Trainee Intensity Therapist

Trainee High Intensity Therapist

Closing date:
12 July 2026

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a centralised recruitment on behalf of all the services listed in the Services Description document.

Please note:

where relevant, a completed Knowledge Skills & Attitudes (KSA)
MUST be submitted no later than midnight on the day before interview to quoting your application  & job reference.

Important note:

if you have previously attracted NHS England (NHSE) funding for a PWP role there must be two years between the date of receiving the award from the PWP training and the commencement of the trainee HIT programme in January 2027.

Applications are invited from individuals who can demonstrate a high level of skill and substantial experience of working successfully with people experiencing common mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. You may already be working in an approved BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies core profession such as a nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, counsellor, or psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP).

Babcp Knowledge, Skills & Attitudes (KSA) - Information for 2026/27 HIT Trainee Applicants -

The role of High intensity therapist involves undertaking assessments and treating patients with depression and anxiety disorders.

You will see individuals face‑to‑face or remotely via video conference and provide treatment for adults from many different backgrounds, collaborating with a range of professionals in physical health, mental health and social care as well as with community organisations.

Once treatment begins, you'll meet with individuals regularly, usually weekly, to measure and review progress and tailor treatment accordingly.

This is a training role with a Talking Therapies service in Cheshire & Merseyside leading to a postgraduate diploma in High Intensity Psychological Interventions (HIPI) Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. Successful applicants will enrol with the University of Chester.

To work as a qualified therapist, you need to undertake training in cognitive behavioural therapy and during training you will be required to be a member of BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies).

Upon successful completion, you will be required to become accredited and maintain accreditation with BABCP.

You will work from your office base and may be based in a GP practice, healthcare centre or community venue such as a library or leisure centre. You may also work from a suitable remote location in some instances.

You will be provided with ongoing supervision to help you engage in self‑reflection, seek and respond to feedback, and develop your professional knowledge and skills.

The role of a High Intensity Therapist involves the delivery of high intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) whilst undertaking a programme of intensive training. The training will equip the postholder to provide CBT to clients with a range of common mental health difficulties for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.

You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work within a high volume, performance managed service, manage your own caseload and time and be an effective communicator.

We are looking for people with a commitment to deliver high quality evidence‑based assessments and interventions, a willingness to learn new skills and a desire to improve the health and well‑being of people with anxiety and/or depression disorders. Both trainee and qualified HITs play a critical role in helping shape the future direction of the Talking Therapies service.

Successful candidates will be motivated, resilient, efficient, empathic, supportive and will be required to have a good understanding of the needs of local populations and familiarise themselves with local knowledge of services. There will be extensive self‑directed study outside of the working hours.

Talking Therapies Liverpool (Central, North & South), Halton, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Warrington, Wirral, Cheshire West and Central Cheshire are services delivering…