Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), in partnership with the University of Reading, is pleased to offer opportunities for Trainee High-Intensity CBT Therapists within our Children, Families and All Age (CFAA) Service.
Trainees will complete the Postgraduate Diploma at the University of Reading while working clinically in one of our CAMHS teams. Placement opportunities are available across a number of teams within CFAA, including:
Getting Help Teams (GHTs) – providing early intervention and CBT-informed support for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) – delivering evidence-based interventions in schools for anxiety, low mood, and other common mental health difficulties.
Specialist Community Teams (Slough) – supporting young people with more complex presentations across a range of needs.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment Team (ADTT) – based at Erlegh House, University of Reading, delivering CBT for young people experiencing more severe or enduring difficulties.
As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred team placement(s) within their application.
These posts are full-time for one year, including time spent in training at the University of Reading.
To provide a high standard of assessment and treatment for patients referred to the service
To take responsibility for an agreed clinical caseload, involving care co-ordination as appropriate to ensure continuity
To collaboratively assess and provide needs-based treatment programmes and discharge plans for patients, utilising Care Programme Approach (CPA) where appropriate
To plan and provide appropriate therapy services in consultation with users, carers and clinical teams for patients referred, within defined resources and using evidence-based practice
To develop and maintain relevant and evidence-based therapeutic activities as appropriate to the patient group served, including opportunities for cognitive, creative, education, work, leisure, interpersonal and life skills
To regularly review and evaluate treatment programmes with patients, carers and members of the clinical teams
To participate in clinical meetings, case conferences and CPA meetings
To enable the transition of patients through stages in their care involving care planning and therapy programmes
To compile written reports as required and to generate and maintain accurate treatment records in each patients file, which are stored securely
To monitor and evaluate the service provision
To attend and engage in regular clinical supervision
To complete the post-graduate diploma in children and young people's CBT at the University of Reading
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Hear what our people say about working for our CAMHS service: ]
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority
Committed to providing good quality, safe services
Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance
27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
Generous NHS pension scheme
Excellent learning and career development opportunities
'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
Free parking across Trust sites
The "must haves" for this role:
1. RMN, OT, SW, or equivalent professional qualification OR evidence of meeting prerequisite requirement for further post graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) by completion of a knowledge skills and attitudes portfolio )
1. Evidence of continuing professional development
2. Post qualification experience in a mental health setting, working with young people or adults with mental illness.
The course you will be completing at the University of Reading as part of this role is a Level 2 accredited course with BABCP. This means that upon completion trainees will meet criteria to apply for provisional accreditation as a CBT therapist with the BABCP.
To apply, you must meet the criteria for CBT training and also have a BABCP-recognised professional background in mental health or related areas. This means having a recognised Core Profession. You can find out whether you have a recognised Core Profession here .
If you do not have a Core Profession, you must complete a portfolio of evidence to show that you have equivalent training and experience. This is known as the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes portfolio (KSA). If applying via the KSA route, you must have completed a self-statement for KSA criterion 4 before interview and, if successful at interview, will need to prepare the other required sections ahead of the start of the course (including obtaining references). Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.
If you have undertaken low-intensity CBT training (e.g., PWP, CWP or EMHP) you must have at least 2 years' experience between the exam board of your previous training (not just coursework completion or a letter from the department) and the start date of any high-intensity training. This is nationally mandated and is there are no exceptions; you will be asked to evidence your exam board date (or date of graduation certificate if no evidence of exam board) prior to invite to interview.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.
If you're someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact: Rhona Edwards on or who'll be delighted to help.
Interviews will be held in two parts. A first interview with BHFT on 23 rd and 24 th September 2025 and a second stage with BHFT alongside the University of Reading on 30 th September 2025.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.