How to become a CBT Therapist

435

£25,000/y

avg. starting salary

Want to help people deal with their emotions? Listening to them is just the beginning… Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CBT Therapists) provide support and treatment to clients who are dealing with a range of mental health problems – including everything from anxiety and depression, to OCD and schizophrenia. Their job is to help patients identify negative behaviours and feelings, in order to teach helpful techniques and skills that will change the way they think and behave. As a result, clients are better able to deal with and alleviate stress. Key duties for a CBT Therapist could include:

Assessing a client’s need for CBT therapy
Building trust
Encouraging clients to share their feelings
Implementing and evaluating therapy programmes
Providing help and guidance to ensure changes are being fulfilled
Holding group sessions in a clinical setting
Writing reports in order to track clients’ progress

First and foremost – an ability to look for, identify, and understand all kinds of behavioural problems is key if you want to become a CBT Therapist. And, because clients may not always be comfortable talking about their problems, you’ll also need to be good at encouraging them to open up using a variation of trust-building techniques. This means an ability to build rapport and establish relationships is vital. Sensitivity and compassion are equally must-haves. After all, not all clients will be big fans of ‘tough love’… You’ll also need:

Self-awareness
An open mind
A non-judgmental attitude
Positivity
Good listening skills
Empathy, and respect for others

Junior CBT Therapist

Up to £25,000

CBT Therapist

Up to £35,000

Senior CBT Therapist

Up to £40,000

"My role generally involves holding sessions with people who are struggling with various aspects of their mental health, learning about their individual situations, and implementing tailored programmes to teach them the skills needed to deal with the difficulties they’re facing. Understandably, the problems aren’t always easy to solve, especially when the client has gone through particularly tough times. However, this just makes my job even more important. If you’re passionate about helping people and you’re clued up on how people think and feel, this role is for you. But if you’re ready to give up after a few tears, you might have some work to do…"

Get qualified

Employers will usually look for candidates with an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, alongside a postgraduate qualification in CBT. Previous work experience in mental health is also highly desirable, and taking an industry-recognised course could help you to stand out from the crowd.

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