Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Psychosis

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for Psychosis

The closing date is 29 January 2026

The CBTp Therapist is a core member of the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) multidisciplinary team, providing evidence-based psychological interventions to individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis or at high risk of developing psychosis. The post holder delivers NICE-recommended CBT for psychosis (CBTp) to support recovery, reduce distress, and promote social and functional outcomes.

The role involves working collaboratively with service users, carers, and professionals to develop shared formulations, support relapse prevention, and enhance engagement with services during the critical early stages of psychosis.

• Deliver NICE-recommended CBT for psychosis (CBTp) to individuals experiencing first episode psychosis or at risk of developing psychosis.
• Undertake psychological assessments and develop collaborative formulations.
• Support service users to understand and manage psychotic experiences and associated distress.
• Contribute to relapse prevention and recovery-focused care planning.
• Work collaboratively within the EIP multidisciplinary team.
• Provide psychological input and consultation to colleagues.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and outcome measures.
• Participate in clinical supervision, CPD, and service development.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire. We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

CWP is rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

• Babcp accredited or BABCP‑acquirable and working towards accreditation within the first year.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BABCP.
• Willingness to attend postgraduate training to develop specialist clinical skills for psychosis, bipolar disorder using a cognitive behavioural model (CBTp).
• Core mental health profession, registered with appropriate regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC).
• Post‑graduate CBT qualification including specialist clinical skills for working with psychosis, bipolar disorder (CBTp), or complex trauma.
• Training in another psychological therapy (e.g. EMDR, family intervention).
• Post‑graduate qualification in clinical supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of research methodology.
• Professional and scholarly activity via conference presentation, teaching experience, publication or similar.

• Expert knowledge of the cognitive behavioural model and disorder‑specific CBT interventions.
• Expertise in formulating and applying CBT models to the individual client.
• Well‑developed communication skills (oral and written) for complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and consent principles.
• Ability to work within ethical and professional guidelines.
• Knowledge of evidence‑based psychological interventions for psychosis.
• Knowledge of legislation relating to the client group and mental health.
• Experience of joint working with academic institutions to integrate research into practice.
• Knowledge of specialised psychological therapies for individuals with complex difficulties (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses).
• Knowledge of specific models of cognitive behavioural interventions for psychosis or at‑risk groups.

• Experience utilising specialist CBT assessment and treatment for a wide range of presenting problems.
• 2+ years in a specialist cognitive behavioural therapist clinical role.
• Skill in complex psychological assessment, intervention and management requiring sustained concentration.
• Experience supervising staff across disciplines and levels.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
• Experience of partnership and cross‑organisational working.
• Experience of working autonomously.
• Experience of mental health and risk assessments.
• Experience with clients across the lifespan and varying clinical severity, maintaining professionalism in emotive or distressing situations.
• Experience with first episode psychosis and at‑risk mental states.
• Experience running groups/workshops/courses for service users with psychosis and their carers.
• Experience working within a multicultural framework.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to assess any previous criminal convictions.