Job overview

We have exciting opportunities to join NHS West Sussex Talking Therapies as an Accredited Counsellor, within our South Team in Worthing  and our Health Team in Horsham.

You will provide Step 3 short-term counselling interventions through Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) or Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD) within the service.

The Counsellor role is offered at NHS Band 7 for those registered and accredited with the relevant professional body and holding IAPT-compliant modality training.

If not yet IAPT-compliant modality training, this can be offered as an IAPT Development Counsellor role (NHS Band 6).  You will work within the service whilst being sponsored to undertake training in an IAPT approved modality within a year of joining.

You will be fully supported by our management and clinical leads and surrounded by a friendly, highly competent supportive workforce.   We have taken time to create a model and culture in our service which ensures that you are happy in your work.

As one of the country’s leading IAPT services, we lead the way in the provision of NICE recommended psychological therapies, are focused on clinical excellence, innovation.

• Excellent CPD and career development opportunities
• Regular support, supervision and training
• Opportunity to engage in a number of interesting and social activities led by a Wellbeing lead in each locality

Main duties of the job

Applicants must be either BACP Accredited, or UKCP Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, ACC Accredited, NCS Accredited Professional Registrant, or British Psychoanalytic Council Registered. Applicants must also have appropriate qualifications as detailed in the person specification.

Applicants holding an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification, such as IPT, DIT, PCE-CfD or CTfD are appointed at Agenda for Change Band 7. Applicants who do not hold an additional NHS Talking Therapies qualification will be recruited at Band 6 and must be willing to undertake training and achieve certification in an NHS Talking Therapies approved module within 12 months. Once achieved, you will move up to Band 7 (please note that this training is funded by the service).

You will also need to demonstrate extensive experience of treating patients within a time limited counselling model, as well as experience of providing triage assessments.

Working for our organisation

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?
•    Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
•    Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
•    Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
•    Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
•    Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
•    Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
•    Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
•    Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.