Box Therapist

Our model features a powerful fusion of boxing and psychology, delivered by coaches and therapists that young people can trust, in a place where they feel safe, cared for and understood.

With Empire Fighting Chance, young people gain support in ways that are natural and enjoyable, encouraging them to turn up, relax, engage in the work, and go on to make positive changes to their lives.

About the job:

Do you have a drive for breaking down the barriers of traditional therapeutic services, whilst supporting young people to address mental health issues in a creative and non-stigmatising way? Are you looking to take on an exciting and unique opportunity working for an innovative charity? If so, read on...

We are passionate about breaking down the barriers that often prevent young people from accessing the mental health support they need. In many of the communities in which we work, mental health issues are stigmatised and rarely discussed. Traditional clinic-based therapy can be difficult to access and intimidating for young people, leading to reluctance in seeking the necessary help and opening up. Our approach is to bring mental health services out of clinics and into the communities where young people live.

Box Therapy combines non-contact boxing with psychologically informed interventions with the primary aim being to support and empower young people to improve their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Box Therapy most commonly takes place in a boxing gym setting, where our therapists use non-contact boxing as a physical outlet to help young people build trust, manage their emotions, and make positive changes in their lives. We also deliver Box Therapy in school-based settings.

Our therapists combine their own therapeutic knowledge and experience with the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) during sessions. ACT is a proven approach that helps young people cope with challenges and stress by building 'psychological flexibility'. By learning to hold thoughts and feelings more lightly and to focus instead on their own values, young people develop resilience and better mental health.

This is an incredible opportunity to play a key role in a thriving charity that is supporting youth in our community through an active and engaging approach to improving lives. Every day, we meet young people who are facing significant challenges in their lives such as mental health issues, chaotic home lives, difficulties at school or involvement in crime.

With your commitment, timely input, and ability to think outside the box, we can dramatically increase the impact of our work, and improve the mental health outcomes of those who engage with our services and promote new and innovative ways to break down the barriers many young people experience in accessing critical mental health support.

We are also embarking on an exciting journey to take Boxing Therapy to the nation. We have just finished our inaugural training programme to create and support new Boxing Therapists from across the UK.

Your role:

Box Therapy is an accessible way for young people to receive support from a qualified practitioner in a non-clinical, non-intimidating setting.

As a Boxing Therapist you will be expected to work with young people with moderate to severe and enduring mental health issues in both 1:1 and group settings. You will not be expected to have a specific sports or boxing qualification, but an interest in fitness and the benefits of physical activity as a therapeutic tool are essential. You will be based in Bristol but may be required to travel between Bristol and South Wales.

You will receive full boxing coaching skills training as a part of your induction, alongside training in ACT.

Your responsibilities:

• To provide effective mental health support to young people aged between 8 and 25. This includes combining non-contact boxing and physical exercise with psychosocial interventions.


• To work in a dynamic and unconventional work environment where flexibility and creativity are paramount.


• To work with young people in a 1:1 and group-based capacity in both gym and school-based settings


• To maintain the highest standards of record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing, outcome measurement and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with Service and Partner's policies and procedures.


• To ensure the development and maintenance of the highest personal and professional standards of practice, through active participation in clinical supervision, training, and reflective personal development sessions.


• To utilise assessment and formulation skills to guide the delivery of therapeutic interventions.


• To work flexibly and with initiative to meet the core aims of service delivery to children and young people, including working evenings and some weekends.


• To autonomously manage own caseload


• To build positive and effective relationships with young people/ carers/parents/ external services to aid a young person's therapeutic journey.


• To increase understanding and awareness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how this informs Box Therapy


• To work within a multi-disciplinary team, and alongside colleagues


• To work collaboratively with other organisations/agencies
  
  We are seeking compassionate and culturally competent therapeutic practitioners who understand the complexities of working-class communities and the impact of societal inequalities on mental health. In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide support and advocacy to clients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds., Registered practitioner (RMHN, OT, Practitioner Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist)


• Therapy-related qualification desirable


Essential attributes:

• A proactive and creative approach to work


• The ability to use own initiative and work cohesively as a part of a team.


• A willingness to support others, and ability to work empathically as part of a team.


• A creative and curious approach to providing alternative approaches to mental health support.


• An active interest in fitness and sport and its therapeutic potential.


• Confidence and enthusiasm, alongside a passion for professional development.


• Excellent written English skills with reading, writing and numeracy skills.


• The ability to build positive working relationships with young people, parents and careers, and other organisations/agencies.


• A high level of analytical and judgement skills.


• Robust and well-developed clinical reasoning skills


• The ability to engage young people in meaningful therapeutic alliances, being personable and welcoming whilst setting clear and consistent boundaries.


• Resilience, a sense of humour and the willingness to integrate as part of the wider Empire boxing team.


Required experience/knowledge:

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development in an area of mental health or supporting people field.


• Awareness of social determinants of mental health and wellbeing.


• Experience working with underserved populations, and an understanding of the social, economic, and cultural factors that impact mental health outcomes.


• An understanding of common mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.


• A good understanding of the barriers and challenges that people with serious mental health issues face.


• Must have some understanding of the issues affecting people from underserved and marginalised populations, and a commitment to social justice and advocacy.


• Must have a good understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination.


• Experience working with children and young people - particularly in assessing and delivering psychological interventions.


• Experience managing own caseload and time, and the ability to work autonomously.


• Previous experience of working within a diverse team


• Good knowledge and ability to use Microsoft programmes and the internet.


• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team, and collaboratively with other organisations/agencies


• An interest in boxing would be advantageous.
  
  Empire Fighting Chance is a sport for development charity. We use psychologically informed non-contact boxing programmes that reach around 10,000 vulnerable young people every year. We run these programmes in our gym, in schools, and through a growing network of partner organisations and affiliated amateur boxing clubs in England and Wales.