How to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
University
You could do a degree in psychology or health and social care subjects then apply for a place on a postgraduate training course.
After your degree, you'll need to get a job in healthcare while you complete Improving Access to Psychological Therapy training approved by the British Psychological Society.
This 12 month course is made up of a 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 experience of working with people who have mental health issues or disabilities. This could be from paid work or volunteering.
You can:
- contact your local NHS trust about work experience opportunities
- search for paid and volunteer roles on NHS jobs, such as community support worker
- look at volunteer opportunities with Mind
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 as a psychological wellbeing practitioner from Health Careers.