Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

NHS; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is looking for a Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. The successful candidate will provide CBT interventions while engaging in a training program with the University of Cumbria. Ideal for individuals with a graduate level qualification in related fields, who have a passion for mental health and can meet specified targets. The position offers continuous professional development and a supportive training environment.

Benefits

Ongoing learning opportunities

Funded continuing professional development

Specialized clinical training

Qualifications

• Graduate level qualification in a related field.
• Demonstrable experience in mental health services.
• Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.

Responsibilities

• Provide high intensity CBT interventions while undergoing training.
• Assess clients for suitability for psychological interventions.
• Formulate and implement therapy programmes for clients.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to manage own caseload and time

Ability to establish therapeutic relationships

Fluent in languages other than English

Ability to evaluate training effects

Education

Recorded/registered qualification in nursing, social care, occupational therapy, arts therapy or psychological therapy

Meet Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP

Job description

Go back Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

The closing date is 05 November 2025

Please be aware the successful applicants will be required to sign a learning contract on taking up the position which outlines that repayment of a percentage of costs incurred by the employer during the training period will be paid back if you leave the position within 24 months of qualifying.

An exciting opportunity has arisen with Blackpool Talking Therapies. We require flexible and highly motivated individuals to undertake a Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) role.

The successful candidates will work within the service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. The training will include undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma delivered by the University of Cumbria. This training post will equip the post-holder to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.

Candidates should have a recorded/registered qualification at graduate level in nursing, social care, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy or provide evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP at interview. The successful candidates will need to be well organised, hardworking and demonstrate the ability to cope with a demanding job and have the ability to meet specified targets in order to deliver a high quality service.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide high intensity CBT interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training at the University of Cumbria. This will involve attending the university programme, completing all associated academic requirements, engaging in regular clinical supervision, and undertaking CBT appointments with clients face to face, via telephone, or video link.

The post-holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.

About us

At Blackpool Teaching Hospital we offer training and induction to all staff members new to the Trust. We encourage ongoing learning through funded continuing professional development and specialised clinical training. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals recognise that our focus needs to be on retention, rewarding, and recognising staff through initiatives such as Christmas Sparkle, national appreciation days, and peer recognition cards.

Job responsibilities

We receive self‑referrals and offer Talking Therapies interventions and psychological therapies across steps 2 and 3, and have developed pathways with physical health services in line with the National Talking Therapies Long Term Conditions programme, in order to expand and increase the offer of psychological therapies to the Blackpool population. There is an expectation that on qualifying as a CBT therapist the Long Term condition training will be undertaken.

Successful Candidate will:

• Undertake High Intensity CBT training course and complete all academic requirements of the training.
• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
• Assess clients for suitability for psychological interventions.
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department's referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients back to the referral agent as necessary.
• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.
• Use highly developed communication skills in working with people to understand their personal and often very sensitive difficulties.
• Attend regular Clinical Supervision.
• Exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients in line with the service.
• Undertake risk assessments with clients and respond in line with service policies and procedures.
• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT and other psychological formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.
• Keep coherent detailed records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.
• Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step‑up and step‑down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
• Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
• Participate in the planning and facilitation of groups as and when required by the service.

Interviews will take place on 13th and 14th November face to face. Alternative interview dates are not available. We are unable to offer a remote interview.

If appointed you must be able to take up post on Monday 5th January as this is the date the associated training commences.

Person Specification

Qualification

• A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social care, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy.
• Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP.
• Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services.
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.
• Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
• Experience of working in Primary Care Services.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to write clear reports and letters to other professionals.
• Ability to demonstrate good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Demonstrate ability to complete academic requirements of the role.
• Ability to use clinical supervision effectively to support reflective practice.

Knowledge

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health problems.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Car Driver.

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.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Various Community Bases

South Shore Primary Care Centre, Lytham Road