Job Description

We welcome eligible applications to an innovative NHS fully funded three year training programme leading to dual qualifications as Accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Accredited Brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) practitioner. Applicants will be graduates (or able to demonstrate professional and academic equivalence) with a commitment to the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (TTaD) model. The programme starts late September 2025 and is a joint recruitment between Hillingdon Talking Therapies, provided by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, as the participating site service and the University of Roehampton and Anna Freud Centre providing the national curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling (DIT pathway).



Attendance is required both at the site and university on prescribed days through training.



The NHS TTad Psychotherapeutic Counselling national curriculum delivers a Foundation level training with eligibility to apply to continue to Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma training in Psychotherapeutic Counselling leading to qualification to practise as a High Intensity Therapist in NHS TTad services delivering NICE-recommended evidence based psychological therapy for adults with depression. Pay in Yr1 Foundation level training is Agenda for Change (AfC) band 5, and Yrs 2 and 3 Diploma level is AfC band 6 with outer London weighting reflected in the pay bands advertised.

This training aims to:

Develop high intensity psychotherapeutic counsellors with the qualities, skills and competences to develop, engage in and sustain strong therapeutic relationships and work effectively with Talking Therapies service users with depression, and their families where appropriate.



Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.



Promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.

Training Requirements:

A one-year core psychotherapeutic counselling Foundation level training, which also introduces the psychodynamic theory. Following sign off for readiness, enables practice in the service with people with mild to moderate depression



A two-year Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in psychotherapeutic counselling (minimum 120 credits at Level 7)



Embedded training in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy aligning to the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (TTad) national curriculum.



A minimum of 450 supervised client hours gained within an NHS Talking Therapies service



A minimum of 450 training hours (skills and theory)



A minimum of 50 personal therapy hours (self funded)



Individual registration in line with the TTad Manual (see the Manual for more details).



Hillingdon Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression is provided through Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. We are a high performing, friendly and clinically focussed team. Our primary hub is in central Uxbridge, with good public transport links.



You will join a team of CBT therapists, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and counsellors. Supervision is provided by qualified accredited and experienced supervisors and trainees are well supported with additional dedicated input.



Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent. Candidates without a degree at 2:2 or above may be able to secure a place by demonstrating competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.



Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and introductory courses are not acceptable.



Proficiency in reading, writing and spoken English of a standard necessary to support academic study and professional practice at Level 7 IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.



As part of your application please include a personal statement (up to 1,000 words) reflecting on your motivation for choosing this career pathway and your readiness to engage in this emotionally demanding and transformative training (e.g. capacity to cope with the emotional demands of training, ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement, ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress, ability to be vulnerable and make use and reflect upon own life experience).