Researcher

Researcher with experience of counselling, psychotherapy, coaching or mental health services.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Location: Remote

Duration: 10 months – January 2027 to October 2027

Hours: Flexible

Contract 10 months’ work, allocated at 1 day per week from January 2027 to October 2027.

BACP develop, implement and undertake programmes of research in line with BACP’s strategy.

We are looking for a Researcher to deliver an “evidence-based enquiry into the effectiveness of online teaching delivery and remote placements in core counselling and psychotherapy training”.

The research is to identify and synthesise current research relating to online teaching delivery and remote placements. The aim is to identify available evidence to inform future research, foster inclusive approaches, and support access to equitable, ethical, and effective counselling and psychotherapy.

Main responsibilities

To complete a review of existing research relating to the effectiveness of online teaching delivery and remote placements in core counselling and psychotherapy training.

Specific tasks

• Review and provide updates, evaluation and preliminary findings at 3 monthly intervals.
• Be involved in further discussions when / if required. 
• Deliver on each stage of the review process (i.e. developing a search strategy. Abstract screening, making decisions on papers for inclusion, extracting relevant data, synthesising findings, and write up for publication).

Person Specification

• Experience of counselling, psychotherapy, coaching or mental health services or experience of conducting research in the field of counselling and psychotherapy.
• In-depth knowledge of research in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, research methodologies and experience of undertaking and disseminating research.
• Ideally holding or working towards a relevant PhD, for example in social sciences.
• Experience of conducting systematic literature searching and reviewing, ideally to PRISMA guidelines.
• Ability and experience of researching, analysing and summarising information and complex issues into a clear, concise, accurate and accessible form.
• Have experience of writing for publication in the field of counselling and psychotherapy research.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills; an ability to work on own initiative, to organise and prioritise work to agreed deadlines.

Time commitment and fees

A fee of £10,000 gross salary to be paid in 3 instalments worked flexibly within agreed deadlines and within the timeline of the project.

Any expenses occurred for attendance at events or meetings, are covered at your expense in agreeance with the fee paid.

To apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your skills and experiences with the requirements of the role via the 'Apply' button above (E: edi@bacp.co.uk).

Shortlisting: Week commencing 20 November 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 1 December 2026.

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