Come and join our team
Trainee and Volunteer Opportunities
St. Martin’s Counselling and Psychotherapy is committed to providing professionally supported placements for trainee & qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, CBT practitioners, counselling psychologists and those working towards professional accreditation.
Our team have successfully supported over 2000 trainees in obtaining clinical hours and are able to offer you a challenging and varied caseload of clients.
We have training agreements with over 20 Universities and training providers and are keen to develop relationships with new training organisations.
To register your interest for a placement with us, please click on the following link:
We are currently shortlisting and interviewing candidates who have applied in January and February. If you have been successful you will receive an email inviting you to attend an interview with us. If you have not heard from us by the end of March then we are sorry that you have not been successful on this occasion.
We can offer you
Placement Benefits
Friendly, Professional Team
As one of our 150+ therapists, you’ll benefit from working within a vibrant, friendly team supported by highly qualified senior counsellors and a management team with many years of experience.
Flexible Delivery
Open 60 hours a week—Monday to Saturday, you will have the opportunity to deliver both remote and face-to-face therapy. Homeworking providing e-therapy can also be considered.
Central Location
For face-to-face sessions our purpose-built therapy centre is conveniently located in the heart of Birmingham, just minutes walking from New Street Station.
Peer Support
Our large peer-support group offers everyone a welcoming community to share experiences, socialise, and learn from each other.
Risk and Safety
We are positive about risk, ensuring a wide variety of ‘presentations’, and a challenging caseload, depending on your level of experience. All of our client work adheres to the Ethical Framework of BACP, UKCP, BABCP and BPS and our Risk Management processes, Safeguarding, Confidentiality & Data Protection (GDPR) policies and procedures align with those of the NHS.
Are you ready to join us?
Thank you for considering practising with us.
We work hard to maintain the highest of professional standards on behalf of our clients.- You will need to be qualified or studying Counselling and/or Psychotherapy at Level 4 and above, have some clinical experience or a fitness-to-practise or similar from your training provider.
- You will need to commit to a minimum of 4 hours at the same time each week for at least 12 months.
- Of your Identity—Photo ID such as a Passport or Driving License
- You are on a valid therapy training course
- Of your registration with a recognised governing body
- Of £5million insurance covering you to practise as a therapist
- You have a supervisor
- Of a current DBS
- Of a Prevent Certificate: Link
- Of a Level 3 Adult safeguarding certificate: Link
- Contact details for two people we can approach for references
Preference will be given to people prepared to offer online and telephone sessions, in addition to face-to-face.
What our Trainee Counsellors are saying
I’m really enjoying the process—and learning a lot. I enjoy being part of SMCHH—the WhatsApp group is a lovely space for hearing the voices of other trainee placement volunteers and I find all contact with the office very supportive and helpful.
Laura • Trainee Counsellor
I loved volunteering here, there was always so much support around me from St Martins.
Stephen • Trainee Counsellor
I am very excited to be part of St Martin’s. I love being a Counsellor and, whilst I find my training challenging at times, I feel that it was what I was meant to do.
Saffron • Trainee Counsellor
Suzanne and Ryan are always around to answer any queries, promptly making things very easy for me. I feel supported, and one prime example was when Ryan informed me that I did everything right when a client was not ready to continue our work together. I needed that and received the supportive message at just the right moment.
Emily • Trainee Counsellor
