Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

The closing date is 14 September 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about delivering CBT and looking for a new opportunity?

NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (previously IAPT) are seeking a skilled and motivated High Intensity CBT Therapist to join our Taunton and South Somerset teams. This hybrid role involves providing CBT both face to face in person and remotely via video consultation, ensuring flexible and accessible support for our patients.

We are a busy, high-performing Talking Therapies service based in one of England's most desirable counties. Alongside CBT, we deliver a wide range of step 3 interventions (IPT, DIT, PCE, EMDR, MBCT) and step 2 treatments including guided self-help, groups, webinars and digital self-help tools. We consistently achieve recovery rates above the national target and pride ourselves on our innovative model of care, where there is no waiting list for step 2 interventions and a clear, effective pathway for step 3 treatments.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to adults with depression and anxiety in line with NHS Talking Therapies standards.

  • Deliver therapy both in person across Somerset and remotely via video consultation.

  • Manage a clinical caseload of up to 25 contacts per week.

  • Undertake clinical assessments and triage, allocating patients appropriately within the stepped care model.

  • Maintain accurate and timely clinical records on the service database (IAPTus).

  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across NHS and voluntary sector services to ensure high-quality, joined-up care.

  • Participate in clinical governance, service audits and user feedback processes.

  • With experience, provide clinical supervision, line management and deputise for the Team Leader as required.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2942

Job locations

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA


Parkgate House

East Reach

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 3ES


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a High Intensity CBT Therapist within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, you will:

  • Accept referrals via agreed service protocols, conducting thorough psychological assessments and formulating individualised treatment plans.

  • Implement and evaluate CBT interventions with individuals and groups, drawing on a range of evidence-based approaches.

  • Provide therapy to clients from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds, using interpreters where appropriate.

  • Integrate employment and social issues into the therapy process, liaising with employment advisers to support patients.

  • Contribute to the training, supervision and professional development of colleagues, supporting the wider growth of the service.

  • Keep up to date with developments in CBT and NHS Talking Therapies through CPD, supervision and professional accreditation (BABCP).

  • Support service development projects and contribute to clinical leadership initiatives as the programme continues to expand across Somerset.

  • Work flexibly in line with patient and service need - this includes hybrid working, with a balance of remote delivery and in-person clinics from our bases in Bridgwater, Chard, Taunton and Wells.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a High Intensity CBT Therapist within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, you will:

  • Accept referrals via agreed service protocols, conducting thorough psychological assessments and formulating individualised treatment plans.

  • Implement and evaluate CBT interventions with individuals and groups, drawing on a range of evidence-based approaches.

  • Provide therapy to clients from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds, using interpreters where appropriate.

  • Integrate employment and social issues into the therapy process, liaising with employment advisers to support patients.

  • Contribute to the training, supervision and professional development of colleagues, supporting the wider growth of the service.

  • Keep up to date with developments in CBT and NHS Talking Therapies through CPD, supervision and professional accreditation (BABCP).

  • Support service development projects and contribute to clinical leadership initiatives as the programme continues to expand across Somerset.

  • Work flexibly in line with patient and service need - this includes hybrid working, with a balance of remote delivery and in-person clinics from our bases in Bridgwater, Chard, Taunton and Wells.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BABCP Accreditation as a CBT Therapist ORIf due to qualify shortly or recently qualified fully committed to achieving BABCP accreditation as soon as possible.Accredited NHS Talking Therapies CBT training and individual BABCP accreditation as a CBT Therapist ORIndividual BABCP accreditation as a CBT Therapist alone achieved through training and experience with adults with anxiety and depression.Trained / qualified in a recognised model of supervision or willingness to undertake this

Desirable

  • Undertaken post-qualification further training in a specialised area of psychological practice e.g. IPT, DIT, DBT, MINDFULNESS, systemic/family work etc.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in a mental healthcare settingExperience of implementing service policies and procedures within an NHS Talking Therapies service

Desirable

  • Clinical Leadership/Management experience

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BABCP Accreditation as a CBT Therapist ORIf due to qualify shortly or recently qualified fully committed to achieving BABCP accreditation as soon as possible.Accredited NHS Talking Therapies CBT training and individual BABCP accreditation as a CBT Therapist ORIndividual BABCP accreditation as a CBT Therapist alone achieved through training and experience with adults with anxiety and depression.Trained / qualified in a recognised model of supervision or willingness to undertake this

Desirable

  • Undertaken post-qualification further training in a specialised area of psychological practice e.g. IPT, DIT, DBT, MINDFULNESS, systemic/family work etc.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in a mental healthcare settingExperience of implementing service policies and procedures within an NHS Talking Therapies service

Desirable

  • Clinical Leadership/Management experience

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Rayn SMith

rayn.smith@somersetft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2942

Job locations

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA


Parkgate House

East Reach

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 3ES


Supporting documents

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