Trainee Psychological Therapist - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• 1. RMN, OT, SW, or equivalent professional qualification OR evidence of meeting prerequisite requirement for further post graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) by completion of a knowledge skills and attitudes portfolio (https://www.babcp.com/Accreditation/Core-Profession.aspx)
• 2. Evidence of continuing professional development
• 3. Post qualification experience in a mental health setting, working with young people or adults with mental illness.

The course you will be completing at the University of Reading as part of this role is a Level 2 accredited course with BABCP. This means that upon completion trainees will meet criteria to apply for provisional accreditation as a CBT therapist with the BABCP.

To apply, you must meet the criteria for CBT training and also have a BABCP-recognised professional background in mental health or related areas. This means having a recognised Core Profession. You can find out whether you have a recognised Core Profession here.

If you do not have a Core Profession, you must complete a portfolio of evidence to show that you have equivalent training and experience. This is known as the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes portfolio (KSA). If applying via the KSA route, you must have completed a self-statement for KSA criterion 4 before interview and, if successful at interview, will need to prepare the other required sections ahead of the start of the course (including obtaining references). Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.

If you have undertaken low-intensity CBT training (e.g., PWP, CWP or EMHP) you must have at least 2 years experience between the exam board of your previous training (not just coursework completion or a letter from the department) and the start date of any high-intensity training. This is nationally mandated and is there are no exceptions; you will be asked to evidence your exam board date (or date of graduation certificate if no evidence of exam board) prior to invite to interview.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.

If youre someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact: Rhona Edwards on 07890395552 or Rhona.Edwards@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Interviews will be held in two parts. A first interview with BHFT on 23rd and 24th September 2025 and a second stage with BHFT alongside the University of Reading on 30th September 2025.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• A recorded/registered qualification at graduate level and current accreditation in one of the core professions as defined BABCP: Mental health or learning disability nursing, psychiatry, social work, counselling, occupational therapy, arts therapy, psychotherapy, applied psychology, or psychological therapy. Please see the BABCP Website for more detail of the core professions list and required professional registration/accreditation.
• OR: Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP
• AND: Proven ability to complete full KSA portfolio prior to entry onto the programme
• Basic knowledge and experience of the relevant psychological practice acquired from an introductory program (e.g., a foundation course in CBT)
• OR: Having had introductory supervised practice experience of the relevant psychological modality

Desirable

• CBT or other relevant Certificate level training

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Commitment to ongoing professional development as recommended by the professional body specific to job title
• Evidence of specific training, experience and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to post

Previous Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or relevant social care provision
• Experience of working with a variety of client groups and presenting problems that reflect a range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
• Ability to manage competing demands and managing a caseload in a community mental health setting
• Demonstrable experience of working with safeguarding and risk management, within scope of practice
• Experience of delivering group interventions
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to service

Desirable

• Experience of working in a service where agreed /specified targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies in mental health care
• Received risk training (either formal or through experience) and ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessments within scope of practice
• Ability to use operational and clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• The ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team with service users and their families/carers, adapting your approach according to the individual needs of the service users
• Ability to use your own judgement and work independently within scope whilst having an ability to seek help, supervision and support when appropriate
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop therapeutic relationships with a range of people
• Ability to manage sensitive and difficult conversations, emotional distress and trauma with empathy, compassion, reassurance, resilience and sensitivity.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement, within scope of practice
• Ability to confidently cope well under pressure, resolve issues and competing demands, with excellent time management skills and an ability to respond constructively to challenge or resistance, applying practical problem-solving skills in everyday and complex situations.
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, One Consultation, and the internet).

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and completing this in the NHS

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to work flexibly around working patterns including evening and/or weekend shifts as required, and ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position.

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).