Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help people to manage problems by changing the way they think and behave. CBT is based on the concept that thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a negative cycle.

We work with people to support them to change these negative patterns to improve the way they feel.

The services we work in and what we earn

In NHS Talking Therapies, we work with adults of all ages. Some services also offer support for 16 and 17 year olds
We work in clinics, community settings, and remotely
In Talking Therapies, CBT mainly treats people with symptoms of depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder
We receive additional training to support people with long term health conditions as well as mental health difficulties

Trainee therapists usually start at band 6 in the NHS, and earn £39,959 to £48,117 per year, progressing to band 7 once qualified. This applies to NHS funded training roles

Qualified therapists usually hold a band 7 position in the NHS, who earn £49,387 to £56,515 per year

Cognitive Behavioural Therapists are great at:

Working collaboratively with people
Caring for and empathising with others
Active listening
Problem solving
Motivating and encouraging others towards achieving their goals

How to get started

To work as a CBT therapist in the NHS, you must have completed a CBT postgraduate training course. This is often done via an NHS funded course, where you work as a trainee CBT therapist within the NHS and attend university.

Alternatively, you can complete a self-funded course, providing it is recognised as accredited or accreditable by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) which is the CBT accreditation body.

There are two main routes into NHS funded trainee CBT positions:

An undergraduate degree or equivalent, ideally in a discipline connected to mental health, then a minimum of two years working as a qualified psychological wellbeing practitioner (or equivalent). Your knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired from this experience will then need to be demonstrated by completing the BABCP Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Portfolio before enrolling onto a CBT postgraduate training course. You would need to then successfully complete a CBT postgraduate training course.
Having a minimum of two years post-qualified experience in what is recognised as a core profession by the BABCP, such as mental health nursing or social work, and associated registration, then completing a CBT postgraduate training course. Once qualified, CBT therapists will work towards achieving BABCP accreditation.