Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for Psychosis | Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; Abbotsham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A large healthcare trust is seeking an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practitioner to join their Early Intervention Team for First Episode Psychosis. The role involves delivering high-intensity CBT interventions, managing a caseload, and collaborating with a dedicated team. Applicants should ideally have CBT qualifications and experience working with psychosis and complex trauma. The position offers opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Clinical supervision

Continuing Professional Development

Opportunities for BABCP accreditation

Qualifications

• Must have a CBT qualification and experience providing CBT for psychosis.
• Must have experience working with complex trauma.
• Willingness to start the top-up course for CBT accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-intensity CBT interventions to clients.
• Manage caseload and provide evidence-based treatment.
• Collaborate within a psychology team for comprehensive care.

Skills

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Experience with psychosis

Family work understanding

Education

CBT qualification

Accreditation with BABCP

Job description

Organisation: St Helens and Knowsley Early Intervention in Psychosis Team (Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust)

Base: Harry Blackman House, Peasley Cross, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, and flexible accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practitioner to join our Early Intervention Team for First Episode Psychosis. Applicants need to have completed CBTp training with a registered site or be willing to start the top-up course at Prestwich CBT centre in September/October this year. Applicants should be accredited with the BABCP or able to achieve accreditation within a year of employment.

We offer staff clinical supervision with our Consultant Clinical Psychologist, along with regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) time to support skill expansion.

The applicant must have a CBT qualification and preferably experience providing CBT for individuals with psychosis, bipolar disorder, and/or personality difficulties.

The successful applicant will also offer CBT to individuals on the At Risk Mental State (ARMS) Pathway and must have experience working with complex trauma.

The post involves working within a psychology team comprising a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and two part-time CBT therapists. You will deliver evidence-based high-intensity CBT interventions to clients primarily experiencing first episode psychosis, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, personality difficulties, and anxiety disorders.

Work will involve a wide age range (14-65) and diverse cultural backgrounds. The service uses interpreters when necessary and is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity.

Supporting individuals identified as ARMS and those experiencing a first episode of psychosis is required.

Experience delivering CBT is essential. Experience or training in family work is desirable, as family involvement is evidence-based within this client group.

Mersey Care is a large trust providing physical and mental health services across the North West, North Wales, and the Midlands, serving over 1.4 million people. We offer a range of inpatient and community services, including specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction, and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of the UK’s few trusts with high secure mental health facilities.

Our core commitment is to ‘perfect care’—safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable, and efficient. We support staff development and collaborate with service users, families, and carers to shape future services. We are currently implementing organizational and service transformation to improve quality and reduce costs.

Flexible working requests will be considered.

You will manage your caseload, deliver evidence-based high-intensity CBT interventions with regular supervision, and may have opportunities to develop supervisory skills and support other therapists, with the potential to achieve BABCP accreditation.

The role is Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Willingness to travel across different locations within the Trust for clinical work, training, and supervision is required. Bases include Harry Blackman House, Knowsley R&R, and other sites across St Helens and Knowsley.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full duties and responsibilities.

This advert closes on Thursday, 31 July 2025.