Senior Therapist Art, Drama or Music Psychotherapist – St Magnus Hospital

We are seeking an experienced and motivated registered Art, Drama or Music Psychotherapist who has post-qualification experience of delivering Arts Therapies within inpatient mental health settings, particularly forensic or locked ward services. Some understanding of working with older adults with dementia or patient groups with physical health and mobility issues would be welcomed.

This post is within an expanding Psychological Therapies provision which aims to meet the diverse psychological needs of our patients within a dynamic, creative, evidence based, trauma informed and patient-centered approach. The Psychological Therapies team comprises of professionals from Arts Therapies (Dramatherapy) and Psychology across two hospital sites. Therapy is delivered within the Psychological Therapies team referral pathway via the MDT in a broader CPA model of care.

The post holder will manage a caseload, providing assessments to determine patients’ suitability for therapy based on interpretation and integration of complex clinical information from a variety of sources, assessment tools, clinical sessions and observations to develop a basic formulation. Therapy is then delivered on either an individual or group basis over an appropriate time period with regular reviews and clear rationale for the therapy within a psychodynamic approach. The post holder will also need to advise and consult on appropriate referrals, considering treatment options within the overall recovery aims of the patient and the requirements of all involved.

The post holder will provide robust clinical practice in a highly emotive, unpredictable and challenging environment and be able to maintain empathy, reassurance and appropriate boundaries with patients who may have barriers to understanding and communication and may present with behaviours that challenge. An understanding of safeguarding and risk assessment processes is important and the ability to sustain psychological containment and a therapeutic alliance within long-term referrals. The post holder will consider trauma-informed care practices, underpinned by awareness of patient histories in their approach to their clinical work and interaction with teams.

Alongside their clinical work, the post holder will provide regular reflective practice groups for staff and assist with other psychologically informed interventions such as Schwartz Rounds and Carer’s Support groups. The post holder will also contribute to and facilitate training for staff groups in relevant clinical areas and be responsible for the development and provision of clinical placements for trainee Arts Therapists where possible.

The post holder will be passionate about encouraging and supporting psychologically informed practice throughout the service, working with all teams within various interventions and approaches to ensure best practice and clinical outcomes for the patients. Contribution of professional knowledge and expertise in policy and service development and quality improvement projects will be required in addition to assisting with audits and evaluations where necessary.

Regular managerial supervision and team reflective practice is included as well as provision of external clinical supervision within the appropriate arts modality. There is access to and provision for creative materials for the Arts Therapists in appropriate areas throughout both sites. Opportunities for further professional development will also be included within the role.

Professional Requirements:

• MA in Art Therapy, Dramatherapy or Music Therapy Psychotherapy
• HCPC registration
• Membership of a related professional organisation (such as BAAT, BADth or BAMT) is desirable but not essential.
• Additional qualifications in relevant therapeutic modality (eg EMDR, MBT, IFS or CAT) is also desirable but not essential.
• Experience of delivering individual and group arts psychotherapy in clinical settings at least 3 years post qualification.
• Clinical skill or research in an area of specialist interest (e.g. Trauma, Personality Disorders, Dementia)
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specific Arts Therapies approaches in difficult to treat groups (e.g. non-verbal patients, those with learning disabilities, personality disorder)

Our hospitals are based in both Haslemere in Surrey and Ringwood in Hampshire. Please do indicate in your application if you have a preference of where you would be willing to work, and whether you would be willing to cover both sites.

Salary: £25,800 – £30,000 per year

Contracted Hours: 24 hours per week

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