Senior CBT Therapist

Description

Job Purpose

Provide clinical leadership and oversight for Step 3 High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) provision within the Talking Therapies service at NHS Bexley Talking Therapies.

Ensure safe, effective, and recovery-focused delivery of NICE-recommended CBT interventions.

Support the development, supervision, and performance of High Intensity CBT Therapists and Trainees.

Contribute to service quality improvement, data quality and the ongoing development of evidence-based practice.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist and routine CBT in line with NICE guidance for adults with depression and anxiety disorders.

• Maintain an active clinical caseload while modelling best practice in sessional adherence, risk management, and outcome measurement using established measures as required by the national Talking Therapies framework.

• Conduct comprehensive assessments, formulations, and treatment plans.

• Provide clinical oversight on complex cases, including co-morbidity and risk-related presentations.

• Provide one to one and group supervision to Talking Therapies Team.

• Provide ad-hoc supervision and perform the role of a risk escalation and safeguarding as part of the duty supervision rota.

• Ensure high standards of clinical documentation and adherence to Talking Therapies data standards.

• Provide specialist Long Term Conditions supervision to clinicians within the service.

• Support in the allocation of clients and management of waiting lists for Step 3 modalities.

Leadership & Service Development

• Provide clinical leadership for Step 3 therapy pathways.

• Provide line management for other members of Talking Therapies Team.

• Participate in service-wide meetings, audits, and performance reviews.

• Contribute to equitable access, workforce planning, and pathway efficiency.

• Contribute to recruitment and induction for the Talking Therapies Team.

• Attend meetings with other physical and mental health teams in regards to areas of shared interest and to maintain development of joint pathways.

• Support clinical lead and deputy clinical lead in the management of complaints from clients.

• Manage queries from clients in therapy or on waiting lists.

Clinical Supervision & Training

• Deliver regular case supervision, skills supervision, and reflective practice for qualified and trainee High Intensity Therapists.

• Support trainee progression, marking of CTS-R, and competency-based development.

• Provide consultation across the service to colleagues on CBT-informed care.

Quality & Performance

• Monitor clinical outcomes, recovery rates, and therapist performance using ROMs (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, disorder-specific tools).

• Support therapists to meet activity, recovery, and throughput targets while maintaining clinical quality.

• Undertake clinical audits, contribute to national audits, and produce reports for management as required.

• Ensure adherence to national Talking Therapies manual, governance, and fidelity standards.

Risk Management & Safeguarding

• Provide senior-level input on risk assessments and crisis planning.

• Liaise with GPs, secondary care, safeguarding teams, and other agencies as required.

• Support safe and effective discharge planning.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential:

Postgraduate Diploma in CBT accredited by BABCP.

Full BABCP accreditation (or eligible to apply).

Evidence of CPD consistent with maintaining BABCP accreditation.

Completion of a supervision course for CBT in line with NHS Talking Therapies supervision.

Desirable:

Qualification in other high intensity modalities (e.g., IPT, EMDR DIT etc.)

Experience of working as a psychological wellbeing practitioner or counsellor.

Further training in adapted CBT for long term health conditions.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

Post-qualification experience delivering CBT for a range of anxiety disorders and depression. Experience supervising or supporting CBT trainees or qualified therapists. Strong understanding of the Talking Therapies model, including Stepped care, performance and outcome frameworks. Experience of working with risk and safeguarding. Desirable:

Experience delivering service development projects. Experience working with complex cases or special interest groups (e.g., LTC pathways, cases where safeguarding concerns are present, perinatal, older adults, diversity-focused interventions). Experience of the completion of clinic audits. Skills & Competencies

Advanced CBT skills and ability to manage complex clinical presentations. Skilled in delivering both individual and group CBT. Ability to provide high-quality supervision and feedback. Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills. Ability to analyse data, interpret outcomes, and use these to improve service delivery. Competent IT and data-entry skills aligned with Talking Therapies digital systems, (IAPTUS). Personal Attributes

Compassionate, reflective, and committed to evidence-based practice. Able to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Flexible, resilient, and adaptable to service needs. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice. Additional Requirements

Enhanced DBS clearance. Willingness to work flexible hours to meet service needs (e.g., early evening clinics). Available to work from our base in Bexleyheath, three days per week. Commitment to ongoing CPD and supervision requirements. Interviews will take place week commencing 2nd November 2026.

Ad ID: 5419049326