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Psychological wellbeing practitioner

Alternative titles for this job include Primary care graduate mental health worker

Psychological wellbeing practitioners give treatment and support to people with mental health problems.

Average salary (a year)

£25,654 Starter

to

£31,534 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree in psychology or health and social care subjects, and then apply for a place on a postgraduate training course.

After your degree, you'll be employed in the health service and complete Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training, approved by the British Psychological Society.

This 12-month course is made up of 1 day of academic study and 4 days of supervised practice each week.

Entry requirements

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Psychological wellbeing practitioner degree apprenticeship.

You may need a degree in a relevant subject like psychology or nursing or experience of working in mental health to do this apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
  • a degree in a relevant subject for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

To get into this role you'll usually need long-term, paid or voluntary experience of working with people who have mental health issues or disabilities. You can contact your local NHS trust about work experience opportunities. You could search for paid and volunteer roles like community support worker on NHS jobs or with charities like Mind.

Direct Application

You can apply directly if you've got relevant skills and knowledge. Employers will look for:

  • qualifications in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or other psychological therapy
  • experience and training in cognitive behavioural therapy

You'll complete an Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training course while you work.

More Information

Career tips

Experience of working with people with mental health problems will be helpful.

Further information

You can find out more about working in as a psychological wellbeing practitioner in primary mental health care from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

  • conduct one to one interview sessions to assess and support patients' needs
  • design and run group therapy sessions
  • promote good mental health in the community
  • signpost people to relevant services
  • keep accurate and up-to-date patient care records
  • support and train other healthcare professionals
  • develop and set up new mental health support services

Working environment

You could work at a health centre, at a client's home or at a GP practice.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could train as a high intensity therapist, working with people with complex mental health needs.
 
You could also lead a team or develop new mental health services. 

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a psychological wellbeing practitioner right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Mental Health - An Introduction

  • Provider: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 13 October 2022
  • Location: Not known

Mental Health - An Introduction

  • Provider: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 08 December 2022
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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