Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Training

The programme is dedicated to developing talent. We support individuals to learn core therapeutic skills and competencies in Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for common mental health problems.

Trainee PWPs benefit from direct, practical experience with clinical placements in NHS Talking Therapies services.

Delivered by a committed team of Clinical Educators with a wealth of experience in NHS Talking Therapies settings and beyond.

Upon successful completion, trainees will be able to work as qualified PWPs within NHS Talking Therapies services across England, and eligible to apply for registration with the BPS and/or the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP).

The British Psychological Society 

PWPs are specially trained to work with individuals with common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety disorders.

They complete patient-centred assessments to establish individual therapeutic needs and deliver a range of interventions informed by CBT.

Patients are supported with guided self-help, whereby they are supported by the PWP to learn the techniques necessary to overcome their difficulties.

PWPs are trained to work with clients via numerous modalities, including face-to-face, over the telephone, via videocall, online and in groups.

PWPs work collaboratively with a number of professionals, including psychologists, GPs, employment advisors, community organisations and those in social care.

The course runs for one calendar year. It focuses on developing Trainee PWPs’ skills in conducting patient-centred mental health assessments, delivering LICBT interventions, interpersonal therapeutic techniques and inclusive practice with diverse populations.
As such, there are three modules within the course, informed by the PWP national curriculum:

• Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems
• Evidence-Based Low Intensity Treatment for Common Mental Health Problems
• Values, Diversity and Context

Teaching is delivered by our team of Clinical Educators who collectively have a wealth of experience in psychological therapy. We are pleased to host Guest Lecturers throughout the year who offer expertise on a variety of subjects in the context of PWP training, such as:

Computerised CBT – delivered by a representative of SilverCloud, a leading online CBT provider
Older Adults – delivered by a Clinical Psychologist and contributor to NHS Talking Therapies’ Older People Positive Practice Guide
Disability and Long Term Conditions – delivered by a Clinical Psychologist with lived experience

The course has a blended learning format, consisting of:
Teaching days
There are 30 teaching days across the academic year (typically 2-3 per week during term-time)
During teaching days, trainees can expect PowerPoint lectures incorporating group activities, roleplays, Q&A sessions and quizzes

Directed learning days

There are 15 days of directed learning

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis upon trainees to be independent learners, and directed learning days give trainees an opportunity to embed their practice within the community and use Self-Practice, Self-Reflection

Clinical practice

Trainee PWPs will be working within an NHS Talking Therapies service typically 2-3 days per week (during term-time)

Here, they will be offered regular case management and clinical skills supervision by qualified NHS Talking Therapies staff, as well as real clinical experience engaging with NHS patients

Clinical learning is evidenced through submission of a clinical practice portfolio
Learning is evidenced via examinations, written assignments and portfolios, a presentation and observed practice on the programme and in the workplace.

We pride ourselves on training and supporting applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. Whether or not you have gone to university before, whether you have formally studied psychology or mental health, or perhaps you have come from a different professional background within mental health, we welcome you to apply to our course.

Routes to entry
Although every successful candidate comes away with the same qualification, the way their learning journey is assessed is slightly different depending on their prior experience and qualifications.
We offer two routes of entry:

• Graduate Certificate (H level 6)
• Two or more Advanced Level GCEs or equivalent (for example, BTEC); GNVQ or NVQ at levels 3 or 4Postgraduate Certificate (M level 7)
• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification (for example, as a registered nurse or allied health professional)
• In either case, if your first language is not English (or your first degree was not taught in English), the minimum requirements for TOEFL/IELTS are:
  100 for internet-based TOEFL with no less than 23 in any band
• 600 for paper-based TOEFL (TWE4)
• 7.0 for IELTS with no less than 6.5 in any band
• Clinical experience

You will need clinical experience in the field of mental health, working with people experiencing common mental health issues, which can be a minimum of either:

• Twelve months direct clinical experience in a one-to-one or group setting
• OR 2 years part-time voluntary experience with an established charity (for example, Mind or Samaritans) who will provide you with direct clinical experiences.

There are no programme costs for Trainee PWPs. Instead, trainees can expect to earn Band 4 NHS pay via Health Education England funding provided to NHS and NHS-commissioned services.

Our application process consists of four stages: (1) application to a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner post on NHS Jobs, (2) nomination for training from the employer to the course team, (3) invitation to interview, and (4) offer of place.

Applications for cohorts beginning in May 2024:

1. Applications to be received September 2023
2. Nominations to be submitted September 2023
3. Academic assessment November 2023
4. Interviews will be held late November/early December
5. The course will run from March 2024 to March 2025.

Our course completers have excellent employment prospects, with the majority moving into clinical practice as qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners. This is a versatile and dynamic role that balances high-volume therapeutic work with the highest standards of evidence-based treatment, as outlined by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Once qualified, there are a variety of opportunities to progress to Senior or Lead Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner posts (providing leadership and supervision to a team of practitioners), Specialist Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner posts (with expertise in particular populations such as neurodiversity, older adults, or long-term health conditions), and other therapeutic or managerial roles.

Delegates from recent cohorts reported their upcoming employment as follows:

We provide Continuing Professional Development that is open to all.
Please contact us for any bespoke training that would benefit your teams: PGCertLIPI-CPDprog@bsmhft.nhs.uk

Our previous CPD days have spanned topics as broad as:

• Health Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Long Term Conditions
• Behavioural Experiments
• Tree of Life
• Reflective Practice
• Mindfulness
• Supervision
• Self-compassion
• Self-esteem
• Dementia awareness
• Diagnosis and collaborative decisions
• Effective communication in the NHS
• Diversity
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Use
• Bipolar Disorder
• Older Adults