Trainee High Intensity Therapist (CBT) Preston

Job summary

LSCFT NHS Talking Therapies 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 wellbeing 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. This fantastic opportunity is for existing mental health professionals to complete their training as High Intensity Therapists (HIT). The training will take place with the University of Cumbria and will be face-to-face teaching at their university campus in Lancaster. These are full-time roles and trainees will complete 2 days per week at university and 3 days seeing clients within their team locality (c12 clients per week); you will be completing University Assignments and submitting practical tapes for supervision. Client work will be mainly face-to-face sessions with some remote/video sessions.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking dynamic, hardworking and enthusiastic individuals who already have considerable experience and training providing psychological therapies and who are searching for the opportunity to train in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For example, you may already be working as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), mental health nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, counsellor, or a newly qualified psychologist with substantial clinical experience. The full list of acceptable core professions required to be eligible for this post can be found at Core Professions (babcp.com). Applicants applying through the KSA route can view the eligibility requirements via Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com). Experience working within a Talking Therapies service is desirable. If you would like the opportunity to bring your own creativity, flexibility and commitment to LSCFT NHS Talking Therapies and you have the appropriate experience as described above, we look forward to reading your application soon.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for dates across September, with the posts commencing in early January 2027.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details

Date posted: 25 August 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 351-CEN2650-LW

Job locations: West Strand House, Block C West Strand, Preston, PR1 8UY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

All applicants should refer to the person specification for further post requirements. Applicants who have a registered core profession will be considered for shortlisting along with those who are currently a PWP with two years post qualification experience and have a completed KSA portfolio to submit to the university as part of the application process, * KSA needs to be submitted to the university before a firm offer can be made. Please ensure that you specify how you meet the core profession or KSA route within the additional information section along with confirmation that your KSA will be completed and ready for submission to the university on offer of post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy. The full list of accepted core professions can be found at BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > Accreditation > Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Accreditation > Core Professions > Core Professions list and criteria
• Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitudes

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication

Skills

Essential

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

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: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address: West Strand House, Block C West Strand, Preston, PR1 8UY, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead for CBT, Stephanie Mokler, stephanie.mokler@lscft.nhs.uk