Trainee High Intensity Therapist - University of Nottingham

Trainee High Intensity Therapist - University of Nottingham

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!

Getting to know Us:

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.

The Role:

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies Service, NHS Nottinghamshire service or our NHS Derby & Derbyshire Talking Therapies Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the September 2026 cohort at the University of Nottingham.

The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For further information on the course please visit: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc#overview

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 at University. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of face to face teaching on Wednesdays and remote learning on Thursdays. 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. Depending on where you are based, you may be expected to work one late shift per week from 12:00pm-8:00pm.

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.

Getting to know You:
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 by 31st August 2026.

For more information about Core Professions:

https://www.babcp.com/Core-Professions

For more information about the KSA requirements:

https://www.babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes

Essential Requirements:

• 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.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.

Desirable Requirements:

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

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held as follows:
  LLR: to be confirmed
  Derbyshire: to be confirmed
  Nottinghamshire: w/c 6th July 2026
  All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 14th September 2026 with VHG (held remotely). Following this, the first day of induction with the University of Nottingham will be on 21st September 2026, with teaching beginning w/c 28th September. All essential equipment will be provided.
• For those successful candidates completing a KSA, the date for submission is likely to be mid-September but this will be confirmed. For further guidance on how to complete the KSA please email us at recruitment@vhg.co.uk.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
• Applicants who have completed an NHS or HEE funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
• Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS. All candidates who hold a visa should ensure that their visa permits the right to work and study in the UK.

About Us

As part of Spire Healthcare, we’re proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics.

Working here

We are an award-winning employer regularly recognised at industry events and our latest employee survey revealed the top reasons for working here as:

• Supportive teams and managers
• A positive and inclusive culture
• Strong well-being and mental health support
• Trust, autonomy and flexibility

We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package – further details here Careers - Vita Health Group

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:

• Disability Confident Leader
• Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives
• Employer with Heart and Mindful Employer status
• Menopause Friendly accreditation

Learn more about our EDI commitments here Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Vita Health Group.

If you need any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process we will be happy to help - please get in touch at recruitment@vhg.co.uk

Additional information

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.

Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.

We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.

Vita Health Group