As someone who has been helping professionals craft interview-winning CVs for over 25 years, I can confidently say that few roles are as vital and rewarding as that of an NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT Therapist). Within the NHS, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist works closely with patients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and a wide range of other mental health conditions. The role is both highly specialised and incredibly impactful, requiring empathy, clinical expertise, and excellent communication skills.
A CBT Therapist in the NHS typically works within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services or specialist secondary care teams. The job involves providing evidence-based CBT interventions, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, and monitoring patient progress against treatment plans. Salaries usually range from NHS Agenda for Change Band 6 (£35,392 to £42,618) for entry and developing practitioners, rising to Band 7 (£43,742 to £50,056) for experienced and senior CBT Therapists, with further opportunities to progress to Band 8 managerial roles.
For this reason, creating a powerful, clear, and targeted CV is essential. With hundreds of applicants often competing for the same NHS positions, the right CV can make all the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked. Today, I will guide you step by step through creating an NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist CV template example that is designed to win interviews.
Why a strong NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist CV matters
Your CV is not just a list of qualifications and jobs; it is your professional story, tailored to match the values and needs of the NHS. Recruiters and hiring managers want to quickly see evidence of your clinical competence, therapeutic approach, ability to work in pressured environments, and commitment to patient-centred care. A generic CV simply will not do. Instead, you must highlight your specialist CBT training, your understanding of NHS frameworks, and your proven track record in improving patient outcomes.
How to structure your NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist CV
A winning CV has a clear structure that guides the reader from your strongest professional highlights down to the supporting details. Here’s the format I recommend:
Professional Profile (Personal Statement)
This is your opening pitch. In four to six sentences, introduce yourself as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, state your level of experience, highlight your training (such as BABCP accreditation), and emphasise your commitment to delivering evidence-based therapy in line with NICE guidelines.
Example: “A dedicated NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with over six years of experience delivering high-intensity CBT interventions within IAPT services. Accredited by the BABCP and skilled in managing complex caseloads, I am passionate about empowering patients to achieve measurable recovery goals while contributing to the NHS’s mission of accessible, high-quality mental health care.”
Key Skills Section
Present a bullet-pointed list of your core CBT-related skills and NHS-relevant competencies. Include terms such as:
Delivery of evidence-based CBT interventions
Risk assessment and safeguarding
Collaborative care planning
Patient engagement and motivational interviewing
Data collection and outcome monitoring (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7)
Multi-disciplinary teamwork
Supervision and reflective practice
Professional Experience
List your roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on achievements rather than duties. Use bullet points to show how you made a difference:
“Delivered high-intensity CBT interventions to a caseload of up to 25 patients per week, achieving a 70% recovery rate in line with NHS IAPT targets.”
“Contributed to service development by designing group CBT workshops that improved patient access and reduced waiting times by 15%.”
Education and Training
Highlight your Postgraduate Diploma in CBT, BABCP accreditation, and any relevant additional training such as trauma-focused CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, or clinical supervision skills.
Professional Memberships and CPD
List memberships with BABCP, BPS, or other mental health organisations, alongside any recent CPD courses.
References
It’s common practice in the NHS to state that references are available upon request.
Advice for graduates entering NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
For those just starting out, your challenge is to make your academic and clinical training shine. Employers know that you may not have years of NHS experience, so focus on:
Your supervised clinical placements, specifying the types of patients you supported.
Your strong theoretical grounding in CBT principles.
Transferable skills from previous work or volunteering roles, such as communication, resilience, and teamwork.
A clear statement of your commitment to completing BABCP accreditation.
Keep your CV to two pages and ensure it looks neat, professional, and free from jargon.
Advice for mid-level CBT Therapists
If you have three to seven years of experience, your CV should show progression and increasing responsibility. NHS recruiters want to see evidence that you are capable of handling larger caseloads, training or supervising junior colleagues, and contributing to service quality improvements. Highlight:
Patient recovery rates achieved.
Any involvement in audits, service redesign, or innovative treatment programmes.
Experience of leading workshops, groups, or team-based interventions.
Evidence of ongoing CPD and clinical specialisms.
Advice for senior CBT Therapists and managers
At Band 7 and above, employers want to see leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to shape mental health services. In addition to clinical expertise, demonstrate:
Your experience in staff management and supervision.
Contributions to service-level outcomes, waiting list management, or funding proposals.
Leadership in safeguarding, governance, and patient safety.
Training and mentoring junior therapists or trainees.
Published research, conference presentations, or involvement in academic collaborations.
This level of CV must show you as both a clinical leader and a strategic thinker who can align with NHS priorities.
The Do’s and Don’ts of an NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapist CV
Do:
Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages.
Tailor your CV to the specific NHS Trust or service you are applying for.
Use clear, accessible language.
Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “achieved 80% recovery rates”).
Emphasise BABCP accreditation or progress towards it.
Don’t:
Use overly clinical jargon that a recruiter may not understand.
Include irrelevant personal details such as date of birth or marital status.
Write long paragraphs without bullet points – recruiters scan quickly.
Forget to proofread for typos and formatting errors.
Send the same generic CV to every job application.
Final tips for creating an interview-winning CV
Remember, your CV should not only show what you do but also how well you do it. Recruiters want to see evidence of your outcomes, your patient-centred approach, and your ability to thrive in the NHS environment. Make your personal profile compelling, keep your layout professional, and use strong action verbs such as “delivered,” “achieved,” “developed,” and “implemented.”
As a graduate, focus on training and placements. As a mid-level CBT Therapist, highlight your outcomes and contributions to service improvements. As a senior professional, lead with your strategic impact and leadership qualities.
Above all, approach your CV with confidence. You are applying for a role that changes lives and contributes directly to the wellbeing of patients and communities. Let your CV reflect both your competence and your passion.
A personal invitation from Jerry Frempong
For over 25 years, I’ve helped professionals across the UK land their dream NHS roles by transforming their CVs and LinkedIn profiles into powerful career tools. If you’re serious about securing your next role as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, don’t leave it to chance. Book a one-to-one consultation with me and let’s create a CV that gets you interviews and a LinkedIn profile that attracts the right opportunities.
👉 Book your appointment today and take the next step towards your career success.
