Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee High Intensity (CBT) Therapist
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Are you passionate about Mental Health? Would you like to work within a primary care setting in a friendly, dedicated team?
Dorset Steps2Wellbeing, a NHS Talking Therapies (NHS TT) service, are looking to recruit Trainee High Intensity (CBT) Therapists to support adults with common mental health problems. Successful candidates will undertake a 12 month training course at the University of Reading, learning to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Successful applicants will attend training with the University two days a week and apply their newly learnt skills to a caseload of patients three days a week (including an out of hours clinic).
The University provides a Level 2 accredited course with BABCP. Upon completion trainees will meet criteria to apply for provisional accreditation as a CBT therapist with the BABCP.
All our staff are expected to work flexibly, providing a combination of face to face and remote sessions. You will be required to attend 100% of training days with the University.
On successful completion of the course, trainees enter our preceptorship program receiving enhanced supervision, peer support meetings and triaged caseload, leading to a permanent band 7 post.
The course starts in February 2026. Posts are available in both Urban and Rural teams.
If you would like to find out more about the position, please contact:
Sabina Baig at sabina.baig@nhs.net
There are 2 routes to eligibility
ROUTE 1: You meet the criteria for CBT training, have a BABCP recognised core profession in mental health or related areas (See website for full list of accepted core professions; Core Professions (babcp.com)) AND have at least 2 years post qualification experience.
ROUTE 2: You do not have a core profession but you have 4 years relevant mental health experience and have completed a KSA portfolio which you are able to submit at point of interview (please refer to BABCP KSA guidance to find out if a full or partial KSA portfolio is required Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)).
If applying via route 2, prior to this interview you must have completed the self-statements for the KSA criterion relevant to you (see BABCP website for guidance and exemplars).
Please note that Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners cannot be recruited to this training post until they have at least two years post-qualification experience. If you have recently completed an NHS funded psychological professions course, you are not eligible for this training until 2 years after the date of your exam certification.
Please have your completed KSA ready at interview if taking the KSA route.
This post involves University study and full-time work. It is not suitable for applicants on student and graduate visas. If you have an alternative visa and wish to apply, please contact: dhc.internationalrecruitment@nhs.net prior to submitting your application.
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At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
For further details / informal visits contact:
- Name: Sabina Baig
- Job title: Service Manager, Weymouth and Portland Team
- Email address: sabina.baig@nhs.net
Job Overview
We are looking to recruit Trainee Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (High Intensity CBT Therapists) in Dorset within our Steps 2 Wellbeing service.
The successful candidates will undertake a 12-month training course at the University of Exeter. During this time, you will be trained to provide High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy within a stepped care model for adults with common mental health problems. You will be required to attend training at the University two days a week, with some additional block weeks each term, and to work with a caseload of patients within service three days a week. All staff will work as part of a team, receiving regular clinical supervision. Trainees can work flexibly; we offer a combination of face to face and remote work. You will be required to attend 100% of training days with the University.
We need candidates in post prior to the course starting on 4th January. There are also 2 university induction days taking place on 30th November and 1st December which you would need to attend in your own time prior to starting.
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Main Duties of the Job
Are you eligible to apply?
There are two routes to eligibility.
ROUTE 1: You will be qualified in a mental health profession as defined by the BABCP (e.g. social worker, occupational therapist, mental health nurse, etc. See website for full list of accepted core professions; Core Professions (babcp.com)) AND have at least 2 years post qualification experience.
ROUTE 2: You do not have a core profession but you have 4 years relevant mental health experience and have completed a KSA portfolio which you are able to submit at point of interview (please refer to BABCP KSA guidance to find out if a full or partial KSA portfolio is required Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)).
Please note that Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners cannot be recruited to HI training posts until they have at least two years of post-qualification experience.
Please also be aware that if you have recently completed an NHS funded psychological professions course, you will not be eligible to access this training until 2 years post qualification.
If applying via route 2 you will need to have your KSA completed and ready to submit at point of interview. All offers are conditional on completion of a KSA and this would need to be submitted following interview if offered a conditional place. For information on how to complete the KSA please visit the BABCP website.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service can present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
About Dorset Healthcare and Steps 2 Wellbeing
Dorset Steps 2 Wellbeing is divided into 7 locality based services as follows:
- North Dorset
- Dorchester and Bridport
- Weymouth and Portland
- Purbeck and East Dorset
- Poole
- Bournemouth East and Christchurch
- Bournemouth West
Posts will be offered within one of these services. In your application please ensure that you state your area of preference.
University of Exeter – contact hi-cbt@exeter.ac.uk
Step to Wellbeing (Rural/Urban Dorset) – Stuart Mead stuart.mead@nhs.net and Louise Walker-Weston Louise.Walker-Weston@nhs.net
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
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