Cognitive behavioural therapist jobs

Cognitive behavioral therapists (CBT) are educated to examine and help children, adolescents, and adults struggling with common mental health issues as well as severe mental health issues.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (often known simply as CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that focuses on assisting patients in better coping with the challenges they face by modifying the ways in which they think about and approach those challenges.

Although it is most often used to treat anxiety and depression, it is also effective in treating other mental health conditions, such as psychosis, as well as physical health conditions, such as persistent pain.

a day at the office

You will work with adults who come from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds, children and their parents or other caregivers, or both in your role as a cognitive behavioral therapist. The majority of interventions are carried out on a one-to-one basis, while some of them may also be carried out in groups.

Where will I get employment?

Cognitive behavioral therapists are employed in a wide variety of mental health settings, such as adult improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) services, NHS services for people with severe mental health problems, NHS children's and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), and third sector organizations commissioned by the NHS. These therapists are responsible for assisting patients in overcoming a wide range of mental health issues. The provision of services may take place in general practitioner (GP) offices, healthcare centers, or other community settings.

Who will I be collaborating with?

You will collaborate with other professionals in your line of work as a cognitive behavioral therapist, including psychological wellness practitioners (PWPs), clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, and psychiatrists, among others. Your position may need you to interact closely with other healthcare professionals, employment and education counsellors, and support workers in order to manage referrals and signposting to other agencies. If this is the case, one of your primary responsibilities will be to manage these processes.

Entry requirements

People with a wide variety of backgrounds and levels of expertise are welcome to participate in the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) course. If you want to pursue the postgraduate diploma, you will typically need to hold a degree in order to do so; however, if you can show academic abilities that are equal, you may be able to get admission to the course.

A core mental health profession is required of you, or you must be able to show that you have received training that is equivalent to core mental health professional training. You may get more information on the core profession or similar knowledge, abilities, and attitudes by visiting the website of the BABCP.

The course is designed for mental health professionals (or those with the comparable knowledge, skills, and attitudes) who have worked in a setting related to mental health and have at least some prior experience. Applicants are expected to provide evidence of their ability to interact with others and to exhibit a willingness to acquire new information and abilities.

Training and professional advancement

To become a cognitive behavioral therapist, you may be trained in a number of different methods, many of which are supported by the national government.

In order to be eligible for employment as an IAPT cognitive behavioral therapist, you will often be required to finish a high intensity IAPT postgraduate diploma training course.

In most cases, you will be required to earn a postgraduate diploma in cognitive behavioral therapy for people with severe mental health issues, such as psychosis or bipolar disorder, a diagnosis of personality disorder, or eating disorders, before you can work as a cognitive behavioral therapist with adults who have severe mental health issues.

In most cases, you will be required to get a postgraduate diploma in the field of children and young people in order to qualify for a position as a cognitive behavioral therapist working with children and young people. You may also become a CBT therapist by obtaining an equivalent certification via some other kind of training or experience. This option is also open to you.

There is a wide variety of colleges and other training providers that provide training courses; hence, course names might differ. They normally consist of around 60 days of instruction spread out over the course of a year's worth of academic work. You will be working for a local NHS commissioned service while you are doing your training.