Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (High Intensity)

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Carmarthen; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to deliver specialist CBT for older adults within the Older Adult Mental Health Psychology Service. The role involves assessment, formulation, and evidence-based interventions across community and inpatient settings.

You will work within a compassionate multidisciplinary team, contribute to service development, and support supervision and training to advance CBT practice in Older Adult services.

Qualifications

• MSc or Postgraduate Diploma in CBT.
• Accreditation with BABCP.
• Knowledge of psychopathology models and evidence-based therapies.
• Registration with NMC/HCPC/SCW; supervision qualification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist CBT assessment, formulation and interventions for older adults.
• Work across community and inpatient settings within a multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to consultancy, care planning and joint formulation.
• Support service development, supervision and training in CBT for Older Adults.

Skills

CBT delivery

Assessment & formulation

Communication

Collaboration in MDT

Clinical supervision delivery

Education

MSc or Postgraduate Diploma in CBT

BABCP accreditation

Additional psychological therapy qualification

Registration with professional body (NMC/HCPC/SCW)

Job description

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (High Intensity)

Make a meaningful difference to the lives of older adults, while developing your specialist CBT skills within a highly supportive psychology service.

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to join our well-established Older Adult Mental Health Psychology Service, within Hywel Dda University Health Board.

This rewarding role offers the chance to provide specialist CBT assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions for older adults experiencing a range of complex psychological and mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related difficulties, bereavement, adjustment to life changes, and long-term health conditions.

Working across community and inpatient settings, you will be part of a compassionate, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. You will contribute to psychologically informed consultancy, shared formulation, psychologically informed care planning, and collaborative multidisciplinary working, to improve outcomes for older people and their families

Main duties of the job

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful and rewarding work with a valued older adult population.
• Opportunities to develop specialist skills in complex mental health presentations.
• Strong psychological therapies and multidisciplinary team support.
• Involvement in service development, quality improvement, audit and outcomes monitoring.
• Opportunities to contribute to supervision, training and the ongoing development of CBT practice across Older Adult Mental Health Services.
• Access to professional development and continuing learning within a supportive health board.

About You:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated BABCP-accredited CBT Therapist with:

• Experience of delivering CBT within mental health services.
• Excellent assessment, formulation and therapeutic intervention skills.
• A commitment to compassionate, evidence-based and recovery-focused care.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills.

Experience working in secondary care mental health services, older adult mental health, or with individuals presenting with complex and enduring difficulties would be advantageous.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 23.10.2026

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• MSc or Post graduate Diploma in CBT
• Accreditation with British Association of Cognitive & Behavioural Psychotherapy (BABCP).
• Demonstrable theoretical knowledge of mental health of models of psychopathology.
• Knowledge of application of psychological therapy with people with severe mental health difficulties.
• Specialist skills with working with people with mental health difficulties.
• An understanding of psychosocial issues that can impact on clients and how they may present. Additional knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health / benefits & employment systems.
• An understanding of the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Good record of Continuing Professional Development.
• Prior professional qualification, obtained in Health or Social Care that led to professional registration held with NMC, HCPC, SCW.
• Qualification in an additional psychological therapy or psychological intervention.
• Qualification in supervision
• Knowledge of Care Treatment Planning and WARRN / risk assessment & management.
• Knowledge of issues affecting people in later life and relevant legislation.

Experience

• Significant experience of working in mental health services across the spectrum of care
• Experience of working in secondary mental health services
• Significant experience working as a psychological therapy practitioner and demonstrating the competences as required.
• Experience of teaching and liaising with other professional groups
• Experience of delivering clinical supervision for CBT
• Experience of delivering teaching and training
• Experience of working with older adults.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Other

• Able to travel to locations throughout the health board in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to the needs of the service
• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Health Board Wise - location to be agreed with candidate

Health Board Wise - location to be agreed with candidate

£50,129 to £57,365 a yearper annum (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Part-time

Reference number

100-PST112-0926

Job locations

Health Board Wise - location to be agreed with candidate

Health Board Wise - location to be agreed with candidate