Job Description

We are delighted to be advertising for a Specialist Practitioner Psychologist/ Specialist Psychological Therapist (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy / Psychotherapeutic Counselling) to join our urgent care team, based in Saint Leonards-on-Sea. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed Specialist Practitioner Psychologist / Specialist Psychological Therapist to join our supportive and innovative Urgent care teams. You'll work alongside psychology colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team committed to providing exceptional care to those experiencing a mental health crisis.
You will work with people with a wide range of mental health problems, their families and carers. Many people come to urgent care with their first experience of mental health difficulties as a result of bereavement, addiction, physical illness, domestic violence, onset of dementia, debt or workplace bullying; so we wouldwelcome applicants with a range of experience, who may not have worked in an acute or urgent care environment before. We also see a range of people with complex mental health difficulties with histories of service use and work closely with community teams, acute wards and other specialist services in Sussex; soexperience in these areas would also be welcomed.
Main duties of the job
You will provide specialist crisis interventions for those referred into our service and help contribute to the multi-disciplinary team's thinking and care-planning, working closely with the team. Your primary role is to provide psychological assessment, formulation and short-term evidence-based therapeutic interventions for individualsand groups.Alongside this, youwill also provide consultation, training, and support: such as facilitation of reflective practice and case discussion. We work closely with OT, peer specialist and carer specialists which gives us particular flexibility and opportunity. We also have other psychological therapists,trainees and assistant psychologist(s).
We approach our work as trauma informed and currently offer interventions for individuals and groups, informed byCBT, DBT and compassion focussed therapy. We occasionally contribute toneuro testingand have specialist supervision for these disciplines; and can offer training where you have an interest but have not yet undertaken training
About us
Sussex Partnership Trust provides mental health and learning disability care for children, young people, and adults across Sussex. We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated good overall and outstanding for caring by the Care Quality Commission.
Urgent and acute care psychology:
You will be a part of the wider East Sussex Psychological Professions group providing the opportunity for continuing professional development, sharing of expertise and peer support. You will also be part of the Trust's Adult Acute Psychological network, which provides specialist guidance and support on governance and best practice, including specialty CPD days.
Working in East Sussex:
Working in East Sussex there is the opportunity to travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns- there's always new experiences to be enjoyed.
You will be based in Hastings seeing clients at the team base, in their own homes, as well as virtually via telephone or online appointments.
This part-time role offers the opportunity for flexible working.
If you would like to ask anything or have a chat about this opportunity, please do get in touch.
Details
Date posted
20 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
354-AE-21213
Job locations
CRHT, Woodlands Centre for Acute Care
729 The Ridge
St. Leonards-on-Sea
TN37 7PT
Job description
Job responsibilities
REQUIREMENTS
Successful applications will be required to have:
A degree in Psychology and Doctoral level training in Applied Psychology (or its equivalent for those who trained before 1996 or outside the UK)
Or, you will have accredited training in CBT
See attached and Person Specification for full details.
We are looking for a passionate and dedicated team member. We would welcome informal visits or a phone conversation about the service/post.
Please contact Dr Nadia Ahlenius, Counselling Psychologist, Urgent Care Team Hastings on 0300 304 0253 / email n.ahlenius@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
REQUIREMENTS
Successful applications will be required to have:
A degree in Psychology and Doctoral level training in Applied Psychology (or its equivalent for those who trained before 1996 or outside the UK)
Or, you will have accredited training in CBT
See attached and Person Specification for full details.
We are looking for a passionate and dedicated team member. We would welcome informal visits or a phone conversation about the service/post.
Please contact Dr Nadia Ahlenius, Counselling Psychologist, Urgent Care Team Hastings on 0300 304 0253 / email n.ahlenius@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• oPost-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK*] as approved by the HPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental Psychology.
• oOr recognised accredited post graduate level training in cognitive behavioural therapy accredited by the BABCP Accreditation with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• oProfessionally registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) or with the British Association of Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy.
• oOr A minimum two-year post-graduate (or equivalent) qualification in Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology, comprising no less than 450 hours programme contact and including no less than 200 hours supervised counselling practice. Accreditation with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) or registration with the Health Professionals Council (HCPC) as a practitioner psychologist

Desirable

• oPre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• oDemonstrable competence in the delivery of psychological therapy including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
• oKnowledge of guidance and legislation in relation to the client group
• oKnowledge of theory, practice and evidence base of specialist psychological therapy
• oExperience of the application of psychological therapy in different cultural contexts
• oEvidence of commitment to CPD

Skills
Essential

• oWell developed skills in communication (oral and written) of highly technical and clinical sensitive information to clients, carers, families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• oProven ability to establish, maintain and conclude therapeutic relationships
• oGood inter-professional skills and ability to work autonomously in a multi-disciplinary setting
• oCapacity to reflect and make good use of supervision
• oAbility to plan and manage a dynamic caseload of work

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• oPost-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK*] as approved by the HPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental Psychology.
• oOr recognised accredited post graduate level training in cognitive behavioural therapy accredited by the BABCP Accreditation with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• oProfessionally registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) or with the British Association of Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy.
• oOr A minimum two-year post-graduate (or equivalent) qualification in Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology, comprising no less than 450 hours programme contact and including no less than 200 hours supervised counselling practice. Accreditation with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) or registration with the Health Professionals Council (HCPC) as a practitioner psychologist

Desirable

• oPre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• oDemonstrable competence in the delivery of psychological therapy including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
• oKnowledge of guidance and legislation in relation to the client group
• oKnowledge of theory, practice and evidence base of specialist psychological therapy
• oExperience of the application of psychological therapy in different cultural contexts
• oEvidence of commitment to CPD

Skills
Essential

• oWell developed skills in communication (oral and written) of highly technical and clinical sensitive information to clients, carers, families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• oProven ability to establish, maintain and conclude therapeutic relationships
• oGood inter-professional skills and ability to work autonomously in a multi-disciplinary setting
• oCapacity to reflect and make good use of supervision
• oAbility to plan and manage a dynamic caseload of work

Skills Required