Are you interested in a career with NHS Somerset Talking Therapies?

Job summary

NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression, working in partnership with the University of Exeter, invite applications from mental health professionals for the opportunity to train to as a High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (HICBT). We are a supportive service with a clear commitment to sustained professional growth and development. We are seeking motivated and resilient individuals who can effectively balance the competing demands of academic work and a clinical caseload.

We offer the opportunity to make a difference to the wellbeing of the Somerset population and work amidst supportive colleagues and dependable clinical leadership and management. Providing regular clinical supervision, managerial support and wellbeing activities. We operate from and around four bases (Bridgwater, Mendip, South Somerset & Taunton).

Main duties of the job

Applicants must be able to commit to all university dates, which will include blocks of teaching of up to four days. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) clinical practice per week within the service. This is a paid training opportunity over 1-year full time or part-time 3.5 to 4.5 days over 2 years. All trainees will be required to attend university on Mondays and Tuesdays plus block weeks and work in service for the remainder of the week. This is a hybrid role, both in person and remote working will be required.

Upon successful completion of the course and confirmation of BABCP accreditation this will become a permanent role as a qualified High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at Band 7 with NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression. We provide a structured preceptorship to support and develop therapists during their first year after qualifying.

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.

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.

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.