Psychological wellbeing practitioner
Level 6 · DegreeHealth and science 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) delivers evidence-based, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions to people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, usually within NHS Talking Therapies services. Apprentices assess patients, guide them through self-help programmes, and support access to further care when needed. Completion of this degree-level apprenticeship leads to BABCP-recognised practitioner status and roles across mental health services.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Low-intensity CBT models for common mental health problems
Standardised assessment tools such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7
Guided self-help, behavioural activation, and worry management techniques
Risk assessment and safeguarding procedures
Stepped-care and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) frameworks
Clinical record-keeping and outcome monitoring
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Carry out structured clinical assessments with patients
Deliver telephone and face-to-face guided self-help sessions
Support patients to complete psychoeducational materials
Monitor patient progress using standardised outcome measures
Collaborate with GPs, counsellors, and specialist services
Maintain accurate clinical case notes and session records
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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