Job requirements
Essential
23 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area
- Experience
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
- Experience
Ability to manage competing demands and managing a caseload in a setting relevant to the post and service area
- Experience
Demonstrable experience of working with safeguarding and risk management, within scope of practice
- Experience
Experience of delivering group interventions
- Experience
Experience of working with, and addressing issues of, diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access
- Additional Requirements
Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
- Additional Requirements
Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Demonstrable understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies in mental health care
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Evidence of risk training (either formal or through experience) and ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessments within scope of practice
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to use operational and clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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 user
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to use your own judgement and work independently within scope of practice, whilst having an ability to seek help, supervision and support, when appropriate
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop therapeutic relationships with a range of people
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to manage sensitive and difficult conversations, emotional distress and trauma with empathy, compassion, reassurance, resilience and sensitivity
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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 professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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)
- Education/Qualifications/Training
EITHER: Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by British Association or Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), (e.g. Practitioner Psychologist registered with HCPC, Registered Mental Health Nurse with NMC, Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC, or Social Worker registered with Social Work England). Please see the Core Professions List – BABCP website for more detail of the core professions list and required professional registration/accreditation. OR: A completed BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) portfolio (or proven ability to complete the full KSA portfolio prior to the start of the CBT training programme). In addition to: A post graduate qualification and current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP).
- Education/Qualifications/Training
Basic knowledge and experience of CBT acquired from an introductory program (e.g., a foundation course in CBT) OR Introductory supervised practice experience in CBT interventions
- Continuous Professional Development
Commitment to ongoing professional development as recommended by BABCP and other relevant professional bodies
- Continuous Professional Development
Evidence of specific training, experience and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to the post and service area
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of working in a service where agreed /specified targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and of completing this in the NHS
- Education/Qualifications/Training
CBT or other relevant Certificate level training
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for six Trainee Psychological (Cognitive-Behavioural) Therapists to join Berkshire CAMHS Getting Help Services through the NHS England-funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programme. One post is available in each Berkshire locality: West Berkshire (non-HCAS), Reading (HCAS), Wokingham (HCAS), Bracknell (HCAS), Windsor & Maidenhead (HCAS), and Slough (HCAS). Each position is a 12-month fixed term training post.
Successful candidates will deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to young people and families under supervision while completing a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT at the University of Reading. On successful completion, trainees will be eligible to apply for BABCP accreditation and qualified CBT Therapist roles.
Please also note that applicants who have completed previous Health Education England-funded training (e.g. CWP or EMHP training) are not eligible to undertake CBT training until two full years have passed since their previous training exam board date. Evidence of this will be required before interview.
Please only apply if you either hold a BABCP-recognised core profession with a minimum of two years’ post-qualifying experience, or have successfully completed an accredited low-intensity training programme, with your certificate dated no later than 31 January 2025.
Main duties of the job
- Clinical Assessments: Under supervision, work towards independently carrying out comprehensive psychological therapy assessments, utilising National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations.
- Treatment Planning: Under supervision, and in collaboration with service users and their families and carers, formulate personalised evidence-based CBT treatment plans, in line with level of completed training.
- Individual and Group Therapy: Under supervision, work towards independently conducting individual and/or group therapy sessions using CBT approaches, utilising and tailoring interventions to address a range of mental health concerns.
- Supervision and Training: Participate in a structured training programme, and actively participate in supervision sessions, to ensure high-quality clinical practice, incorporating feedback into clinical practice to improve effectiveness.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for this role:
- Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by BABCP OR post graduate qualification and current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) AND a completed BABCP KSA portfolio
- Ability to complete the academic components of the post-graduate training course and a commitment to the full training program and role
- A car driver with a full licence and access to a car for work purposes
- Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.
Please submit your application as soon as possible.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Trainee Psychological Therapist - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Wokingham, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Cognitive behavioural therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is 12 months (12 Month Fixed Term). The application deadline is 06 Oct 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (30 Sep 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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