Trainee Therapist Academy
Is the course full-time or part-time?
The course is full-time, Monday to Friday. It is anticipated that you will have approximately 40 hours of studying each week. The general working day is from approximately 9:00 to 17:30.
What are the course modules?
The course consists of five modules:
Module One (4 weeks, full-time): Study includes self directed study on our online learning management system, face-to-face workshops, and online workshops. Successful completion awards a training grant of £1,000.
Module Two (4 weeks, full-time): Study includes online live workshops and face-to-face workshops. Successful completion awards a training grant of £1,000.
Module Three (4 weeks, full-time): Study consists of all face-to-face workshops. Successful completion awards a training grant of £2,000.
Module Four (Clinical Placement): The minimum requirement is 20 hours a week (may be part-time or full-time), you may be asked to work any day of the week.
Module Five (Optional): Work towards BABCP accreditation as a high-intensity CBT therapist.
What is the remuneration structure?
Grants (tax free) are provided for successful completion of the first three modules, and a salary begins with the clinical placement:
Successful completion of Module One: £1,000 training grant
Successful completion of Module Two: £1,000 training grant
Successful completion of Module Three: £2,000 training grant
Clinical Placement (Module Four) and Module Five: A salary of £26,500 per year (for full time).
Who will be teaching me?
Our teachers at Towards are highly experienced clinicians and trainers. All the teachers have several years experience of teaching in universities. Some of the teachers are from the University of Exeter.
What happens during the clinical placement?
Trainees must work in the Hub a minimum of 20 hours per week. Whilst on placement, trainees will complete 240 hours of closely supervised practice and maintain a clinical portfolio. Trainees are assessed throughout the placement. Trainees work with a range of presentations including depression, anxiety disorders, grief, stress and long term health conditions.
What is the assessment process?
The programme has a robust assessment process that includes formative and summative assessments. Your behavior in the classroom, attitude to learning, and general professional behavior are also assessed.
Will I be able to hold other employment or undertake other study?
No. This is a very robust and demanding training programme, and it is not anticipated that trainees will be able to undertake any other form of study or part-time employment.
How do I apply, and what are the stages?
The application process follows three stages:
Stage 1: Submit a CV and a covering letter, which are screened for typographical errors and coherent writing.
Stage 2: Successful candidates are invited to complete a psychometric test and record three short videos following explicit instructions.
Stage 3: Successful candidates from Stage 2 are invited to a face-to-face group interview lasting approximately four hours (refreshments provided). The interview is non-competitive and includes an information session and a clinical skills workshop with role-play exercises.
What are the minimum requirements for application?
You must be over the age of 21 and have had some experience working with the public. There is no upper age limit, and applications are welcome from all walks of life.
Where is the programme based?
We always train a new cohort of therapists each time we open a new Hub. Therefore, the programme moves around the country.
What are the two strands of the training programme?
The program has two main strands:
Adult Therapists: Taught Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Children and Young People's Therapists: Taught Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
You will be asked to decide which strand you wish to join at the interview.
What qualification will I receive, and how long does the programme take?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be supported to work towards BABCP accreditation. The full programme is anticipated to take three to four years.
Who are Towards partnered with for this programme?
Towards has partnered with the University of Exeter, who helped develop the training programs, assist with teaching and assessing trainees, and are undertaking a research study to explore the efficacy of the training programme.