Psychological Therapist - Maternal Mental Health Service

Job content

Maternal Mental Health ServiceA fantastic opportunity has arisen to be involved in the development and delivery of a specialist birth trauma and perinatal loss service; the ‘Maternal Mental Health Service’ (MMHS). As detailed within the NHS Long Term Plan (January 2019), the newly commissioned, integrated NHS Maternal Mental Health Service, known locally in Kent and Medway as ‘Thrive – Psychological Support for Birth Trauma and Perinatal Loss’ offers evidence-based assessment and psychological therapy to women and birthing people with moderate-severe or complex mental health difficulties, specifically psychological trauma, directly resulting from or associated with the maternity experience.We are looking for a psychological therapist (Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/CBT Therapist/Psychotherapist) who has experience of working with people with trauma and/or loss to join our supportive and passionate team. This is a fantastic developmental opportunity in which the postholders will be supported to train in and gain highly specialist psychological treatment skills, specifically Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). Sound knowledge of its application is essential and the post holder will receive further relevant training (e.g. EMDR training).We welcome applications from newly qualified Psychologists and/or those who are due to qualify this year.these are 4 x part time roles, each at 0.8 WTE / 4 days per week / 30 hours per weekThrive is a 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, community service. Being part-time roles, the days are to be advised / negotiable. The localities are Medway, North Kent and West Kent, however the post holders must be willing (and have the ability) to travel across the county (Kent and Medway-wide) as required.Thrive is not a crisis or emergency service, and does not care co-ordinate.We Aim To Support Those Who Are Suffering Difficulties Such As (but Not Limited To)We, as a service in collaboration with Acute Hospital Trusts, embody a trauma-informed care ethos and culture in line with current national perinatal guidance.

• PTSD following birth trauma
• PTSD following perinatal loss (including early miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, unsuccessful IVF, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination of pregnancy for any reason, parent-infant separation at birth)
• Tokophobia (severe fear of pregnancy and childbirth)

Evidence-based psychological interventions include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Tf-CBT), Compassion-Focussed Therapy, as well as trauma-informed consultation, pathway development, support, signposting, outreach, and joint-working with other services within the perinatal mental health pathway as appropriate. The specialist team consists of Psychotherapists/Psychological Practitioners, Specialist Mental Health Midwives/Bereavement Midwives and Peer Support Workers, with robust pathways into other services as required.For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Athena Duffy Job title: Consultant Clinical Psychologist Email address: athena.duffy@nhs.net Telephone number: 07809 383054