Join our team

Trainee & Volunteer Placements

Trainee counsellor placements

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 2,000 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.

For more information or to send your C.V to apply for a placement please email: suzannel@smchh.co.uk

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

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.

Thank you for considering practicing 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 practice 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.

We interview all prospective therapists and if successful you also will need to provide the following information before you can begin client work

We will need you to provide evidence:

  • 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 £5 million insurance covering you to practice 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

Are you ready to join us

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've loved volunteering here, there has always been 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