Trainee High Intensity Therapist | West London NHS Trust

West London Mental Health Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Greater London seeks enthusiastic High Intensity Trainees for a full-time, fixed-term training position. Candidates must have a minimum of two years' experience as a PWP and be prepared to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy assessments and treatments for patients with depression and anxiety. This demanding role involves working with diverse communities and requires evening shifts to engage various groups effectively. Training will be provided, but dedication is essential.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have experience working in a mental health setting.
• Qualification as PWP for more than two years required by course start date.
• Desirable: accreditation from BPS or BABCP.

Responsibilities

• Provide CBT assessments and treatment for moderate to severe depression and anxiety.
• Work with diverse cultural backgrounds and ages using interpreters as needed.
• Provide consultation on clients’ care to non-professional colleagues.
• Work one evening shift a week for community engagement.
• Work autonomously within professional guidelines.
• Utilize research skills for audit and service development.

Skills

Experience in a mental health setting

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Research skills

Cultural competence

Education

Qualified as a PWP for more than two years

Desirable accreditation from BPS or BABCP

Job description

Job Type – Full time 37.5 hours, 5 days per week, fixed term training position for 1 year.

We are a well-established Talking Therapies Service looking for enthusiastic High Intensity Trainees to join our friendly team. This is an excellent, but demanding course and candidates are expected to complete all its requirements within 12 months of starting the training. The post involves providing psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions for people with common mental health problems.

Please note that we cannot accept applicants without the necessary experience of working in a mental health setting. Experience of working in primary mental health and especially NHS Talking Therapies is desirable.

In order to be considered from a PWP background, candidates must have been qualified as a PWP for more than two years by the course start date in order to meet national guidance. It is desirable for candidates from a PWP background to have accreditation from the BPS or BABCP.

Responsibilities

• This intensive training post will equip the post holder to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) assessments and NICE-recommended CBT treatment to people presenting with moderate to severe depression and anxiety for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. Appointments take place in person, via video, or via telephone.
• To work with people from different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary, being committed to equal opportunities.
• To provide advice and consultation on clients’ psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues and to other, non-professional carers.
• To work one evening shift a week (12-8pm) – as we are passionate about engaging all groups of our community, we operate evening clinics (up until 8pm) Monday - Thursday.
• To work autonomously within professional guidelines and within the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.
• To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research within the area served by the team/service.

Qualifications

• Experienced working in a mental health setting; preferred primary mental health and NHS Talking Therapies experience.
• Qualified as a PWP for more than two years (by start date).
• Desirable accreditation from BPS or BABCP.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

Please view the attached Candidate Pack for a detailed overview of tasks and responsibilities, and the person specification will be used to assess your application. The advert closes Saturday 20 Dec 2025.