What is a psychological wellbeing practitioner and how do you become one?

Natalie O’Boyle explains what a psychological wellbeing practitioner does and how the role helped her get her foot in the door to work in a psychology role.  

What is a psychological wellbeing practitioner?
A psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) assesses and treats people with mild to moderate mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety disorders, using low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy strategies. 

What does the job involve?
A PWP supports clients through a programme of active and practical therapy that is focused on the here and now. The aim is to help clients understand that how they feel is likely to be affecting their thoughts, physical symptoms, emotions and behaviours and then you can work with them to help them make positive changes. 

What does a typical day in the life of a psychological wellbeing practitioner look like?
The role first requires you to screen new referrals to check whether they meet the criteria for treatment. For example, the service may only accept adults aged over-16 with anxiety, depression and stress. 

Once a referral is accepted, you carry out a risk assessment. This involves reviewing the client’s mental health needs with them and discussing whether the difficulties they face and the goals they want to achieve are appropriate for the service. If their goals do not align with the service, you can signpost or re-refer to an alternative service that would be more suitable. 

When completing these assessments you are closely supervised by a senior PWP. Once accepted for therapy, you support clients through a programme of low intensity cognitive behavioural strategies. These programmes can either be delivered via computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), where a client works through a guided self help course, or they can use an individual approach, via telephone, video call or face-to-face meetings, depending on what best suits the individual. Correct?

Can you give me examples of a typical client that you managed?
They may have experienced a recent job loss and noticed a change in their sleeping pattern, they may have stopped taking part in hobbies they once enjoyed, or they might be spending more time focusing on their negative thoughts.  Over time, such symptoms can lead to depression. 

As a PWP, you can help the client identify the cause of their symptoms and put in place changes that will hopefully result in a positive change in symptoms. For example, I remember helping someone who had lost interest in managing their own garden begin to enjoy regular gardening again.

What qualities do you need to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner?
Being empathetic, caring and understanding is a must because therapy can be really difficult for the people accessing the services and they can feel extremely vulnerable. You also need to be motivated to want to support people make positive changes and choices in their lives. 

Since anxiety and depression can affect anyone, regardless of background or income, you also need the ability to talk to and relate to a range of different types of people. You need to provide a safe and non-judgemental environment to help them feel comfortable in order to develop a good therapeutic relationship. 

PWPs have high-volume caseloads so you also need to be very organised and have effective time management skills. It will help to be enthusiastic and motivated, and you need to be able to work well within a team.

What skills and qualifications do you need? 
To be selected for a PWP traineeship you need to have experience working within a mental health setting through employment or volunteering opportunities. Good interpersonal skills are essential for the role. 

Though it’s not essential, it can be helpful to have a psychology degree – if you take this route, you will train and undertake a postgraduate certificate. But an alternative route is an apprenticeship. I didn’t have a degree but I had worked as a healthcare support worker in an acute mental health inpatient unit, which exposed me to patients with a range of mental health disorders, which helped me secure my training.

What does the training involve? 
Training consists of on-the-job training and theoretical work – typically 45 days of academic work (one day per week) alongside supervised practice, usually over an academic year.  Training courses should be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). While in training, you will be employed by a recognised service provider of talking therapies for those with anxiety or depression.  On successful completion, you get a certificate in low intensity psychological interventions and become a qualified PWP. 

How much are psychological wellbeing practitioners paid?
Whilst you are completing your training you will be a band 4 however once completed you will be paid at band 5 based on Agenda for Change within the NHS.

Would you recommend being a PWP?
Yes. The role offers great variety in terms of clients you see – and the range of different mental health disorders you will help manage – and the wide range of health and social care professionals with whom you’ll collaborate.

Becoming a PWP also gives you opportunities to further develop your career. For example, you can specialise in management of clients with long-term conditions such as diabetes or chronic pain. You can also train to provide supervision to colleagues as a senior PWP or manage a service.

You can use the training to progress your psychology career, for example as a clinical psychologist or counsellor.  Many PWPs progress to undertake cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training to become a CPT therapist - this is a path I have chosen.

What is next for you?
I became a PWP supervisor and this meant I was eligible to start my new role as a trainee cognitive behavioural therapist. I’m now a trainee cognitive behavioural therapist for Lincolnshire Talking Therapies. My experience with low intensity therapy as a PWP taught me skills that have allowed me to naturally progress onto high intensity therapy. 

Natalie O’Boyle was interviewed by Judy Cooper