Jobs and placements

We’re always keen to hear from people who want to be part of our team. Whether you’re a qualified counsellor, clinical supervisor, experienced manager, or looking to join our board as a trustee, we’d love to connect.

We also offer placements for trainee counsellors working towards their qualifications, and welcome applications from those passionate about learning and making a difference. If you’re committed to supporting mental health in your community, take a look at how you could get involved.

Read a Counsellor case study here.

 

Read more about training

Jobs

Chief Executive Officer

· Part Time 3 days per week
· Remote but ideally commutable to Henley on Thames
· Annual Salary £55,000 (FTE based on 35 hour week)

We are looking to recruit a CEO to take Riverside Counselling Service on the next phase of its journey. For more than 30 years, Riverside has provided clinically excellent, affordable and accessible therapeutic services across our local communities in South Oxfordshire. Every day, we see the life-changing difference that timely, compassionate support can make to people experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties.

Our vision is simple but ambitious: stronger, healthier communities where everyone can access the mental health support they need.

You will be the face and voice of the charity, its principal ambassador.

Previous charity CEO experience is a bonus but not essential we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds. However an understanding and appreciation of counselling and psychotherapeutic approaches would be a distinct advantage.

For full details the recruitment pack is available here

Making an Application

To apply for the CEO role at Riverside, please send your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification to: contact@riversidecounselingservice.co.uk

Closing date: 02.10.2026
Shortlisting w/c: 05.10.2026
Interviews w/c: 12.10.2026

We look forward to hearing from you

Informal Discussions

Informal conversations about the role can be arranged with:

Catherine McLaughlin Chair of the Board of Trustees Riverside Counselling Service

Sophie Wellings Chief Executive Officer Riverside Counselling Service

Placements

We are currently open for placement applications; however, availability is limited. To apply for a placement with us, please see the “How to apply” section below.

 

Before submitting an application, please ensure that your training meets our criteria, that you understand our placement expectations and that you include all required documentation with your submission.

 

Training with Riverside

Our criteria for trainee counsellors:

We’re looking for motivated trainees who meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in a BACP-approved or accredited training program, or one that is accredited by the UKCP/BPS/BPC, with a minimum duration of 2 years. 
  • Can commit to a 2-year placement. 
  • Have completed an introductory counselling course or have prior experience in a helping capacity before starting clinical work.
  • Can be in weekly personal therapy for the duration of your training, and for a minimum of 2 years in total. Your therapist should be BACP accredited, UKCP/BPC registered, or BPS chartered with a minimum of 5 years post-qualification clinical experience.

How to apply:

If you meet our criteria and are able to meet our placement requirements as outlined above, please complete the placement application here as well as the availability document here. Please email them together with a personal statement and CV to: .

Guidelines for writing a personal statement are accessible here.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Our placement expectations:

During your placement, we ask that you:

  • Attend Monday morning team meetings and training until 12:30pm. This includes a monthly online team meeting and termly face-to-face community meetings, along with compulsory training sessions (e.g., safeguarding) and optional ones.
  • Be able to work at one of our 2 hubs (Henley or Wallingford) or remotely, depending on client needs. We will consider your personal preference but place counsellors based on where support is most needed.
  • Engage with administrative tasks related to client work in a timely manner. You’ll be trained to use our cloud-based client management system.
  • Gradually build up to working with 4 clients per week, with the possibility of offering some evening hours.
  • Attend supervision every 2 weeks to meet BACP and course ratio requirements.
  • Contribute a small fee of £50 per month towards supervision to maintain high-quality clinical support.