Job Description

Couple Therapy for Depression Post-Graduate NHS Talking Therapies Trainee will begin at Band 5 in Year 1 at a Foundation Level working with individuals. In Year 2 they will commence the Birkbeck Post-Graduate Diploma Level and begin working with Couples and continue to work with both Individuals and Couples in Year 3. This course is also accredited with UKCP.
Potential trainees should be assessed for the following attributes or the potential for developing them:

• Warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy
• Authenticity, self-awareness, maturity, and stability
• Ability to listen, be present and attentive
• Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress
• Capacity for reflexivity
• Ability to be vulnerable and make use of and reflect upon own life experience
• Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
• Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirements
• Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
• Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality and the nature of prejudice and oppression
• Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care

Candidates should also show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems (see NHSTT Manual for conditions covered by NHS TT) and an understanding of and commitment to evidence-based practice and the NHS TT stepped care model
Main duties of the job
New NHS funded three year NHS TT HIPC training programme in Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD) to run with Tavistock Relationships starting 29th September 2025.
To help improve access to adult NHS TT services for people experiencing common mental health problems, Health Education England (HEE) is piloting a new salaried training pathway that will provide trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellors with advanced conceptual understanding and skills in the practical application of psychotherapeutic counselling and a defined standard of competency in the NICE-recommended Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD).
This training aims to:
1. Develop high intensity psychotherapeutic counsellors with the qualities, skills and competences to develop, engage in and sustain strong therapeutic relationships and work effectively with NHSTT patients with depression, and their families where appropriate.
2. Develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competency in CTfD, in line with the needs of patients, families and carers.
3. Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national NHS Talking Therapies Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.
4. Promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.
Details
Date posted
07 August 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
31,049 to 46,580 a year Year 1 is paid at AfC B5, years 2 and 3 are paid at B6
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
3 years
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
152-M203.25
Job locations
NHS Talking Therapies Southampton, 3rd Floor Grenville House,
Nelson Gate
Southampton
SO15 1GX
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check. Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities/Aptitudes
Essential

• To be personally responsible for maintaining self-care to enable safe provision of treatment in a pressurised environment.
• Ability to maintain sustained and intense concentration in a pressurised, target driven environment.
• Capacity to work in situations demanding careful clinical judgement and to maximise the use of clinical supervision with planning and preparation of clinical caseload.

Desirable

• To work as part of a team and to develop personal, team targets and objectives.
• An ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• An ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of Patient care and service requirements.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Fully competent with data input and IT systems
• Experience in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental health and related psychopathology.
• Effective communication in written and spoken English

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an NHS Talking Therapy/Primary Care service or NHS setting and working across other healthcare services.
• Experience in providing short term, time limited therapy, including routine outcome monitoring.
• Experience and skills of providing psychological treatment for people presenting with depression and related mental health difficulties.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
• Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the stepped model of care
• Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate sensitivity to EDI principles.

Desirable

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
• Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Experience of working in partnership with other services

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to evidence based practice (as outlined in NICE guidance) and the stepped care model.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities/Aptitudes
Essential

• To be personally responsible for maintaining self-care to enable safe provision of treatment in a pressurised environment.
• Ability to maintain sustained and intense concentration in a pressurised, target driven environment.
• Capacity to work in situations demanding careful clinical judgement and to maximise the use of clinical supervision with planning and preparation of clinical caseload.

Desirable

• To work as part of a team and to develop personal, team targets and objectives.
• An ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• An ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of Patient care and service requirements.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Fully competent with data input and IT systems
• Experience in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental health and related psychopathology.
• Effective communication in written and spoken English

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an NHS Talking Therapy/Primary Care service or NHS setting and working across other healthcare services.
• Experience in providing short term, time limited therapy, including routine outcome monitoring.
• Experience and skills of providing psychological treatment for people presenting with depression and related mental health difficulties.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements
• Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the stepped model of care
• Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate sensitivity to EDI principles.

Desirable

• Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
• Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Experience of working in partnership with other services

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to evidence based practice (as outlined in NICE guidance) and the stepped care model.