How to Become a CBT Therapist — Start Here

Imagine helping someone break free from anxiety they’ve struggled with for years. That could be your Tuesday. If you’re asking how to become a CBT therapist in the UK, here’s the short version:

First, build a background in mental health or psychology, then choose and take a CBT training course that BABCP has approved. After that, you build up supervised practice hours and apply to become officially approved.Once you finish that, you can start working in the NHS, charities, schools, or even private practice.

But the longer version? That’s where the real story begins. This isn’t just about ticking boxes; this is about choosing a job where you change people’s lives—and your own.

What Does a CBT Therapist Actually Do?

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It’s one of the most trusted kinds of talking help out there. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is all about helping people see how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are linked.

As a CBT therapist, you’ll help people who are going through hard times—like worry, sadness, OCD, bad memories, or other problems. You’ll help them understand what’s happening, change unhelpful habits, and build useful tools they can use every day—not just when they see you.

It’s more than just talking—it’s about real change. It’s real change. You’re not only there to listen—you’re there to guide.

Why This Path? Why CBT?

If you want a job that has a purpose, this is it.

CBT therapy gives people real hope. It’s not about advice or quick fixes—it’s about helping people understand themselves better and take control of their lives. And it works.

This is also a job with structure. There’s a clear training path, good pay, and real job safety. But more than that, it matters. You’ll go home knowing you made someone’s day—or week—just a little easier to get through.

How to Become a CBT Therapist: Start with the Basics

Before you start CBT training, you need a good beginning. That usually means one of two things:

You either have a school degree in something like mind health, nursing, or helping people—or you’ve spent a few years working in mind health jobs. If you don’t have a school degree, you can still join through what’s called the KSA way. That just means showing that you’ve learned the right skills and facts through real work.

You also need to be good with people. That means knowing how to listen, how to talk about hard things, and how to build trust. These are things you can learn—but they matter.

The Main Step: Take a BABCP-Approved CBT Course

Once you’re ready, you’ll need to take a CBT course that’s approved by BABCP. That’s the main group that sets the rules for CBT therapists in the UK. If your course isn’t approved by them, it won’t count toward becoming a therapist.

Most people take one of these:

• A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
• A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
• Or a full MSc in CBT

The courses mix classroom learning with real therapy work. You’ll help real clients, get weekly help from a teacher, write case studies, and even record sessions to go over with your tutor.

Courses are offered at places like Goldsmiths, Oxford, Cardiff, and Reading. Just make sure the one you pick says “BABCP-approved.”

How to Become a CBT Therapist for Adults or Young People

You’ll need to choose who you want to work with—adults or children and young people. Your course will focus on one or the other.

If you want to work with adults, you’ll usually apply for a High-Intensity CBT training course. These are often linked to NHS jobs and focus on things like anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma.

If you’d rather work with children or teens, you’ll take a CYP CBT course (CYP stands for Children and Young People). These focus on how to help under-18s through family work, school-based problems, and youth mental health.

Some courses focus on both, but most people pick one path at the start.

Training Options That Fit Your Life

There are different ways to do your CBT training, depending on where you’re at in life.

Full-time courses are great if you can focus completely on training for a year or two. You’ll study, go to placements, and qualify faster.

Part-time courses are good if you’re already working. These usually run over 18 to 24 months. You might go to class just once or twice a week and work the other days.

Some places also have blended courses, where you learn partly online and partly in person. These are helpful if you need more freedom.

Get Paid to Train: NHS Trainee Roles

One of the most popular ways to train is through a paid role in the NHS. These jobs are called trainee CBT therapist roles.

Here’s how it works:

You apply through NHS Jobs. If you get the role, you’ll work in a local mental health team, get a salary (usually Band 6), and study part-time through a partner university. Your course is fully paid for.

This is a great way to learn, earn, and get real experience at the same time.

The Heart of It: Supervised Practice

CBT training isn’t just about learning ideas. It’s about doing the work. From early on, you’ll be working with real clients.

To qualify, build up around 200 hours of therapy practice. Each week, meet with a CBT teacher to talk about what’s going well, what’s hard, and what to try next. Along the way, write case studies, record your sessions, and reflect on what you’re learning.

This is where you grow the most.

Become BABCP Accredited

Once you finish your course and your hours, you’ll apply for BABCP approval. This is the final step that makes it official. You’ll be added to their public list, and most employers (especially the NHS) ask for this.

You’ll need to send in proof of your course, practice hours, teacher notes, and case studies. It can take a few months, but once you’re done, you’re all set.

To keep your status, just do about 30 hours of training each year and renew every five years.

Where Can You Work as a CBT Therapist?

Once you’re ready, you’ve got options.

Many therapists work in the NHS—either in Talking Therapies for adults or CAMHS for kids. But you can also work in:

• Charities like Mind or YoungMinds
• Schools and colleges
• Private clinics
• Or even start your own practice later on

Some people stay in one place. Others try different settings and find what fits best. You get to build a job that works for you.

What Kind of Person Becomes a CBT Therapist?

You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. But the people who do well in this job usually share a few things. They think clearly, stay calm when things get tough, and others feel safe around them. They’re the kind of person you’d want close when life feels hard.

They’re also eager to learn. They ask questions, want to understand, and keep getting better. A good CBT therapist can be nice and truthful at the same time. They don’t hide the truth, but they say it in a way that feels kind, not mean.

Most importantly, they can sit with someone who’s having a hard time—not to fix everything right away, but to help them take it one small step at a time. If that sounds a bit like you, or who you’d like to be, this could be a great path for you.

How Long Does It All Take?

The short answer? Around five to seven years. But it’s not five years of sitting in a classroom. It’s five years of learning, working, and building something real.

Most people spend a few years getting a degree or working in mental health. After that, CBT training takes about one or two years, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. Once you’ve finished the course, it takes a few months to get your final hours and apply for approval.

Yes, it’s a big step. But you’re doing work that matters the whole way through. And when you qualify, you’ll start a job that helps people every single day.

So… How Do You Start?

If you’re still reading, it probably means this matters to you. So, let’s talk about your next step. First, check if you have the right background. That could be a degree in psychology or a few years working in mental health. If not, the KSA path might still work for you.

Then, look at CBT courses that are approved by BABCP. These are the ones that matter.

Think about what works for you—full-time, part-time, or a bit of both.

Want to earn while you train?

Check out trainee CBT therapist roles on NHS Jobs. You’ll get paid and trained at the same time. Then take one step—just one. Apply for a course, a job, or even just download a course guide. That’s how it begins. One move forward. And your future self? They’ll be glad you did.

If becoming a CBT therapist feels like the right path for you, our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Online at Open Learning Academy is a great place to start. Enrol today and begin your journey.