. Since 2019, Nexus has managed the 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Helpline, funded by the Department of Health, Department of Justice and Department for Communities. We challenge attitudes, beliefs and behaviours to enhance society's understanding of sexual abuse and abusive relationships through the delivery of psycho-education workshops, accredited training programmes and self-help resources. We use lived experience, professional expertise and research to influence policy, practice and service commissioning. Our services are informed by the voices and experiences of those with lived experience, ensuring the support we provide is compassionate, accessible and responsive to individual needs. Through our work, we seek to create a society that is more informed, compassionate and confident in challenging sexual abuse and abusive relationships. Our people are central to our success. We are proud to have a dedicated and professional workforce committed to delivering specialist, high-quality and sustainable services that change lives.

Job Description: As an Associate Counsellor with Nexus NI, you will join one of Northern Ireland's leading specialist organisations supporting individuals who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships. With over 40 years' experience, Nexus delivers high-quality, trauma-informed therapeutic services that support individuals to recover, rebuild confidence and improve their emotional and psychological wellbeing. This role offers the opportunity to support individuals who have experienced the impact of trauma and adversity within a supportive, experienced and clinically focused environment. Associate Counsellors play a vital role in delivering specialist therapeutic interventions across Northern Ireland through face-to-face, virtual and telephone-based services. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to the delivery of safe, ethical and evidence-informed services that place the needs, choices and wellbeing of victims and survivors at the centre of care. Nexus is committed to supporting the professional development of its practitioners through regular clinical supervision, line management support, ongoing training and continuing professional development opportunities. This role provides an opportunity to further develop specialist expertise in trauma-informed practice while contributing to an organisation recognised for its commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and survivor-centred support. The overarching aim of the role is to increase each individual's emotional and psychological wellbeing through the provision of therapeutic support tailored to their unique needs, strengths and recovery journey. Nexus is committed to creating a psychologically safe and supportive working environment where practitioners are encouraged to engage in reflective practice, professional development and self-care. We recognise the impact that trauma work can have on practitioners and are committed to providing the support required to sustain safe, effective and compassionate practice.

Why Join Nexus?

• Join one of Northern Ireland's leading specialist trauma services.
• Work within a highly experienced, supportive and values-driven clinical team.
• Access regular clinical supervision and professional support.
• Participate in ongoing training and CPD opportunities.
• Develop specialist knowledge and skills in trauma-informed therapeutic practice.
• Deliver meaningful work that supports victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships to recover and thrive.
• Benefit from flexible sessional working arrangements across a range of service locations and delivery methods.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing therapeutic interventions through a range of mediums including face-to-face, virtual and telephone delivery.
• Deliver trauma-informed therapeutic interventions that support individuals' psychological and emotional wellbeing.
• Safely deliver therapeutic interventions in line with organisational, regulatory and legal frameworks, including safeguarding, risk assessment and management, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Provide standalone support calls to individuals referring to and accessing Nexus therapeutic services.
• Participate in the development, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic interventions and services.
• Signpost individuals to relevant statutory, community and private sector services to support their ongoing recovery.
• Attend relevant CPD opportunities in line with organisational and professional requirements.
• Actively engage with clinical supervision in line with organisational and regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain accurate and professional records of all therapeutic interventions delivered in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and data protection legislation.
• Attend and positively engage with line management supervision and organisational performance review processes.
• Support the development of future practitioners through mentorship of counselling students undertaking clinical placements with Nexus.
• Work in line with organisational opening hours, including evenings.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and postholders may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum one year's supervised clinical practice (250 hours) across a range of settings including face-to-face, virtual and telephone delivery.
• Knowledge of the impact of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships on individuals, families and communities.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, trauma-informed therapeutic practice that recognises the impact of trauma, promotes safety, choice, collaboration, empowerment and respect.
• Experience supporting individuals presenting with mental health, emotional, social and lifestyle issues associated with traumatic experiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrable ability to recognise and appropriately manage safeguarding and risk concerns.
• Awareness of the importance of self-care and professional resilience.
• Accreditation with BACP, NCS or IACP, or actively working towards accreditation with submission expected within six months of appointment.
• Proficient IT skills and ability to use electronic case management systems.
• Working knowledge of CORE Net or equivalent outcome monitoring systems.
• Access to a form of transport to facilitate regional service delivery.
• Flexibility to work evenings and across different locations as required.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within the community and voluntary sector.
• Experience working alongside interpreters to support therapeutic engagement.
• Experience supporting individuals affected by sexual trauma, domestic abuse or other forms of interpersonal trauma.

Terms and Conditions:

Attendance at a formal induction programme is required. As part of induction, successful applicants will be required to complete a range of mandatory training designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and skills required to safely and effectively support victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships. This training will include areas such as safeguarding, risk assessment and management, confidentiality, data protection, trauma-informed practice and organisational procedures. Ongoing participation in mandatory training, supervision and continuing professional development activities is expected. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced Access NI check. The successful applicant must demonstrate a commitment to Nexus values, trauma-informed practice and survivor-centred service delivery.

Application requirements:

The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Access NI check. The Access NI Code of Practice is available to applicants on request. Having a criminal record does not automatically prevent a person being employed by Nexus NI. If you are unsure what this is, please consult this website: As per Access NI Code of Practice Nexus NI has a policy on the recruitment of Ex-offenders which is available on request by sending an email to: All information disclosed will be handled in accordance with the Nexus NI policy on Keeping Information Safe which is available on request by sending an email to: A full, clean driving licence is required for this role, as the post involves regular travel between locations in the course of normal duties. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can meet the mobility requirements of the post. This may be through access to a driving licence and use of a vehicle, or by other suitable means, such as public transport or alternative travel arrangements. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. In line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended in Northern Ireland) and Equality Commission for Northern Ireland guidance, we will consider reasonable adjustments to the selection process and/or working arrangements where a disability affects an applicant's ability to hold a driving licence, provided that the essential requirements of the role can be fulfilled.

This job description is not incorporated into the employee's contract of employment. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification. It may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussion with the post holder.

To Apply: Please note CV's alone are not accepted. Please visit our website and download the supplementary questions for this role and submit this form along with your CV. Information on how to apply is on our website. Deadlines for applications is Friday 17th July 2026 at 12pm.