At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver evidence-based psychological therapies for anxiety and depression while gaining hands-on experience.
- Company: Join the South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, a leader in mental health services.
- Benefits: Fully funded training, competitive salary, and valuable work experience in the NHS.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career advancement in mental health.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with psychological or social issues and a willingness to study at postgraduate level.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 30000 £ per year.
Role Overview
A vacancy at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. Psychological therapies services across London are recruiting trainee PWPs as part of the NHS Talking Therapies programme to deliver evidence-based psychological therapies for people with anxiety and depression. PWPs provide brief structured supported treatments such as guided self-help.
Training and Placement
PWP training is provided by University College London (UCL) and is full-time. Trainees attend university one day a week and work in service the remaining four days a week. Trainees will be employed in an NHS Talking Therapies psychological treatment service. Training course fees on this programme are fully funded by the NHS. In addition, trainees will receive a salary from the London NHS Talking Therapies service where they undertake their four-day a week placement over the year of the programme. In previous years, this has been a full-time employed position at NHS band 4. This programme is an NHS-funded psychological professions training programme. It is a course condition that all students remain employed by an NHS Talking Therapies employer for the duration of the programme.
Scope and Responsibilities
PWPs work with people across the adult age range. The post holder will be expected to work at least one late evening during the working week and will deliver evidence-based psychological interventions in line with NICE guidance. The service offers out-of-hour appointments to improve access.
Qualifications
- Experience of working with people with psychological, interpersonal or social problems, either through employed positions or formal volunteer roles.
- Demonstrated aptitude to study at postgraduate level, either through degree-level education or demonstration of academic equivalence.
Service Context
Merton Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service forms part of Merton Uplift. Merton Uplift is a primary mental health service, which incorporates a Wellbeing Service, the Merton IAPT service and a Primary Care Recovery Support Team. The Merton IAPT service delivers a range of evidence-based psychological interventions (CBT, IPT, EMDR, BCT) to people with common mental health problems (depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders) within a stepped-care model. The clinical team includes qualified Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, IAPT High-Intensity CBT Practitioners and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
Recruitment Process
As part of the application process trainees will be required to nominate two London NHS Talking Therapies services as their preference for training. All details about the application process are set out in the recruitment pack. Recruitment is via the UCL website only. Please do not apply via the NHS jobs website. Recruitment opens at 10am on Thursday 23rd April and closes at 10am on Monday 11th May. This is for intakes that will start at the beginning of October 2026. Recruitment for the February 2027 intakes will open to accept applications early September 2026 via the same portal/process.
For more information about the course see:
Deadline: This advert closes on Sunday 10 May 2026.
Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in London employer: South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust
Contact Detail:
South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the NHS Talking Therapies services in London. Research their values and what they offer, so you can tailor your approach when you apply. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current PWPs or professionals in the field on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a trainee position. We all love a good chat!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you feel more confident. Focus on how your past experiences relate to the role of a PWP and be ready to discuss evidence-based therapies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through the UCL website! It's the only way to get your application in for this programme. Make sure you follow all the instructions carefully to avoid any hiccups in the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. We want to see that you understand the role of a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and how your experience aligns with it.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their applications to highlight relevant experiences and skills. Show us how your background fits the role and why you're passionate about working in mental health.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the application process is only through the UCL website, so don’t get sidetracked by other platforms. We want to see your application come through the right channel, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role of a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and the specific therapies mentioned in the job description, like CBT and IPT. Brush up on NICE guidelines too, as they’ll likely come up during your interview.
✨Show Your Experience
Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have working with people facing psychological or social challenges. Whether it’s through paid work or volunteering, share specific examples that highlight your skills and empathy.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the training programme and the IAPT service. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Consider doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview, making a great impression on the panel.