Principal Psychologist
De Mauley Pl, The Village, Stockton on the Forest, York YO32 9UN, UK
Onsite
Published 5 days ago
Full time
£58,250 - £68,250 per year
Healthcare | Psychology
|
Private Healthcare
Principal Psychologist
Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
Department: Allied Health Professionals and Psychology
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Stockton Hall
Compensation: £58,250 - £68,250 / year
Description
Are you passionate and motivated to psychologically support people who have experienced trauma and mental health difficulties? We are seeking an experienced, HCPC registered practitioner psychologist with experience of working within mental health settings, ideally in a forensic service. You will join a multi-disciplinary team working within our medium secure service, offering leadership, consultancy, assessment and interventions. Ideally, the post-holder will have a confident grasp of a range of psychological therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
The successful candidate will join our dynamic, well-established Psychology Department within a successful and respected service. At Stockton Hall Hospital, just outside York, we are well-known for producing positive clinical outcomes for highly complex patients. We provide a medium-secure care setting in which patients access a broad range of therapeutic interventions including one-to-one and group-based psychological treatments. Our service has produced excellent recovery results for patients, maximising their opportunity to progress to conditions of lower-security as safely and efficiently as possible.
The hospital is split across nine wards, providing care for up to 112 male and female patients with a broad range of diagnoses including PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, mental illness, and personality disorder. This diverse patient population makes Stockton Hall a fulfilling and stimulating environment in which to work, and provides the opportunity to develop a broad range of clinical competencies as well as areas of clinical specialism.
Our therapeutic setting provides a range of facilities that promote real work and vocational opportunities, as well as allowing for a wide range of group sessions and activities. All patients receive an individualised timetable, covering seven days a week, which includes one-to-one and group-based therapy.
What you'll be doing
Psychologists work across the wards, offering opportunities for a varied and diverse role. This may include the use of structured risk assessment measures and one-to-one and group-based interventions relating to a range of potential risks and needs such as sexual and violent offending, fire-setting, problem solving, substance misuse and anger management. The role will require implementation of specialist psychological interventions as per NICE and best practice guidelines. Therapeutic modalities used within treatment currently draw on a range of approaches including: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and EMDR. We would welcome applications from individuals with experience in any of these approaches although ongoing CPD will be supported.
The hospital is currently striving to embed a trauma informed approach to care and treatment. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will contribute to the promotion of a TIC approach within the hospital. Your role will, therefore, incorporate wider activities including staff training, reflective practice, formulation and de-brief sessions, service development and evaluation, research, and provision of clinical supervision. Experience of providing clinical supervision is essential.
You will have the ability to apply psychological knowledge to a psychiatric setting, adopting a systemic approach and responding flexibly to both the treatment requirements of mentally disordered individuals and the complexities associated with organisational settings.
You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients
What you'll bring to the role
Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.
A confident grasp of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, along with at least two other therapeutic modalities-one of which includes training in an intervention suitable for working with location-specific disorders-is essential. This is complemented by a strong understanding and application of therapeutic principles, alongside a willingness to undertake further training where needed. Experience working with complex clients is important, particularly in delivering high-level interventions for individuals with more intricate needs. Additionally, training in clinical supervision is required, as well as demonstrated understanding, experience, and training in relevant assessment approaches tailored to the specific environment and population. Finally, leadership and management experience is also a key component of this skill set.
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we would welcome you to make contact for an initial discussion/visit to the service. To hear more about this exciting role please contact Katy Baigrie, Head of Psychology, or Becca Triffitt, Consultant Forensic Psychologist, on 01904 400500.
What we will give you in return
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
Department: Allied Health Professionals and Psychology
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Stockton Hall
Compensation: £58,250 - £68,250 / year
Description
Are you passionate and motivated to psychologically support people who have experienced trauma and mental health difficulties? We are seeking an experienced, HCPC registered practitioner psychologist with experience of working within mental health settings, ideally in a forensic service. You will join a multi-disciplinary team working within our medium secure service, offering leadership, consultancy, assessment and interventions. Ideally, the post-holder will have a confident grasp of a range of psychological therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
The successful candidate will join our dynamic, well-established Psychology Department within a successful and respected service. At Stockton Hall Hospital, just outside York, we are well-known for producing positive clinical outcomes for highly complex patients. We provide a medium-secure care setting in which patients access a broad range of therapeutic interventions including one-to-one and group-based psychological treatments. Our service has produced excellent recovery results for patients, maximising their opportunity to progress to conditions of lower-security as safely and efficiently as possible.
The hospital is split across nine wards, providing care for up to 112 male and female patients with a broad range of diagnoses including PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, mental illness, and personality disorder. This diverse patient population makes Stockton Hall a fulfilling and stimulating environment in which to work, and provides the opportunity to develop a broad range of clinical competencies as well as areas of clinical specialism.
Our therapeutic setting provides a range of facilities that promote real work and vocational opportunities, as well as allowing for a wide range of group sessions and activities. All patients receive an individualised timetable, covering seven days a week, which includes one-to-one and group-based therapy.
What you'll be doing
Psychologists work across the wards, offering opportunities for a varied and diverse role. This may include the use of structured risk assessment measures and one-to-one and group-based interventions relating to a range of potential risks and needs such as sexual and violent offending, fire-setting, problem solving, substance misuse and anger management. The role will require implementation of specialist psychological interventions as per NICE and best practice guidelines. Therapeutic modalities used within treatment currently draw on a range of approaches including: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and EMDR. We would welcome applications from individuals with experience in any of these approaches although ongoing CPD will be supported.
The hospital is currently striving to embed a trauma informed approach to care and treatment. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will contribute to the promotion of a TIC approach within the hospital. Your role will, therefore, incorporate wider activities including staff training, reflective practice, formulation and de-brief sessions, service development and evaluation, research, and provision of clinical supervision. Experience of providing clinical supervision is essential.
You will have the ability to apply psychological knowledge to a psychiatric setting, adopting a systemic approach and responding flexibly to both the treatment requirements of mentally disordered individuals and the complexities associated with organisational settings.
You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients
- Undertake the role of Principal Psychologist for a designated ward(s) and/or group of patients as agreed with the Head of Psychology. This includes assessment, formulation, intervention (group and/or one to one) and evaluation in line with the patient's presentation and care pathway. Assess patients using appropriate assessments and psychometric measures and interpret and report results accurately
- To work autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.
What you'll bring to the role
Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.
A confident grasp of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, along with at least two other therapeutic modalities-one of which includes training in an intervention suitable for working with location-specific disorders-is essential. This is complemented by a strong understanding and application of therapeutic principles, alongside a willingness to undertake further training where needed. Experience working with complex clients is important, particularly in delivering high-level interventions for individuals with more intricate needs. Additionally, training in clinical supervision is required, as well as demonstrated understanding, experience, and training in relevant assessment approaches tailored to the specific environment and population. Finally, leadership and management experience is also a key component of this skill set.
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we would welcome you to make contact for an initial discussion/visit to the service. To hear more about this exciting role please contact Katy Baigrie, Head of Psychology, or Becca Triffitt, Consultant Forensic Psychologist, on 01904 400500.
What we will give you in return
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
- Free on-site parking
- Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
- Enhanced maternity pay
- Contributory pension scheme
- Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
- Access to development opportunities
- Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
- Leadership & management development
- Long service aw
Salary range
- £58,250 - £68,250 per year
Band
- Band 8a
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