Trainee High Intensity Therapist University

Trainee High Intensity Therapist
- Coventry University

Are you an experienced mental health professional or social care worker with a recognised professional qualification working in a mental health setting? Do you meet the KSA requirements as set out by the BABCP? Have you considered training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and getting paid to do it?

If so, our Trainee High Intensity Therapist programme could be the role for you!

Hello! We are Vita Health Group – we are one of the lead providers of Talking Therapies services within the North East, Midlands, South East and South West. We are super proud of the work we do at Step 3 and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!

We really do practice what we preach here at Vita, with a company-wide focus on staff wellbeing, a flexible and creative approach to work and a real culture of openness and support. We love to see our colleagues thrive and achieve their personal goals, so we place a real emphasis on quality supervision, rich CPD and encouraging our CBT Therapists to embrace specialist training and leadership opportunities.

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the January 2027 cohort at Coventry University.

The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For further information on the course please visit:

Please note these are fixed term positions for the duration of the course.

After completing the training and becoming a qualified HIT, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent HIT post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service.

A typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service and 2 days versity days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching. Whilst your clinical practice is likely to include some remote working, you will be required to attend one of the service area offices for part of the week.

You will provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders.

During your training you will receive weekly supervision by both the workplace and the University.

The Trainee position is aimed at mental health professionals who have some experience in CBT and who continue to work in a mental health environment.

Applications are invited from qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychological Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and PWPs (with two years post qualification experience).

Applicants without recognised and accredited core mental health professional training (such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors without UKCP or BACP accreditation) are eligible to apply but must be able to complete a KSA portfolio.

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or ability to study at third year undergraduate degree level).
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required - teaching will be a mixture of face to face and remote.
• Experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
• Experience of working in Primary Care/IAPT services.
• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.

• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend online academic screening interviews for the university on 23rd September 2026.
• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend online interviews held on 15th October 2026.
• All…