Principal Clinical / Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist

This post is for an 8b Innovation and Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR3.The successful candidate will work as part of the next stages of work in AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis.
This postholder will support Dr Tom Ward (Chief Investigator) and the wider team in delivering the key project aims:
Aim 1: The project will develop an English-language version of AVATAR therapy in which automated dialogues are delivered using Artificial Intelligence (AVATAR-AI) and test the feasibility of delivery by a non-specialist UK workforce.
Aim 2: We will establish AVATAR therapy Implementation and Training Hubs in two distinct LMIC settings (Ethiopia and India). For the first time, we will test the feasibility and cultural acceptability of standard AVATAR therapy (non AI) delivered in Indian and Ethiopian languages, spoken by over half a billion people., The post holder will:
· Support Dr Tom Ward and KCL-based Research Assistant(s) in development of study protocols and governance approvals for UK and International workstreams.
· Support the co-design process of AVATAR-AI and through collaboration with project leads, software developers, Lived Experience Lead, and Experts by Experience (EbE).
· Supervise the Assistant Psychologists, Lived Experience Researcher and Research Workers (KCL-based) to support data collection to a high standard, in line with study protocols.
· Oversee reporting and transfer of research data to project leads, in line with research governance approvals.
· Liaise with R&D regarding ethical amendments for the SLaM based feasibility study of AVATAR-AI
· Lead on training and supervision of therapists in the SLaM-based feasibility study of AVATAR-AI.
· Support Dr Tom Ward in working alongside Indian and Ethiopian partners in the cultural adaptation of AVATAR therapy for the international sites.
· Support Dr Tom Ward in the training and supervision of therapists based at Indian and Ethiopian Sites., The successful candidate will work as part of the next stages of work in AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. The therapy aims to reduce distress and help people to live life on their own terms. The person starts by creating their own 'avatar'. The 'avatar' looks and sounds like the main voice they hear. People learn to stand up to the voice and take control in a courageous and confident way. Having tested efficacy in rigorous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and with replication emerging from independent research groups, our focus is on national and international implementation of AVATAR therapy.
In the AVATAR3 project we will establish AVATAR therapy Implementation and Training Hubs in two distinct LMIC settings (Ethiopia and India). For the first time, we will test the feasibility and cultural acceptability of standard AVATAR therapy delivered in Indian and Ethiopian languages, spoken by over half a billion people. In parallel work, we will develop an English-language version of AVATAR therapy in which automated dialogues are delivered using Artificial Intelligence (AVATAR-AI) and test the feasibility of delivery by a non-specialist UK workforce. We will establish Hub leadership within each LMIC setting, building capacity for sustainable implementation of standard AVATAR therapy (now) and AVATAR-AI (future).
The study has 5 key aims, delivered over 5 work packages:
Aim 1: To develop, through diverse stakeholder engagement, ethically responsible and culturally acceptable adaptation of AVATAR therapy across LMIC and UK sites.
Aim 2: To establish Implementation Hubs in Ethiopia and India, to deliver and train AVATAR therapy.
Aim 3: To develop and conduct user testing of AI-powered conversational agents to deliver AVATAR therapy dialogues (in English).
Aim 4: To deliver AVATAR-AI, as a blended digital therapeutic.
Aim 5: To test the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of AVATAR-AI (UK), delivered by non-specialist mental health workers.
The post holder will support Dr Tom Ward in the delivery of these work packages.
The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:
+ Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
+ Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
+ We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity
Please note:
+ That all applications for this post will need to be made online
+ That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
+ That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
+ That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
+ That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
+ That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
+ That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
+ That we are a smoke-free Trust
SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'

NHS AfC: Band 8b
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working., Working for our organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with
King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
The AVATAR3 team will include clinicians, Experts by Experience, interdisciplinary researchers, and technical experts. The design and development of AVATAR-AI will involve working with contracted software developers. The team ethos centres on aiming to develop effective interventions which are engaging, accessible and effective for people from diverse communities.