Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Psychotherapist - Bristol

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Psychological Therapist who is passionate about clinical work and about developing and improving high quality mental health services in Bristol.

We are looking for someone interested in working with people inhigh levels of distress at a time of crisis.

We are in an exciting period of transformation. This includes building stronger links with inpatient services, as well as supporting the use of the Comprehend, Cope and Connect model across the system, via the training and supervision of multidisciplinary staff in this model.

We would like someone willing to lead a small team of Psychological Practitioners working into the Crisis teams across the city. This role will involve working within the North Bristol Crisis Service for two days a week. The third day will be dedicated to leadership tasks related to the role. The successful applicant will work alongside the other leadership staff in the Crisis Service to implement exciting service changes, ensuring Psychologically-Informed Practice. You will be delivering specialist psychological assessment, therapy, and consultation, and will be supporting staff in delivering psychological interventions under supervision.

Main duties of the job

o To provide highly specialist psychological assessment and therapy to service users and carers using the North Bristol Crisis Service.

o To provide highly specialist advice and consultation on clients' formulation and psychological management to other non-psychologist colleagues.

o To use highly specialist psychological knowledge and skills to contribute to the more effective management of patients by the North Bristol Crisis Team and across Bristol Crisis Services.

o To take on a Lead role for CPI Crisis provision in the Complex Psychological Interventions Service (CPI), including Service Development.

o To hold management Supervision for other Psychological Practitioners working in the Crisis Service.

o To clinically supervise trainees and less experienced psychological therapy staff, and other professionals.

o To contribute to audit, research, policy and service development within the areas served by the Complex Psychological Interventions Service.

o To develop and deliver training in psychological therapies for multidisciplinary staff.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata (Pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-BR029-0226

Job locations

Gloucester House

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB