Associate Therapist – Trust Therapies

The Associate Therapist will deliver short-term, evidence-based psychological therapies (typically 6–12 sessions) within Trust Therapies, using High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT approaches. The role involves working with clients presenting with complex and specialist psychological needs, within agreed clinical pathways and governance frameworks. The therapist will provide 1:1 therapy to adults presenting with:

• Complex trauma and emotional dysregulation
• Long-term physical health conditions and associated psychological distress
• Complex bereavement and grief
• Relational difficulties appropriate to High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT models

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver a safe, ethical, and high-quality psychological therapy service in line with Trust Therapies policies and procedures.
• Provide structured, evidence-based interventions using High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT, maintaining fidelity to the relevant therapeutic model.
• Work within a triage-informed, time-limited therapy framework aligned with service pathways.
• Identify, assess, and respond appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns in line with The Cellar Trust safeguarding policies.
• Maintain clear therapeutic boundaries and manage clinical risk appropriately.
• Work in an inclusive and non-judgemental manner, taking account of cultural, social, and contextual factors.
• Communicate effectively with internal colleagues, referrers, and external health and social care professionals.
• Attend monthly clinical supervision and any additional specialist supervision required for High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT practice.
• Contribute to service development, audit activity, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Accurately complete outcome measures (including DIALOG, ReQoL, GAD-7, and PHQ-9) and collect client feedback as required.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential electronic case records in line with Trust Therapies requirements.

Values and Behaviours

• Actively promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Demonstrate belief in people’s capacity for change and recovery.
• Show professionalism, integrity, and reliability in all aspects of practice.
• Work collaboratively and contribute positively to team functioning.
• Engage in reflective practice and demonstrate openness to learning and development.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Qualifications and Professional Registration

• High Intensity CBT: Postgraduate training in High Intensity CBT with BABCP accreditation (or accreditation pending within agreed timescales).
• EMDR: EMDR Europe or UK accredited practitioner (or accreditation pending).
• MBT: UKCP registered (or eligible) psychotherapist with completed or in-progress Anna Freud–recognised MBT Practitioner training, working within the MBT adherence framework and receiving appropriate MBT supervision.
• Current registration with an appropriate professional body.
• Demonstrable knowledge of evidence-based practice within High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT.
• Ongoing continuing professional development directly relevant to the therapist’s accredited modality.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding for both adults and children, including risk assessment and management.
• Clear understanding of confidentiality, ethics, and professional boundaries.

Please note: BACP membership or accreditation may be held alongside the above, but is not sufficient on its own for High Intensity CBT or MBT practice.

Experience

• Essential experience: Experience delivering High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT with adults presenting with moderate to complex mental health difficulties.
• Experience of working within a short-term, structured therapy model.
• Experience working with trauma, emotional dysregulation, and/or long-term health-related psychological distress.

Desirable experience:

• Experience working within NHS, third sector, or commissioned services.

Skills

• Ability to deliver therapy within agreed treatment protocols while responding flexibly to individual client need.
• Strong assessment, formulation, and clinical risk management skills.
• Effective communication skills with clients, colleagues, and external professionals.
• Ability to manage caseloads, clinical documentation, and outcome data effectively.
• Competence in using electronic record systems and digital platforms.

Values

• Commitment to professionalism, reliability, and ethical practice.
• Strong alignment with equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
• Belief in recovery-oriented and evidence-based practice.
• Commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement.

This post is specifically for therapists accredited in High Intensity CBT, EMDR, or MBT. Applications from counsellors or practitioners outside these modalities will not be considered. Recruitment will remain open on a rolling basis until all posts are filled. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment as required throughout the recruitment process.