Creating an interview-winning CV for an NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) role is about far more than listing your qualifications and job history. It’s about showcasing your ability to help others, demonstrating your understanding of mental health interventions, and presenting yourself as a compassionate yet professional candidate. Over the past 25 years as a career coaching professional, I’ve seen countless CVs – some that opened doors instantly, and others that unfortunately closed them. Today, I’ll walk you through exactly how to build a CV that sets you apart, boosts your confidence, and secures those coveted NHS interviews.
The importance of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner role
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners are the backbone of NHS mental health services, particularly within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. PWPs work directly with patients experiencing common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. The role involves providing evidence-based low-intensity interventions, conducting assessments, supporting self-management strategies, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
It’s a role that demands both empathy and resilience. Your CV must show not only your academic background and clinical training but also your personal attributes: communication skills, emotional intelligence, and dedication to patient care. According to NHS salary bands, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner typically starts at Band 4 during training (£25,147–£27,596), progressing to Band 5 once qualified (£28,407–£34,581), with further progression possible into senior, supervisory, or specialist roles.
This means that presenting yourself effectively on paper is not just about securing a job – it’s about positioning yourself for a career path with genuine growth, financial stability, and above all, impact on people’s lives.
Why your NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner CV matters
The NHS receives thousands of applications for psychological roles each year. Recruiters and hiring managers spend on average less than 30 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to shortlist it. In such a competitive market, your CV must be crafted with precision, clarity, and relevance. A generic, poorly structured CV will not do justice to your abilities. Instead, you need a document that:
Highlights your IAPT-accredited training and relevant qualifications.
Demonstrates practical experience in mental health care, whether voluntary, academic, or professional.
Emphasises transferable skills such as active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Uses NHS-friendly keywords aligned with job descriptions.
Conveys your motivation for working within the NHS and improving patient wellbeing.
Let’s break down how to achieve all of this in a professional, polished way.
How to structure your NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner CV
Your CV should follow a logical structure, making it easy for recruiters to find the information they need quickly. The ideal length is two pages – concise yet comprehensive.
Contact details
Always start with your full name, professional email address, phone number, and location (town/city). There is no need to include full postal addresses anymore.
Professional profile (personal statement)
This is your opening pitch – a 4–6 line paragraph that explains who you are, your key skills, and what you bring to the NHS. For a PWP role, mention your training in evidence-based psychological interventions, your ability to engage with diverse patients, and your passion for supporting mental health recovery.
Key skills section
Bullet point 8–10 relevant skills. For example:
Cognitive behavioural therapy techniques
Patient assessment and triage
Low-intensity psychological interventions
Risk assessment and safeguarding
Group facilitation and workshops
Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
Case management and record keeping
Building therapeutic alliances
Employment history
List roles in reverse chronological order. For each position, include job title, organisation, dates, and bullet points of achievements and responsibilities. Focus on outcomes and impact rather than duties alone. For example, instead of “Responsible for conducting assessments,” write “Conducted over 150 patient assessments, identifying treatment pathways that improved access to therapy and reduced waiting times.”
Education and training
Include your PWP training (postgraduate or certificate level), psychology degree, or related courses. Also add relevant NHS or CPD training such as safeguarding, suicide prevention, or CBT workshops.
Professional development and volunteering
Many successful applicants include volunteering in mental health charities, student counselling roles, or support work. This shows commitment to the field and broadens your experience base.
References
Simply state “Available on request.”
Tailoring your CV for NHS applications
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is sending the same CV to every NHS job. Each application should be carefully tailored. Study the job description and person specification and align your wording. For example:
If the job description emphasises “managing high caseloads,” ensure your CV mentions “Successfully managed a caseload of 40+ clients weekly, ensuring timely interventions and effective treatment plans.”
If they stress “working with diverse communities,” include specific examples of supporting individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds.
Recruiters want evidence that you have read the role profile and reflected it in your application.
Advice for graduates entering the PWP role
If you are a psychology graduate or recently trained PWP, don’t worry about limited experience. Focus on:
Academic achievements in psychology, counselling, or mental health modules.
Placement experience, research projects, or dissertations related to mental health.
Transferable skills from retail, hospitality, or volunteering – such as communication, resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Demonstrating passion for patient wellbeing through involvement in student societies, peer mentoring, or advocacy projects.
Employers value potential, enthusiasm, and evidence of a genuine commitment to mental health care. A strong, well-presented CV can make up for gaps in direct experience.
Advice for mid-level and senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners
For those at Band 5 or above, your CV must demonstrate leadership, supervision, and service improvement. Employers will want to see:
Experience mentoring trainee PWPs.
Leading group interventions or workshops.
Contributions to service efficiency and improved patient outcomes.
Knowledge of service-level data collection and audit processes.
CPD and specialist training, such as working with long-term conditions or trauma-informed care.
Always highlight tangible achievements, for example: “Led implementation of digital therapy resources, increasing patient access by 20%.” This shows measurable impact.
Do’s and Don’ts when writing your Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner CV
Do’s
Keep your CV concise and focused – ideally two pages.
Use clear, professional formatting with consistent headings.
Tailor content to the NHS person specification.
Highlight both clinical and interpersonal skills.
Include strong action verbs such as “delivered,” “facilitated,” “implemented,” and “supported.”
Quantify achievements wherever possible.
Don’ts
Don’t include irrelevant part-time jobs unless they demonstrate transferable skills.
Don’t use generic personal statements such as “I am hardworking and motivated.” Be specific.
Don’t clutter your CV with dense paragraphs – use bullet points.
Don’t list every qualification from GCSEs onwards if you already have a degree.
Don’t forget to proofread – spelling and grammar errors can cost you interviews.
General CV writing tips from 25 years of coaching
Over the years, I’ve seen candidates who doubted themselves completely transform their confidence simply by presenting their skills in the right way. Remember:
Recruiters are not mind readers – if you don’t showcase your value clearly, they won’t guess it.
Employers are looking for people who can make a difference – not just tick boxes.
Your CV is your professional marketing brochure – it should inspire someone to pick up the phone and invite you for interview.
Invest the time to craft your CV, and it will reward you many times over in career opportunities.
Final words of encouragement
Becoming a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner is an incredibly rewarding career path. By supporting people in their mental health journey, you are contributing to healthier communities and stronger lives. A well-written CV is the key that unlocks that opportunity. Whether you’re just graduating or stepping into leadership, your CV should tell your story with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
I’ve helped thousands of professionals across the UK stand out with interview-winning CVs and LinkedIn profiles. If you’d like expert, one-to-one support to perfect your NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner CV and present yourself at your absolute best, I’d be delighted to help.
Book your personalised CV and LinkedIn consultation today: https://www.cvlondon.net/book-an-appointment/
