Band 8a Specialist Clinical​/Counselling Psychologist

Overview

We are seeking a passionate and committed clinical or counselling psychologist to join our Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) in Hammersmith & Fulham. MINT is a multidisciplinary service providing holistic support and treatment to adults presenting with a range of mental health difficulties within a stepped-care framework. We are looking for an experienced psychologist with an interest in working with clients with complex mental health needs and difficulties related to emotional dysregulation and a diagnosis of borderline/emotionally unstable personality disorder.

A significant part of this post involves embedding trauma-informed principles within the MDT, and the candidate should thrive in a team environment with enthusiasm for consultation and leadership. This post also involves supporting the running of the DBT treatment programme in collaboration with the DBT Lead. The service delivers a comprehensive DBT programme, including individual therapy, skills training groups, weekly consultation team meetings, and phone coaching.

The post holder will deliver therapy to clients who self-harm or have suicidal behaviours and will join a supportive psychology team and DBT consult team.

• Provide highly specialist assessments and treatment for individuals with complex mental health conditions who have experienced trauma and struggle with emotional regulation, including 1-1 and group work.
• Offer psychological consultation and guidance to the entire MDT; provide supervision and training for Band 7 psychologists, trainees and assistant psychologists.
• Promote psychological and trauma-informed ways of working within the MDT and develop leadership skills.
• Contribute to the provision of a specialist DBT service for clients with Borderline/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder; maintain an interest in DBT and helping clients regulate emotions.
• Work collaboratively with service users and colleagues to create a psychologically safe environment that supports effective treatment delivery.
• Engage with clients from varied cultural backgrounds, including those seeking asylum, and use interpreters as needed; promote equality of access to services and understanding of migration-related psychological needs.

Experience

• Significant experience as a qualified (specialist) psychologist in a relevant clinical setting.
• Experience with Borderline/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (BPD/EUPD) and complex trauma.
• Experience delivering comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
• Experience facilitating psychological therapy groups.
• Experience applying clinical psychology across different cultural contexts.
• Experience teaching, training and/or supervision.

Desirable

• Experience with administration, scoring and interpretation of psychometric, neuropsychological tests.

Knowledge

• Advanced specialist knowledge of psychology applied to complex mental health presentations.
• Specialist knowledge relevant to Borderline/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and DBT.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for the work setting.

Skills

• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive information and manage difficult interpersonal dynamics.
• Ability to make judgments on highly complex clinical information and engage in MDT consultation.
• Ability to plan and manage a service user caseload and treatment programmes, including research activity.
• Ability to function in emotionally distressing circumstances with service users who may have histories of self-harm, violence or trauma.

Other Requirements

• Knowledge of the professional code of conduct of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Ability to be guided by policies, procedures and codes of conduct; reflect on professional practice and participate in CPD in line with BPS guidelines.
• Ability to identify and employ clinical governance mechanisms to support practice in challenging situations.
• Ability to teach and train others using diverse multimedia materials for public, professional and academic settings.

Desirable

• Record of publications in peer-reviewed or professional journals and/or books.