Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
Are you passionate about delivering CBT and looking for a new opportunity?
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (previously IAPT) are seeking a skilled and motivated High Intensity CBT Therapist to join our Taunton and South Somerset teams. This hybrid role involves providing CBT both face to face in person and remotely via video consultation, ensuring flexible and accessible support for our patients.
We are a busy, high-performing Talking Therapies service based in one of England’s most desirable counties. Alongside CBT, we deliver a wide range of step 3 interventions (IPT, DIT, PCE, EMDR, MBCT) and step 2 treatments including guided self-help, groups, webinars and digital self-help tools. We consistently achieve recovery rates above the national target and pride ourselves on our innovative model of care, where there is no waiting list for step 2 interventions and a clear, effective pathway for step 3 treatments.


Psychological Therapist- Talking Therapies
This is an exciting opportunity for a Psychological Therapist or Counsellor to join NHS Somerset Talking Therapies Service for Depression and Anxiety, working within either our South Somerset Team (Yeovil/Chard) or our Taunton Team.
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is a high-performing service with one of the best recovery rates in the country. We have excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care through the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. As part of our multi-professional workforce in primary care, you will support adults experiencing depression, anxiety and long-term health conditions, offering therapy both face-to-face and via video link. Flexible working opportunities are available.
Applicants who do not yet hold a Talking Therapies-compliant qualification in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Person Centre Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD) will be considered for a Band 6 recruit-to-train position, with full training provided.

Short term recovery focused treatment
Somerset NHS Talking Therapies is part of a network of NHS Talking Therapies services across England, designed to provide short term recovery focused treatment for adults with common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety disorders. We can also support patients to cope better if they have experienced a traumatic event or are struggling to live with a long term physical health condition.
We offer specialised assessments and use psychometric measures to understand a patient’s primary difficulty and provide the best support and treatment. We use a stepped care model, recommending the least intrusive intervention first when appropriate. We also closely liaise with other services, such as GPs, health visitors and the Community Mental Health Team, to establish and provide the best care.
Clinical roles in NHS Somerset Talking Therapies
Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs)
Senior PWPs
Assessment workers
Cognitive behavioural therapists
Psychological therapists (counsellors)
Team leaders
Service leaders
Trainees supported by qualified members of staff.


Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
PWPs are mental health professionals in NHS Talking Therapies services. They are trained to assess and treat common mental health difficulties and support patients in the self-management of their recovery, while liaising with other healthcare professionals and managing any risk. They deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions through a variety of formats, such as face to face, telephone, group and online programmes.
Becoming a PWP
There are different routes to becoming a PWP, with varying combinations of learning, assessment and placement. Most will require at least 1 year’s prior experience in a mental health setting or other relevant personal/life experience.
A common route to becoming a PWP is to complete a certificate in low intensity CBT interventions. This involves academic work through a university and supervised practice through employment in a local Talking Therapies service. Prior experience needed for this would be a level 5 qualification or level 6 degree. Other routes to becoming a qualified PWP include completing a master’s level degree with PWP placement (3 years at undergraduate level with dissertation research project, plus an additional placement year), or a PWP apprenticeship.
Career progression
After a minimum of two years’ experience as a PWP, you can look to progress into roles such as a Senior PWP taking on clinical supervision and management. Others may look to complete further training to become a high intensity CBT therapist. Further progression opportunities include PWP service lead or other clinical psychology roles.