Eating Disorder Psychological Therapist

22.5 hours minimum up to 37.5 hours per week post!

An exciting recruitment opportunity has arisen within the Somerset Eating Disorder Service for a Psychological Therapist, Clinical or Counselling Psychologist. This is a permanent, full-time role , although part-time or flexible working arrangements will be considered. The base can be negotiated (Yeovil, Taunton or Bridgwater).

You will be a qualified and accredited CBT therapist or a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with a passion for supporting adults experiencing eating disorders, through comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and interventions. Previous experience of working with people experience eating disorders is desirable but not essential. Applications are welcome from Trainee Clinical Psychologists in their final year.

Excellent supervision and training opportunities exist within the team and the wider Trust. Indeed, with support from HEE, 2023 has seen an increased number of training opportunities available to the team.

Individuals are attending an 8-day Whole Team Eating Disorder Training, as well as further training in MANTRA, CBT-E and ARFID. Some colleagues are also being supported to gain further CBT qualifications and BABCP accreditation through postgraduate courses, and others are completing qualifying training as Non-Medical Prescribers (NMP).

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are a trailblazer Trust for the Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults, and received significant investment to transform all our community mental health services.

The Community Eating Disorders Service for Adults has expanded in line with this broader transformation, and the post-holder will be joining an enthusiastic multidisciplinary team that includes a psychiatrist, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, psychological therapists, clinical associate psychologists, assistant psychologist and support workers.

Working in partnership with the Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA), this multidisciplinary service is now also available to patients referred directly from primary care services. We have fully implemented the FREED approach, pioneered by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, to enable rapid access to effective treatment for young adults presenting with a first episode of an eating disorder.

This is an exciting time to be joining the Trust, and the Eating Disorders Team, as we work to enhance the availability of care to all adults experiencing eating disorders in Somerset.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone’s throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!

You will be a qualified and accredited CBT therapist or a qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with a passion for supporting adults experiencing eating disorders, through comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and interventions. Previous experience of working with eating disorder diagnoses is desirable but not essential as excellent supervision and training opportunities exist within the team and the wider trust.

Please see attached JD for person specification and full details.