Your guide to new roles in psychology

The NHS has seen a large expansion of roles across the psychology profession in the last five years. This guide provides an overview of these roles, including what they do, their training and pay. 

The psychological professions are some of the fastest growing in the UK. In the NHS in England alone, they have grown by 65% since 2019 and the government has committed to funding the training of at least another 15,000 by 2026.

Some of this growth has been through the creation of new roles – this guide sets out the key differences between them.

Clinical associates in psychology (CAPs)

Clinical associates in psychology deliver psychological interventions under the supervision of a fully qualified clinical psychologist. They are usually trained to work with specific groups, such as children and young people, or with particular conditions, for example, people with eating disorders. For this reason, the training is shorter and less demanding than that required to work as a clinical psychologist.
Where do they work? Within community mental health teams, hospitals or inpatient settings, secure or medium-secure mental health settings or with specialist mental health services.
How much are clinical associates in psychology paid? Trainees are paid at Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 5. Qualified CAPS are paid at Band 6.
What training do CAPs need? An 18-month apprenticeship for those with a university degree leading to a masters degree. Apprenticeship opportunities are advertised via employers on jobs boards. Time in training is divided between the job and university.
What is their career potential? To progress into a more senior role, such as a clinical psychologist, you will need experience in a broader range of conditions and populations and to obtain a place on a doctoral programme. Another option is to progress into other psychology or psychological therapy training – something that is possible two years after graduating as a CAP.

CBT therapists/high intensity therapists

CBT therapists are trained in using cognitive behavioural therapy to change unhelpful patterns of thinking or behaviour. They will work with clients individually or in groups and may work with a variety of problems including anxiety or depression, long term physical health problems, psychosis, or eating disorders. CBT therapy is considered a high intensity therapy – an umbrella term that also includes brief dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). For this reason, some workplaces may use the working title of ‘high intensity therapist’ instead. 
Where do they work? Most work in NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (formerly known as IAPT) services but you could also be based in children and young people’s mental health services or in a GP practice. 
How much are CBT therapists paid?  Trainees are paid at AfC Band 6. Qualified CBT Therapists are paid at AfC Band 7.
What training do CBT therapists need? It is expected that you will already be a graduate and working in mental health as a registered professional such as an arts therapist, mental health or learning disability nurse, social worker or counsellor before applying to train as a CBT therapist. Training is a12-month high intensity NHS Talking Therapies postgraduate diploma. To work with some client groups you will need to obtain a specialist diploma – such as children and young people or adults with psychosis. To get your training funded you will need to be interviewed for a CBT therapist training role with an NHS organisation.
What is their career potential? There are senior CBT therapist roles, which include supervision or management responsibilities. After that you may be able to progress into higher pay banded roles. 

Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWP)

These practitioners assess and support people with anxiety and depression and help them manage their recovery.
Where do they work? NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression services. 
How much are psychological wellbeing practitioners paid?  Trainees are paid at AfC Band 4. Qualified PWPs are paid at Band 5.
What training do PWPs need? Training, including apprenticeships, is offered through NHS Talking Therapies services.  Graduates earn either a postgraduate certificate or graduate certificate.
What is their career potential?  Senior PWP roles include supervising others or managing parts of a service. Some PWPs progress to undertake cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training to become a CBT therapist or high intensity therapist. However trained PWPs must work for at least two years before being eligible for further NHS funded training. Other options include the new clinical associate in psychology (CAP) training or clinical psychology training.

Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs)

These practitioners provide psychological interventions, such as guided self-help, for children and young people. They work with several client groups, including primary and secondary school aged children with anxiety; adolescents with low mood; and with parents of children under eight who exhibit common behavioural difficulties. 
Where do they work? Based in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and working under close supervision of the rest of the team.
How much are children’s wellbeing practitioners paid? Trainees are paid at AfC Band 4. Qualified CWPs are paid at Band 5
What training do CWPs need? One year of training leading to either a graduate certificate or post-graduate certificate.  Places are advertised via employers as trainee CWP positions.
What is their career potential?  Some CWPs can progress to become senior wellbeing practitioners (SWP), supervising others and extending the scope of their interventions (see below). Others choose to progress into another psychology or psychological therapy training. They become eligible for further funded training two years after graduation. 

Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs)

These practitioners undertake a very similar role to CWPs but a key difference is they are based in schools and colleges and support these educational organisations with whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. 
Where do they work? EMHPs are based in schools and colleges. They are part of the newly created Mental Health Support Teams which work as a bridge between the NHS and local authorities on mental health.
How much are education mental health practitioners paid?  Trainees are paid at AfC Band 4. Qualified EMHPs are paid at Band 5.
What training do EMHPs need? One year postgraduate or graduate diploma.  The training includes understanding the education system including legislative and policy frameworks 
What is their career potential? Some EMHPs can progress to become senior wellbeing practitioners, supervising others and extending the scope of their interventions (see below). Others choose to progress into another psychology or psychological therapy training. They become eligible for further funded training two years after graduation. 

Senior Wellbeing Practitioners (SWPs)

This is a new role created to provide a career ladder for CWPs and EMHPs. SWPs have a broader clinical skill base and supervise other psychological practitioners.
Where do they work? Children and young people mental health services, schools and colleges.
How much are senior wellbeing practitioners paid? Trainees are paid at AfC Band 5. Qualified SWPs are paid at Band 6.
What training do SWPs need? You must complete a two year training course,  learning about low intensity therapeutic approaches to trauma, OCD, tics, autism and learning disabilities. The training is undertaken while working as a trainee senior wellbeing practitioner. Applicants will need a degree and normally two years work experience as a children’s wellbeing practitioner or educational mental health practitioner.
What is their career potential?  The leadership and managerial aspects of the role could pave the way to other clinical leadership or management roles. Alternatively you could move into psychologist or psychological therapist training.  

Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (MHWPs)
These practitioners primarily work with adults with severe mental health problems, perinatal mental health problems, and those misusing drugs and alcohol. They offer psychologically informed interventions based on cognitive behavioural principles, that are focused on wellbeing. These include problem solving, goal setting, managing emotions and improving sleep. MHWPs are also involved in the coordination of a person’s care and collaborative decision making with them and their families.
Where do they work? Community mental health teams, drug and alcohol services, specialist perinatal mental health services, other specialist teams.
How much are mental health and wellbeing practitioners paid?  Trainees are paid at AfC Band 4. Qualified MHWPs are paid at AfC Band 5.
What training do MHWPs need?  A one year training programme leading to a postgraduate or graduate certificate.
What is their career potential?  Some MHWPs will progress to senior MHWPs, supervising others and potentially taking up additional leadership and management responsibilities. Others opt to undertake further psychology or psychological therapy training. They become eligible for further funded training two years after graduation. 

Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner (YIPPs)
These practitioners work with young people (between the ages of 13-17) with complex or severe mental health problems. Supervised by clinical psychologists, they act as part of the transition team between in-patient and at-home services to help young people with their recovery.
Where do they work?  They are usually based at in-patient services but they also work within the community or visit people at home. 
How much are youth intensive psychological practitioners paid?  Trainees are paid at AfC Band 4. Qualified YIPPs are paid at Band 5.
What training do YIPPs need?  Designed for those with a psychology degree the training is a one-year course, leading to a post-graduate certificate. Those without a degree will need to have completed another qualifying course that confers graduate chartered membership of the British Psychological Society, such as clinical psychology or cognitive behavioural therapy. There is only one education provider at the moment – the University of Exeter.
What is their career potential?  Some YIPPs may progress into more senior roles in their team. Other options include further psychology or psychological therapy training. They become eligible for further funded training two years after graduation.