Cognitive behavioural therapist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or by applying directly.

University

You'll usually need an accredited postgraduate course in cognitive behavioural therapy and experience of working in mental health.

To do a postgraduate course, you'll usually need a degree in a health and social care subject like:

• mental health nursing
• social work
• counselling
• art therapy
• psychology

You might be able to get onto a postgraduate course without a degree if you have the knowledge, skills and attitudes required by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) .

Entry requirements:

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get experience of working in mental health.

You could:

• volunteer at a mental health charity like Mind ,Rethink Mental Illness orTurning Point
• find volunteering opportunities though The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT
• get advice about volunteering in the NHS

DirectApplication

If you're already a qualified healthcare professional, you might be able to do cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) training with the NHS.

You could apply for roles like trainee psychological wellbeing practitioner or high intensity therapist .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• active listening skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• customer service skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Cognitive behavioural therapists help patients change negative patterns of thinking or behaviour with talking therapy.

You could work with individuals or groups to:

• assess if a client will benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy
• discuss therapy plans, build trust and teach skills and techniques
• focus on what a client wants to change and encourage them to talk
• give advice to other health professionals and talk to family members
• keep records and follow data protection and confidentiality rules

Location : You could work at a health centre, in an NHS or private hospital, in the community, in a prison or in a therapy clinic.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £35,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• supervise other cognitive behavioural therapists
• work as an independent practitioner and set up your own practice to see clients privately
• specialise in teaching or research for a healthcare trust, college or university