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 projectwill 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.

Main duties of the job

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.

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.