Principal Psychotherapist

The Iris Therapeutic Community day programme strives to operate within the principles of a therapeutic community and utilises relational approaches in the treatment of patients attending. Therapeutic Communities (TCs) are structured, psychologically informed environments they are places where the social relationships, structure of the day and different activities together are all deliberately designed to help address relational difficulties and promote health and well-being. The ethos that every person within the therapeutic community is an important member is central. Community members are encouraged to participate in the running of the service, including chairing daily community meetings, organising emotional support, cleaning, ordering food, preparing meals and other psychosocial activities.

Staff and community members, whenever possible, work in a democratically based partnership in all aspects of the day-to-day functioning of the community. The programme offers the community member (clients) an opportunity over 3 full days to participate in a combination of small and larger community group experiences and contribute to being part of a living and learning environment. Twice weekly group psychotherapy is offered as part of the wider TC day. This is delivered in conjunction with the wider mental health service provision and considers the important relationships with the community members named professional, Housing providers and other key professionals as key to the success of the treatment programme.

The post holder will be an integral part of the team in the Iris TC, bringing psychodynamic thinking to support the understanding and formulation of the challenges faced in the TC and working closely with the Psychosocial Team Lead, Psychosocial Practitioners, Professional Lead and Medical Psychotherapists in delivering the therapeutic programme, including co-facilitating the twice weekly psychotherapy group and contributing to the assessment of referrals to the TC. Key tasks: 1. To contribute to the systematic provision of a high quality therapy service within a psychodynamically and psychosocially informed therapeutic community, across Devon, as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services across Devon Partnership NHS Trust. 2.

Providing clinical leadership and supervision to less experienced staff members, trainees and volunteers employed by or attached to the Personality Disorder Service and wider mental health services. 3. Contribution to the assessment of prospective therapeutic community members through collaborative and multi professional assessment and work proactively as a member of MDT in delivering the daily running of the programme. 4.

To work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychotherapy/therapy practice within professional and Trust guidelines as a specialist practitioner. 5. The post holder will receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the appropriate designated Professional Body. 6.

Observe and abide by all relevant Codes of Conduct and Practice, including the appropriate designated Professional Body. The post holder will be registered with an appropriate Professional Body as a condition of employment.