At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist psychological assessments and implement evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions.
- Company: Join South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, a leader in mental health care.
- Benefits: Flexible working, career development, CPD opportunities, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Clinical/Counselling Psychology qualification or trainee status; experience with mental health is a plus.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on community involvement and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A Vacancy at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. We are excited to be recruiting a clinical/counselling psychologist in our North East Merton integrated recovery hub service. Merton adult mental health services are comprised of three multidisciplinary mental health teams. Psychologists are highly valued in the service and you will work closely alongside other Psychologists at the same level and at Principal and Consultant level. You will also work with Psychiatrists, CPNs, Recovery & Support Workers and Specialist Employment Advisors to provide high quality treatment and recovery options for service users with severe mental health conditions, including psychosis & bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, and severe mood & anxiety disorders.
This post is established at 8a level but we welcome applications from final year Clinical / Counselling Psychologists Trainee Clinical Psychologists, and from Psychologists with less than 18 months post qualification experience, who could progress from a Band 7 preceptorship to a Band 8a in this post. As a band 7 preceptorship you will have a dedicated CPD budget and encouraged to work half a day in a different service to widen your skills and experience.
The role focuses on providing evidence-based psychological therapies for severe and enduring mental health conditions, including psychosis & bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, and complex mood, anxiety disorders & PTSD. This post offers a number of opportunities for further training and development.
The Trust supports staff to attend Health Education England funded training in interventions such as CBT for psychosis & bipolar disorder, and Family interventions for psychosis & bipolar disorder. There may also be opportunities to train in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and to co-facilitate DBT Skills Groups and to be trained in EMDR therapy. The Trust also provides an additional programme of regular CPD covering a wide range of clinical topics. The role includes regular opportunities for individual and group supervision to support your development. At Band 8a, there will be the expectation you will supervise doctoral clinical psychology trainees, through strong links with the University of Surrey Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Training Scheme.
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'. This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti-racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do. We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
- To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients referred to the team based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care.
- To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a client's mental health needs, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the client's difficulties, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy, across the full range of care settings.
- To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups, within and across teams employed individually and in synthesis, adjusting and refining psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.
- To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients whose problems are managed by psychologically based standard care plans.
- To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients' formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
- To contribute directly and indirectly to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings and agencies serving the client group.
- To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management.
- To act as care coordinator, where appropriate, taking responsibility for initiating planning and review of care plans under enhanced CPA including clients, their carers, referring agents and others involved in the network of care.
- To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to monitor progress during the course of both uni- and multi-disciplinary care.
This advert closes on Wednesday 25 Feb 2026.
Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London employer: South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust
Contact Detail:
South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of evidence-based therapies relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you would apply these in practice, especially for conditions like psychosis and bipolar disorder. Show us you’re passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your continuous professional development (CPD) during interviews. Talk about any training or workshops you've attended that relate to psychological assessments or interventions. We love to see candidates who are committed to learning and growing!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. Let’s make life better together!
We think you need these skills to ace Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially in psychological assessments and evidence-based therapies.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for mental health and recovery services! Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as it can really make your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We want to understand your qualifications without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people and helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest evidence-based psychological therapies relevant to severe mental health conditions. Familiarise yourself with CBT, DBT, and EMDR, as well as any recent developments in the field. This will not only show your expertise but also your commitment to ongoing learning.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with multidisciplinary teams, be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with other professionals. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to team dynamics and patient care, highlighting your ability to communicate effectively and support your colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your clinical judgement and decision-making skills. Think about past cases where you had to evaluate treatment options or manage complex client needs, and be ready to articulate your thought process and outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity
The Trust values inclusivity and diversity, so be sure to express your understanding of these principles. Share experiences where you've worked with diverse populations or contributed to anti-racist initiatives, demonstrating your alignment with the Trust's mission of making life better together.