Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Job Summary
Are you an individual with experience in psychological therapy and mental health?
Are you seeking a progressive, challenging role providing support to a range of individuals?
The NHS Talking Therapies programme is driving forward the expansion of its delivery of psychological interventions. This is an excellent opportunity to join a large and innovative NHS Foundation trust in which NHS Oxford Talking Therapies has a strong track record for supporting the development of psychological therapy services.

The Trainee High-Intensity Therapist will be a core member of the Service, undertaking training to provide high-intensity interventions - initially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), whilst working in a training role working with clients who have a range of anxiety and depression-related problems.

We are looking for people who have the enthusiasm and skills to join our service and who are committed to making a difference within primary care and the wider community, and who will support a developing workforce and service delivery model in primary care.

Main duties of the job

The post involves providing psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions for people with common mental health problems and people living with long term physical health conditions (on the telephone and in an individual and group setting). Some of your role can be provided from home and you will also work out of TalkingSpace Plus venues within Oxfordshire.

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Assess clients for suitability for CBT or refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.
• To evaluate and make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent asnecessary.
• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.
• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.

About Us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:
"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:
"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

28 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum | pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7546237

Job locations

The Slade, Abell House

Horspath Driftway

Oxford

OX3 7JH

Job Description
Job responsibilities

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the job description.

All successful candidates will undertake an intensive one-year Post-Graduate Diploma IAPT: High-Intensity Psychological Therapies at the University of Reading (please visit the University of Reading website for further information on course registration requirements). Post-holders must be able to attend all university training as required. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of high-intensity CBT clinical practice per week working within the service. You will also receive clinical supervision from the University and TalkingSpace Plus from BABCP accredited supervisors.

After completion of the PG diploma in CBT course, you will then have an opportunity to develop your CBT skills further by delivering CBT groups, offering consultations to other staff and starting training in working with patients with Long term physical health conditions. Post holders will then progress to a band 7 position, typically within 6 months of completion of the course at the University of Reading.

Job Description
Job responsibilities

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the job description.

All successful candidates will undertake an intensive one-year Post-Graduate Diploma IAPT: High-Intensity Psychological Therapies at the University of Reading (please visit the University of Reading website for further information on course registration requirements). Post-holders must be able to attend all university training as required. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of high-intensity CBT clinical practice per week working within the service. You will also receive clinical supervision from the University and TalkingSpace Plus from BABCP accredited supervisors.

After completion of the PG diploma in CBT course, you will then have an opportunity to develop your CBT skills further by delivering CBT groups, offering consultations to other staff and starting training in working with patients with Long term physical health conditions. Post holders will then progress to a band 7 position, typically within 6 months of completion of the course at the University of Reading.

Person Specification

Knowledge requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Qualifications
Essential

• A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy.
• Evidence using the career framework of training in mental health and experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression

Experience
Essential

• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
• Demonstrable experience of delivering CBT based interventions under supervision

Desirable

• Experience of working in Primary Care Services

Skills
Essential

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Computer literate
• Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

Essential
Contract/other requirements

• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Able to attend other Trust and community premises for work and training purposes

Person Specification

Knowledge requirements

Essential

• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Able to attend other Trust and community premises for work and training purposes

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Slade, Abell House

Horspath Driftway

Oxford

OX3 7JH

Employer's website

(Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Slade, Abell House

Horspath Driftway

Oxford

OX3 7JH

Employer's website

(Opens in a new tab)