Counsellor

About us:
Manchester Metropolitan University is home to one of the UK's most vibrant student communities. Our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service plays a vital role in supporting students to manage psychological difficulties and overcome barriers to study and achieve their potential.

We are seeking an experienced and professionally qualified Counsellor to join our established multi-disciplinary team. This is an opportunity to work in a busy, forward-thinking university service that values high-quality therapeutic work and a commitment to continuous reflective practice and improvement.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide time-limited counselling or therapy, undertake initial assessments, including identification and appropriate management of risk concerns, and contribute to our programme of psychoeducational group-based sessions.

About the role:
We are looking for an experienced Counsellor to join our busy Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing individual counselling or psychotherapy for students presenting with a wide range of psychological, emotional and mental health difficulties.
• Undertaking comprehensive initial assessments, including risk assessment and psychological formulation.
• Supporting students experiencing significant distress and complex mental health difficulties and personal circumstances.
• Working closely with university staff and external mental health services to support student wellbeing and ensure safe care.
• Managing a busy caseload and maintaining accurate, secure client records.
• Delivering psychoeducational group-based sessions on managing common mental health difficulties.
• Providing consultation, guidance and training for university staff in relation to student mental health and wellbeing.
• Participating in regular clinical supervision, case discussion and client feedback processes.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and wider Student Services provision.

About you:

• You will hold a professional qualification in counselling, psychotherapy or counselling psychology.
• You will be accredited, registered, or working towards accreditation with a recognised professional body such as BACP, UKCP, ACAT, BABCP or an equivalent professional body.
• You will bring significant post-qualification experience of providing brief, focused counselling or psychotherapy, including assessment, formulation and risk management.
• You will be confident working with a diverse student population and able to demonstrate a commitment to inclusive, anti-discriminatory and culturally responsive practice.

We are particularly interested in hearing from practitioners who can evidence:

• Strong relational and therapeutic skills.
• Experience of working with clients presenting with complex needs including post-trauma difficulties using Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) or other relational approach.
• Experience of providing therapeutic support to neurodivergent clients, including autistic people and people with ADHD.
• Experience of delivering workshops, groups or psychoeducational interventions.
• A commitment to ethical practice, clinical supervision and continuing professional development.

How to apply:
Please submit your CV and Covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification via our application portal (available on our website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

If you have any specific enquires about the position, please contact Karen Morgan (Head of Counselling, Mental Health & Wellbeing Service) at karen.morgan@mmu.ac.uk.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the Job Description for that vacancy.

This vacancy is expected to attract a high volume of applications. Therefore, under the Disability Confident Scheme, only disabled people who apply under the scheme and best meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview.