Cognitive Behavioural Therapists
We connect NHS Talking Therapies services, community mental health teams, and private providers with experienced, BABCP-accredited CBT therapists – and offer locum and permanent opportunities for therapists who want roles that match their clinical interests and career goals.
Welcome to Hunter Gatherer Mental Health, your specialist partner for CBT therapist recruitment across the UK.
We place Cognitive Behavioural Therapists therapists into NHS Talking Therapies services, community mental health teams, CAMHS and private therapy settings on both a locum and permanent basis. Whether you’re a service that needs to expand capacity or a therapist looking for your next role, we offer fast, well-matched placements from a team that understands psychological therapies.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychological treatment that helps people understand and change the patterns of thinking and behaviour that maintain psychological distress. It is the most widely commissioned talking therapy within NHS mental health services in the UK, recommended by NICE for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and a range of other conditions.
CBT therapists work across NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (formerly IAPT), community mental health teams, CAMHS, inpatient settings, and private practice. The profession draws on practitioners from a range of backgrounds – including nursing, psychology, social work, and counselling – who have completed an accredited postgraduate training programme and typically hold BABCP accreditation.
Why Services Choose Hunter Gatherer for CBT Therapist Recruitment:
- We understand the talking therapies landscape NHS Talking Therapies, Step 2 and Step 3, CYP services, community mental health, private practice – our consultants understand how CBT services are structured and what different settings actually need from a therapist.
- BABCP accreditation verified Full or provisional BABCP accreditation is expected by most NHS and private services. We confirm accreditation status during compliance, so you know exactly what you’re getting before anyone starts.
- Remote and in-person placements Locum CBT work includes a significant amount of remote and hybrid delivery. We have strong experience placing therapists in remote NHS Talking Therapies roles alongside traditional in-person placements.
- Locum and permanent placements Short-term cover or a long-term hire – we support both.
Need support attracting top Cognitive behavioural therapy talent?
CBT Settings We Recruit For:
- NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression – Step 3 high-intensity CBT roles in NHS commissioned services, including remote and hybrid delivery
- Community Mental Health Teams – CBT therapists within integrated CMHTs, primary care networks, and specialist teams
- CAMHS and Children and Young People’s (CYP) Services – CBT therapists working with children, adolescents and families
- Inpatient Settings – psychological input on acute mental health wards and specialist units
- Specialist Therapy Services – eating disorders, OCD and anxiety, trauma, psychosis, personality difficulties
- Private Therapy Clinics and NHSE-commissioned independent providers – high-intensity CBT delivery outside the NHS
CBT Specialisms We Cover:
CBT therapists increasingly specialise within their practice. We place therapists with experience in:
- Anxiety disorders – generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic, health anxiety, specific phobia
- Depression – including complex and treatment-resistant presentations
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-focused CBT
- OCD and BDD – including ERP-based approaches
- Eating disorders – CBT-E and related adaptations
- Psychosis and schizophrenia – CBTp
- Long-term conditions (LTC) – CBT adapted for physical health comorbidities
- Personality difficulties – schema-informed and CAT-adjacent approaches
- CYP CBT – children and young people-adapted protocols, parental involvement
Qualifications We Look For:
Every CBT therapist we place holds:
- A postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from an accredited training programme
- Full or provisional BABCP accreditation (most NHS and private services require this)
- Relevant post-qualification experience appropriate to the role and setting
- Valid DBS and current mandatory training
- For CYP roles: experience with children and young people and familiarity with age-appropriate CBT protocols
For Band 7 and senior roles, supervision training and experience supervising other therapists is increasingly expected.
Locum CBT Therapist Opportunities:
Locum CBT work spans a wide range of settings and delivery models – from full-time in-person community roles to remote NHS Talking Therapies contracts that can be undertaken alongside other commitments. Whether you want short-term cover between permanent posts, a longer-term locum arrangement, or flexible remote work, we’ll find options that fit your accreditation, experience and availability.
We have active CBT therapist requirements across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including fully remote roles available nationally.
Lets start the search for your next role in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT Therapist Pay Rates (2025/26):
Locum Band 6 CBT therapists in NHS Talking Therapies and community settings typically earn £28–£35 per hour. Band 7 high-intensity therapists with full BABCP accreditation and experience command £35–£47 per hour, with senior Band 7 and Band 8a roles in specialist or supervisory positions at the higher end.
Remote NHS Talking Therapies locum roles tend to sit at Band 7 rates given the expectation of autonomous delivery with minimal on-site supervision. Private sector and independent provider rates vary and are often negotiated per session or contract.
For permanent salaried roles, Band 6 runs from £38,682 to £46,580 (2025/26); Band 7 from £47,810 to £54,710.
Our consultants can advise on current going rates for your specific experience and setting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do I need full BABCP accreditation to work as a locum CBT therapist? Most NHS services and private providers require full or at minimum provisional BABCP accreditation. Some roles will consider therapists working towards accreditation if they have strong supervised experience. We’ll always be clear about what each role requires upfront.
- Are remote CBT locum roles available? Yes – remote and hybrid roles form a significant part of the locum CBT market, particularly within NHS Talking Therapies services. We have active remote roles available nationally.
- Do you place CYP CBT therapists as well as adult therapists? Yes. We place therapists with both adult and CYP experience, and those trained in CYP-specific CBT protocols for CAMHS and children’s community mental health services.
- What’s the difference between IAPT and NHS Talking Therapies? In 2023, the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme was renamed NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. The structure and clinical delivery are broadly unchanged – the name update reflects a broader rebranding of NHS mental health access services.
- What areas do you cover? We place CBT therapists across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including remote roles available throughout the UK.
Your future starts here!
Discover our latest opportunities or register with us today to unlock your potential!
Testimonials:
Latest Roles
-
CBT – CAMHS
Job Opportunity: CAMHS CBT Therapist | West London Are you a BABCP-accredited professional looking for a balanced, high-impact role? We are currently seeking a qualified […]View CBT – CAMHS job -
CBT – CAMHS West London (Hybrid)
Hunter Gatherer Mental Health are recruiting for a CAMHS CBT Therapist job in West London, supporting specialist mental health services for children and young people. […]View CBT – CAMHS West London (Hybrid) job