Careers within the IAPT initiative

The IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) initiative has distinctive features that are intended to make it a rewarding and exciting environment for the professionals who work in it. The IAPT services will all be led by experienced therapists. There is a strong emphasis on the availability of regular and supportive supervision for clinicians at all levels, as well as for professional and skills development.

Opportunities

The IAPT programme is a multidisciplinary initiative. However, by virtue of their distinctive training and experience psychologists are suited to play a central role. For candidates interested in a career in mental health, the opportunities ranges from graduate level to qualified psychologists:

• Psychology Graduates

Psychology graduates are well positioned to apply for new low-intensity worker training posts that are being advertised now. These opportunities are similar to existing psychology assistant and graduate worker posts, and would provide suitable experience for those wishing to go on and train as a clinical or counselling psychologist.

• Recently qualified clincal and counselling psychologists

Newly qualified psychologists can build on their existing training by applying for the new high-intensity training and therapist posts.

• Already qualified and experienced practitioners

Finally, more experienced clinical and counselling psychologists may be well suited to immediate appointment as experienced high-intensity therapists, supervisors and service leaders.

For further reading, please download the following information relating to the Department of Health IAPT Programme:

DoH IAPT Programme Commissioning.pdf

DoH IAPT Programme Low Intensity

DoH IAPT Programme High Intensity