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Job description

Background: CALMS, an acronym for Community Action for Locally Managing Stress, was formed in Derry/Londonderry towards the end of 1994. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and has achieved charitable status. CALMS’s focus is holistic and centres on helping individuals and organisations recognise, reduce and manage stress. Accordingly, it concentrates on services, programmes, activities and approaches that are educative, preventative and rehabilitative in nature. The objects of the charity are the preservation and protection of the health of the people in the North West of Ireland who suffer from stress generally, as well as those affected directly or indirectly by violence and to advance the education of the public in and about the causes of stress and its management within the community.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of 12 to 14 fifty minute sessions of Talking Therapy per week
• Integrative counselling using some of the following approaches: Trauma Informed Therapy, EMDR, CBT etc
• Ensure that clients’ data is stored, secure and up to date on a weekly basis
• Attend all training relevant to the post
• Ensure database is kept up to date
• To deliver and provide online stress management programmes
• To assess clients and work with them to develop coping strategies and treatment plans
• To facilitate self-understanding and growth
• To keep detailed, confidential records
• To engage in CALMS team meetings and attend regular supervision monthly
• To help clients to overcome personal difficulties relating to trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, financial situations etc.
• To work with the rest of the team to ensure that clients receive all the types of support and treatments from which they may benefit
• To keep up to date with the latest professional developments and counselling techniques and treatments
• To undertake all duties in accordance with CALMS philosophy recognised professional guidelines and the CALMS commitment to equality of opportunity and collective responsibility
• Please note: the job role may involve working unsociable hours.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• 5 GCSEs to include English and Maths
• IT proficiency, e.g. Microsoft Office
• Third Level or Equivalent Qualification in Counselling/Talking Therapy
• Accredited Member with BACP or IACP or other Recognised Professional Body
• Must have 5 or more years experience in a counselling role
• Must have 5 or more years’ experience in community development
• Must have 5 or more years’ experience in trauma therapy
• Understanding of Talking Therapies
• Understanding of Integrative Approaches and other counselling models;
• Accredited with BACP or IACP or other bodies
• Good understanding of Model and approaches for treatment of Trauma
• Evidence of Continuous Personal Development in the last 5 years
• Essential Safeguarding and Data Protection qualifications
• Essential Mental Health First Aid
• Strong working knowledge of IT systems and skilled in Microsoft Excel and database
• Understanding the importance of record keeping and confidentiality
• Ability to complete reports in a neat and timely manner
• Excellent communication skills
• An understanding of and commitment to multi-disciplinary working
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• High attention to detail
• Understanding of health and safety issues
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Must be able to work as part of a team
• Must be able to work independently and to your own initiative to strict deadlines
• Flexible, proactive and able to work under pressure
• Ability to apply discretion in sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality at all times

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working with Victim and Survivors
• Experience of working in the community and voluntary sectors
• Experience of managing a busy office
• Experience of multicultural diversity and associated issues.

Further Information

Location: CALMS - 8 Crawford Square, Derry BT48 7HR. Application to be submitted by email to chair@calmsstresscentre.org  before the deadline Friday 20th March 2026 at 12noon.  2 references will be contacted upon successful interview and must agree to Access NI check. Please note: We will not accept applications received after the closing deadline.