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Home > Explore roles > Psychological professions > Roles in the psychological professions > Adult psychotherapist

Adult psychotherapist

Adult psychotherapists work with adults to assess and treat a range of emotional, social or mental health issues.  

You'll help adults tackle problems such as behavioural issues, common challenges such as anxiety and depression or more complex or severe issues, such as psychosis or a personality disorder diagnosis.   

Working life

Treatment usually begins with an assessment which takes place over a number of sessions between you and the patient. 

Having trained in one or more psychotherapeutic approaches, you will provide therapy to help people change the ways they think and behave or find better ways to cope. This therapy will provide space for them to express their feelings and gain a deeper insight into the issues they face. This could include group sessions. 

Where will I work? 

You are likely to work in: 

  • hospitals
  • local clinics and health centres
  • in the community
  • an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service

You’ll also work in a multi-disciplinary team including mental health nurses [1], psychiatrists [2] and a range of other psychological professionals [3].

Entry requirements 

To practise as an adult psychotherapist, you’ll need to undertake appropriate recognised training. You’ll usually need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and/or be a qualified and experienced healthcare practitioner, such as a psychiatrist [2], psychologist [4], mental health nurse [1] or social worker [5]. 

To secure a place on a psychotherapy training course, you will also need to be able to demonstrate that you have relevant experience. 

Employers will indicate through the job description/person specification exactly which qualifications they will consider when selecting applicants for psychotherapist roles. 

Training 

Training usually takes four years, combining study with clinical training under supervision and provided by a number of organisations, which are usually accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy [6] (UKCP), the Bri [7]tish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy [7] or the British Psychoanalytic Council [8].

Clinical training consists of intensive treatment of patients carried out under supervision. Clinical discussions combining theory and practice are held throughout the period of training. Alongside your training, you will be expected to undertake your own personal therapy to build your self-awareness and expand on your ability to relate to others.  

The application process for psychotherapy training is administered directly by the individual organisations running the courses.

Must-have skills  

You’ll need a range of skills to be a psychotherapist, including: 

  • a keen awareness of people and their behaviour
  • a capacity for study and continued learning
  • the ability to relate to a wide range of people
  • excellent communication skills
  • the ability to work on your own as well as in consultation with others
  • a responsible, professional approach, respecting the confidentiality of patients
  • emotional resilience and maturity
  • self awareness 
  • the ability to empathise with others and make positive relationships 
  • an openness to addressing issues of prejudice and oppression  
  • Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) [9]pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. 

    While training, you'll usually be paid at band 6. After completing their training, you'll be paid at band 7. Adult psychotherapists work full or part time. Terms and conditions can vary for employers outside of the NHS. 

  • As your professional experience and knowledge grows, you can move into more senior positions within psychotherapy services and beyond. There are opportunities to be involved in research and training people to become psychotherapists. As well as moving to more senior and specialised roles, you may also have the chance to take on additional responsibilities and progress within the organisation. 

    If you start NHS-funded training from April 2022, you will normally be unable to access further NHS-funded training for a new occupation in the psychological professions until two years after your qualifying exam board. Visit the funding for psychological professions training programmes web page [10] for more information about NHS funding.

  • Most NHS organisations advertise their job and apprenticeship vacancies on NHS Jobs [11], including those who run NHS services. Some advertise on their own websites. You can find a list of NHS organisations at NHS Choices [12].

    If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution [13] apply in your everyday work. 

    Find out more about NHS values. [14]

    Find a vacancy

    • 8b Principal Adult Psychotherapist- part time

      Chertsey, KT16 9FG

      Salary:
      £64337.00 to £74415.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for 8b Principal Adult Psychotherapist- part time job (opens in a new window) [15]
    • Psychotherapist

      Worcester, WR6 5JD

      Salary:
      £47763.00 to £47763.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Caretech Community Services Ltd
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [16]
    • Counsellor/Psychotherapist

      Cheney Manor, SN2 2PN

      Salary:
      £27000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      ABL Health Ltd
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Counsellor/Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [17]
    • Psychotherapist /Counsellor

      Derby, DE1 2QY

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Psychotherapist /Counsellor job (opens in a new window) [18]
    • Parent Infant Psychotherapist

      Dewsbury, WF13 4AD

      Salary:
      £55690.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Parent Infant Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [19]
    • Group Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

      Wakefield, WF1 2TE

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Group Psychodynamic Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [20]
    • Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

      London, SE5 8AZ

      Salary:
      £70387.00 to £80465.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist job (opens in a new window) [21]
    • Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

      Brixton , London, SW9 6AA

      Salary:
      £61927.00 to £68676.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist job (opens in a new window) [22]
    • Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

      London, SE18EL

      Salary:
      £61927.00 to £68676.00
      Type:
      Secondment
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist job (opens in a new window) [23]
    • Practitioner Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist

      Croydon, CR0 1FE

      Salary:
      £67950.00 to £78028.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Practitioner Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [24]
    • Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

      Kennington, SE11 6JJ

      Salary:
      £54320.00 to £60981.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist job (opens in a new window) [25]
    • Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist

      Reading, RG1 7YL

      Salary:
      £50008.00 to £56908.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [26]
    • Principal Counselling/Clinical Psychologist/ (Arts) Psychotherapist

      Torquay, TQ2 7AA

      Salary:
      £53755.00 to £60504.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Devon Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Principal Counselling/Clinical Psychologist/ (Arts) Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [27]
    • Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist

      Belper, DE56 1WN

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist job (opens in a new window) [28]
    • Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Psychotherapist inc Arts

      Torquay, TQ27AA

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Devon Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Psychotherapist inc Arts job (opens in a new window) [29]
    • High Intensity Therapist or High Intensity Counselling Psychotherapist

      Weymouth, DT4 7BG

      Salary:
      £27688.00 to £31685.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for High Intensity Therapist or High Intensity Counselling Psychotherapist job (opens in a new window) [30]
    • Adult Counsellor

      Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6PR

      Salary:
      £31049.00 to £37796.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Havens Hospices
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Adult Counsellor job (opens in a new window) [31]
    • Specialist Adult Audiologist

      London, W6 8RF

      Salary:
      £44806.00 to £53134.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Adult Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Specialist Adult Audiologist

      London, W6 8RF

      Salary:
      £44806.00 to £53134.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Adult Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Administrator - Adult Safeguarding Team

      Bath, BA1 3NG

      Salary:
      £24625.00 to £25674.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Administrator - Adult Safeguarding Team job (opens in a new window) [33]
    • Remote Adult ADHD Assessor

      London, W1G 9PF

      Salary:
      £200.00
      Type:
      Locum
      Employer:
      Harley Mental Health Ltd
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Remote Adult ADHD Assessor job (opens in a new window) [34]
    • Adult Community Dietitian - Bexley

      Orpington, BR5 2RJ

      Salary:
      £42939.00 to £50697.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Bromley Healthcare CIC
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Adult Community Dietitian - Bexley job (opens in a new window) [35]
    • Lecturer in Adult Nursing

      Chichester, PO19 6PE

      Salary:
      £41671.00 to £45413.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University of Chichester
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Lecturer in Adult Nursing job (opens in a new window) [36]
    • Adult Safeguarding Team Manager

      Bodmin, PL31 2QN

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Adult Safeguarding Team Manager job (opens in a new window) [37]
    • Young Adult Associate Practitioner

      Wakefield, WF1 2TE

      Salary:
      £27485.00 to £30162.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Young Adult Associate Practitioner job (opens in a new window) [38]
    • Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults

      Plymouth, PL6 8DH

      Salary:
      £55690.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults job (opens in a new window) [39]
    • Principal Applied Psychologist - Older Adults

      Doncaster, DN4 8QN

      Salary:
      £62215.00 to £72293.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Principal Applied Psychologist - Older Adults job (opens in a new window) [40]
    • Group Manager - Adult Social Work

      Douglas, IM1 2SF

      Salary:
      £66461.00 to £77429.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Manx Care
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Group Manager - Adult Social Work job (opens in a new window) [41]
    • Clinical/Counselling Psychologist Adult Wards

      Potters Bar, EN62SE

      Salary:
      £52000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Elysium Healthcare
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical/Counselling Psychologist Adult Wards job (opens in a new window) [42]
    • Adult Speech and Language Therapist

      Croydon, Surrey, CR7 7YE

      Salary:
      £51883.00 to £58544.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Adult Speech and Language Therapist job (opens in a new window) [43]
    • Specialist Audiologist – Adults and Paediatrics

      PLYMOUTH, PL6 8DH

      Salary:
      £38682.00 to £46580.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Audiologist – Adults and Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [44]
    • Principal Psychologist - Adult Inpatient Services

      LUTON, LU4 9WT

      Salary:
      £62215.00 to £72293.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      East London NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Principal Psychologist - Adult Inpatient Services job (opens in a new window) [45]
    • Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry

      Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 9RW

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Pennine Care NHS FT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [46]
    • Specialty Doctor - General Adult Psychiatry

      Enfield, EN1 2HL

      Salary:
      £61542.00 to £99216.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      North London NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialty Doctor - General Adult Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [47]
    • Safeguarding Specialist Advisor for Adults

      Ashford, TN25 4AZ

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Safeguarding Specialist Advisor for Adults job (opens in a new window) [48]
    • Consultant Adult & Paediatric Spinal Surgeon

      London, E1 1FR

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Barts Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Adult & Paediatric Spinal Surgeon job (opens in a new window) [49]
    • Older Adult CMHT Team Manager

      Bolton, BL2 6NT

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Older Adult CMHT Team Manager job (opens in a new window) [50]
    • Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry

      Telford, TF34NF

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [51]
    • Speciality Doctor (General Adult Psychiatry)

      Huddersfield, HD1 3LT

      Salary:
      £70901.00 to £99216.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Speciality Doctor (General Adult Psychiatry) job (opens in a new window) [52]
    • ADMINISTRATOR- Adult Community Services B3

      Godalming, GU7 1UG

      Salary:
      £26240.00 to £27928.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for ADMINISTRATOR- Adult Community Services B3 job (opens in a new window) [53]
    • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy [7]
    • British Psychoanalytic Council [54]
    • UK Council for Psychotherapy [55]

Other roles that may interest you

  • Art therapist/art psychotherapist [56]
  • Mental health nurse [57]
  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner [58]
  • Assistant psychologist [59]

Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/psychotherapist

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/mental-health-nurse [2] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychiatry [3] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies [4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/clinical-psychologist [5] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/clinical-support-staff/social-worker [6] https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/ [7] https://www.bacp.co.uk/ [8] https://www.bpc.org.uk/ [9] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/careers-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/agenda-change-pay-rates [10] https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes [11] http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ [12] http://www.nhs.uk/aboutnhs/howthenhsworks/authoritiesandtrusts/Pages/Authoritiesandtrusts.aspx [13] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#NHS_Constitution [14] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/working-health/nhs-constitution [15] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9325-25-0449 [16] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/U0017-25-0009 [17] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0343-25-0015abl651f [18] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9320-25-0916 [19] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9378-CK2270 [20] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9378-W1333 [21] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0720 [22] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0704 [23] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0705 [24] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0702 [25] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9334-25-0687 [26] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9371-25-0569 [27] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9369-25-0477 [28] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9383-25-0406 [29] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9369-25-0505 [30] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9152-25-0526 [31] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B0402-25-0032 [32] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9290-25-0888 [33] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9427-25-0513 [34] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0476-HSMH-1 [35] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B9848-25-0149 [36] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/N0029-25-0002 [37] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9201-25-0723 [38] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9378-W1289B [39] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9216-25-0922 [40] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9376-25-0427 [41] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/K0006-25-0126 [42] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0132-25-1174 [43] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9199-25-0284 [44] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9216-25-0923 [45] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9363-25-0724 [46] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9311-25-0541 [47] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9455-25-0396 [48] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9846-25-0477 [49] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9259-25-1609 [50] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9437-25-0607 [51] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9301-25-0680 [52] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9378-CK2266 [53] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9384-25-0578 [54] http://www.bpc.org.uk/ [55] http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/ [56] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/art-therapistart-psychotherapist [57] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/roles-nursing/mental-health-nurse [58] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/psychological-wellbeing-practitioner [59] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/assistant-clinical-psychologist