Counsellor, Mental Health, Healthcare

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 12 February 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and self-motivated individual to work for Talking Therapies Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Service. The Talking Therapies service have dedicated teams of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Counsellors who offer a range of support to help people make positive changes to reduce stress and anxiety and improve their wellbeing.

An opportunity exists for one qualified Counsellor who is passionate about providing meaningful and effective therapeutic experiences to address common mental health problems.
Applicants who have not completed their training as a Counsellor will not be considered.

Talking Therapies Counsellors offer accessible assessment and treatment for mild to moderate mental health problems, giving service users a greater degree of choice and flexibility by providing 1:1 brief time limited counselling within primary care. This service is provided across a number of primary care and other community venues in the locality. There is also the opportunity to provide Telephone and remote clinical sessions as part of the role.

You will have a proven track record of delivering high quality service outcomes against robust performance measures and have excellent interpersonal qualities; time management skills; an ability to work autonomously; and an enthusiasm for working in an ever-developing Talking Therapies environment. Talking Therapies is an innovative and forward thinking service. We provide rapid accessible mental health screening, assessment and treatment whilst enabling people accessing the service to have a collaborative role in the choice of intervention they receive.

The services are underpinned by a philosophy of mental health promotion, health recovery, choice, empowerment and personal responsibility. The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance. This post may close early due to high numbers of applications so you are advised to apply promptly.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

For further information about the role, please see the attached recruitment pack which includes a detailed job description and person specification, or visit our website via Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT.

• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited Diploma (or evidence of BACP certificate of proficiency if course was not BACP accredited)
• Hold Registered status with BACP
• Evidence of working towards British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accreditation (to be achieved within 12 months of taking up the post).

• Knowledge of NHS structures and policy within a Primary Care context
• Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this

• Experience of psychological work with common mental health issue
• Experience of short term time-limited work
• Experience of promoting wellbeing and social inclusion
• Evidence of regular supervised practice

• Highly developed interpersonal skills and communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to sustain intense levels of concentration, responding and participating as required.
• Evidence of ability to organise own workload

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.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust