Trainee High Intensity Therapist
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £39,959 per annum (NHS AfC Band 6)
Location: 1 position based at Warrington Talking Therapies, Ribban Court, 20 Dallam Lane, Warrington, WA2 7NG and 1 position based at Sefton Talking Therapies, Units 5,6 and 7 Stella Nova, Washington Parade, Bootle, L20 4TZ
Service opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday 8am to 5pm

Can you make Talking Matter?
Our Talking Therapies team are looking for people to help change lives!

About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for two Trainee High Intensity Therapists to join our NHS Talking Therapies service on a salaried one-year training position. This is an opportunity for someone who is committed to evidence-based psychological practice, has a willingness to learn new skills and is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of people experiencing common mental health difficulties. Talking Therapies services provide evidence-based interventions to people experiencing anxiety disorders and depression, including people living with long-term physical health conditions such as diabetes and respiratory conditions. As a Trainee High Intensity Therapist, you will undertake training alongside working within the service. The role will involve developing your knowledge and skills in delivering high intensity psychological interventions, with the potential for future employment within our service upon successful completion of the training programme. The training is delivered in partnership with Chester University, with the role involving three days per week at NHS Warrington/Sefton Talking Therapies and two days per week at Chester University. Successful completion of the training programme will result in a postgraduate qualification and enable you to work as a High Intensity Therapist within a Talking Therapies service with your own caseload.

About you
To be successful in this role, you will need to meet the relevant entry requirements for High Intensity Therapist training and demonstrate a genuine commitment to psychological practice, learning and professional development. Entry requirements include:

• Entry to HIT training requires a BABCP-recognised Core Profession, or you must be able to prepare a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) entry route portfolio prior to interview.
• If applying through the KSA route, the portfolio will need to be sent to Chester University at prior to interview. If successful, the university will provide feedback on any areas requiring further development during training.
• Applications from some Core Professions from a physical health background, where there is experience of working with mental health conditions, may also be considered. Please check the BABCP website for further information.
• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) should have a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience, in line with national NHS Talking Therapies guidelines.
• All other KSA candidates must have at least four years' relevant mental health-related work experience, alongside a range of formal and informal training demonstrating that the KSA standards have been met.
• All candidates should hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent, although exceptional circumstances for Core Profession candidates may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• If you have previously attracted NHS England (NHSE) funding for a PWP role, there must be a minimum of two years between the date you successfully completed your PWP training and the date you apply for a Trainee High Intensity Therapist role.
• If invited to interview, you will need to provide copies of relevant academic qualifications, certificates and other supporting evidence. Offers cannot be made without the required documentation.

Why Join Us?
Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity delivering innovative, life-changing mental health support for individuals and communities across the UK. Through our diverse range of services, we help people improve their mental wellbeing, overcome barriers and lead fulfilling lives. Everything we do is people focused. Whether supporting those who access our services or investing in the wellbeing and development of our colleagues, people are at the heart of MHM. Our workforce is the driving force behind our success, and we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and values-led environment where talented individuals can thrive and make a meaningful difference. By joining MHM, you'll become part of a compassionate and ambitious organisation that is committed to improving mental health, promoting recovery and creating positive change in communities across the country.

What we offer you

• 27 days Annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
• Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
• Access to our workplace pension scheme
• Family friendly and flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
• Access to our Wellbeing Offer - including EAP, Virtual GP service and wellbeing resources
• Life Assurance and Free Will writing service
• Blue Light Card and Charity Workers discounts
• Access to Tickets for Good
• Employee recognition and celebration schemes
• A tailored induction programme, bespoke Personal Development and Career Pathways to support you in your role and your career aspirations

How to Apply
At Mental Health Matters, we are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring that we appoint people who share our values and are dedicated to making a positive difference. If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete our online application form. As part of your application, you will be asked to answer a number of questions to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. We encourage you to provide clear and specific examples that highlight your suitability for the role. Please ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements before applying. If you are unsure whether your qualifications, experience or professional background meet the requirements, please contact us for further information. For further information about our recruitment and selection processes, please refer to our Candidate Guide.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We believe everyone should have access to fair and accessible opportunities, and we are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are welcoming and inclusive for all. During the application process, we may ask for some personal information to help us understand how we can make our recruitment practices as fair and accessible as possible. Any information you provide will be treated confidentially and used solely for this purpose. We value the unique experiences, perspectives and contributions that diversity brings and are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported and able to be themselves.

Interested in Finding Out More?
We welcome informal conversations about the role. If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact: We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming talented people who share our passion for improving mental health and changing lives.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Entry to HIT training requires a BABCP-recognised Core Profession, or you must be able to prepare a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) entry route portfolio prior to interview.
• If applying through the KSA route, the portfolio will need to be sent to Chester University at ksa@chester.ac.uk prior to interview. If successful, the university will provide feedback on any areas requiring further development during training.
• Applications from some Core Professions from a physical health background, where there is experience of working with mental health conditions, may also be considered. Please check the BABCP website for further information.
• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) should have a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience, in line with national NHS Talking Therapies guidelines.
• All other KSA candidates must have at least four years' relevant mental health-related work experience, alongside a range of formal and informal training demonstrating that the KSA standards have been met.
• All candidates should hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent, although exceptional circumstances for Core Profession candidates may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• If you have previously attracted NHS England (NHSE) funding for a PWP role, there must be a minimum of two years between the date you successfully completed your PWP training and the date you apply for a Trainee High Intensity Therapist role.
• If invited to interview, you will need to provide copies of relevant academic qualifications, certificates and other supporting evidence. Offers cannot be made without the required documentation.

Experience
Essential

• Entry to HIT training requires a BABCP-recognised Core Profession, or you must be able to prepare a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) entry route portfolio prior to interview.
• If applying through the KSA route, the portfolio will need to be sent to Chester University at ksa@chester.ac.uk prior to interview. If successful, the university will provide feedback on any areas requiring further development during training.
• Applications from some Core Professions from a physical health background, where there is experience of working with mental health conditions, may also be considered. Please check the BABCP website for further information.
• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) should have a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience, in line with national NHS Talking Therapies guidelines.
• All other KSA candidates must have at least four years' relevant mental health-related work experience, alongside a range of formal and informal training demonstrating that the KSA standards have been met.
• All candidates should hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent, although exceptional circumstances for Core Profession candidates may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• If you have previously attracted NHS England (NHSE) funding for a PWP role, there must be a minimum of two years between the date you successfully completed your PWP training and the date you apply for a Trainee High Intensity Therapist role.
• If invited to interview, you will need to provide copies of relevant academic qualifications, certificates and other supporting evidence. Offers cannot be made without the required documentation.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: Mental Health Matters
Address: Ribban Court, 20 Dallam Lane, Warrington, WA2 7NG
Warrington
WA2 7NG
United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.mhm.org.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
People and Organisational Development
MHM Recruitment Team
recruitment@mhm.org.uk
01915163500

Details
Date posted: 28 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: R000665
Job locations: Ribban Court, 20 Dallam Lane, Warrington, WA2 7NG
Warrington
WA2 7NG
United Kingdom

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