Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Nottingham

Vita Health Group Limited; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Vita Health Group in Nottingham is recruiting for a Trainee High Intensity Therapist to join the Nottingham Talking Therapies service. The role leads to qualification via a one-year, full-time PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy starting 1 March 2027, with induction at Vita Health Group and at the University of Lincoln.

Typical week: 3 days in clinical practice (Wed–Fri) and 2 days at university (Mon–Tue), with hybrid learning and some remote work.

Qualifications

• KSA requirements set by BABCP and CBT training pathway.
• Two years post-qualification experience in mental health.
• Eligible to study for PGDip CBT starting March 2027.
• Willingness to travel and DBS check.

Responsibilities

• Provide High Intensity CBT interventions as recommended by NICE.
• Receive weekly supervision from both university and workplace.
• Attend hybrid training with university and service (face-to-face and remote).
• Work a 3-day clinical, 2-day university schedule each week.
• Fixed-term role for 12 months with potential for a permanent post.

Skills

CBT knowledge

Clinical experience

Professional conduct

Education

Undergraduate degree in mental health

BABCP registration preferred

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Nottingham

Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Nottingham

Job Reference vitahealth/TP/12448/4237

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed Term

N/A

£39,227 per annum

Working Hours:

37.5 hour per week

Location:

Nottingham

Closing Date:

29/10/2026

Job Category:

Clinical

Region / Division:

Nottingham

The Role: What you will do?

Are you an experienced mental health professional or social care worker with a recognised professional qualification working in a mental health setting? Do you meet the KSA requirements as set out by the BABCP? Have you considered training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and getting paid to do it?

If so, our Trainee High Intensity Therapist programme could be the role for you!

Getting to know Us:

Hello! We are Vita Health Group – we are one of the lead providers of Talking Therapies services within the North East, Midlands, South East and South West. We are super proud of the work we do at Step 3 and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!

We really do practice what we preach here at Vita, with a company-wide focus on staff wellbeing, a flexible and creative approach to work and a real culture of openness and support. We love to see our colleagues thrive and achieve their personal goals, so we place a real emphasis on quality supervision, rich CPD and encouraging our CBT Therapists to embrace specialist training and leadership opportunities.

The Role:

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our Nottingham Talking Therapies service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March cohort at the University of Lincoln. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

This is a one year role with a start date of 1st March 2027 for induction with Vita Health Group and 3rd March 2027 for induction at the University of Lincoln. Teaching will begin on Monday 8th March.

A typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service (Wednesday - Friday) and 2 days at University (Monday and Tuesday). University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching. Whilst your clinical practice is likely to include some remote working, you will be required to attend one of the service area offices for part of the week. You will be expected to work one late shift per week from 12:00pm-8:00pm.

You will provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders and will receive weekly supervision provided by both the university and the workplace.

This is a fixed term role for 12 months.

After completing the training and becoming a qualified HIT, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service.

How we support you:
Close liaison with the University and the workplace
During your training you will receive weekly supervision by both the workplace and by the University.

Getting to know You:
The Trainee position is aimed at mental health professionals who have some experience in CBT and who continue to work in a mental health environment.

Applications are invited from qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychological Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and PWPs (with two years post qualification experience).

Applicants without recognised and accredited core mental health professional training (such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors without UKCP or BACP accreditation) are eligible to apply but must be able to complete a KSA portfolio by interview date.

For more information about Core Professions:

For more information about the KSA requirements:

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or ability to study at third year undergraduate degree level).
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required – teaching will be a mixture of face to face and remote.
• At least two years experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
• Experience of working in Primary Care/Talking Therapies services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.
• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held on either 9th, 16th, 21st or 22nd December 2026. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 1st March 2027. Following this, the first day of induction with the University of Lincoln will be on 3rd March 2027 followed by teaching beginning 8th March 2027. All essential equipment will be provided.
• For those successful candidates completing a KSA, you will need to have these fully completed by 11th January 2027. For further information on how to complete the KSA please review the attached guidance document. The University of Lincoln will also be offering a free KSA workshop for any KSA applicants that wish to attend. Further details will be made available soon.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
• Applicants who have completed an NHS or HEE funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
• Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS.

About Us

As part of Spire Healthcare, we’re proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics.

Working here

We are an award-winning employer regularly recognised at industry events and our latest employee survey revealed the top reasons for working here as:

• Supportive teams and managers
• A positive and inclusive culture
• Strong well-being and mental health support
• Trust, autonomy and flexibility

We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package – further details here Careers - Vita Health Group

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:

• Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.

Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.

We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.