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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, in conjunction with the University of Exeter, are seeking suitable candidates to train as High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapists in our Mendip team based in Wells. We are aiming for successful candidates to commence employment December 2024 ahead of the course start date on 6th January 2025.

You must be able to attend university as required, 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. The part-time option is 3.5 to 4.5 days over 2 years, trainees will be required to attend university on Mondays and Tuesdays plus block weeks and work in service 1.5 days to 2.5 days per week.

On successful completion of the training and BABCP practitioner accreditation this will become a permanent role as a High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (Band 7) with Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression.

We are seeking a robust, competent and motivated individual who can manage the competing demands of academic work alongside a clinical caseload. Previous related experience will be of great benefit.

Are you passionate about delivering CBT and looking for a new opportunity?

NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (previously IAPT) are looking for a HICBT Therapist for this hybrid role based in our Taunton team to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy both face to face in person and via video consultation.

We are a busy Talking Therapies service in one of England’s most desirable counties. Alongside CBT, we offer other time-limited Step 3 interventions (IPT, DIT, PCE, EMDR, MBCT) as well as Step 2 treatments, including guided self-help, groups, webinars and a digital self-help portal.

We provide effective and timely evidence-based therapies following the Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression model. We value patient outcomes and have a high recovery rate consistently above the national target. Our innovative assessment and treatment model means there is no wait for step 2 interventions and effective process for accessing step 3 interventions.

We currently provide CBT both remotely via video consultation and in person at venues across Somerset, therapists have a mixture of remote and venue-based working within the team locality. Successful applicants would be expected to be flexible to adapt to patient and service need. We operate from and around four bases (Bridgwater, Chard, Taunton & Wells). We do not currently have any fully remote contracts available.

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.