How to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner in the UK

Mental health issues are becoming more common in the UK and around the world. An NHS Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/4 found that one in five adults in England experiences issues like anxiety, depression, phobias, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

It's estimated that mental health problems cost the UK around £117.9 billion in 2019, mostly due to lost productivity, paid sick leave, and unpaid informal carers. This means that positions within mental health services are always going to be in demand.   

Our online Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc) can help you take your psychology skills to the next level in a flexible environment. It allows you to study and get the hands-on experience that you need to move into a psychological support role, such as that of a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP).  

What does a psychological wellbeing practitioner do? 

PWPs guide and support patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions, including assessing symptoms and delivering low-intensity interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), guided self-help, and psycho-educational strategies.  

Our BSc Psychology programme introduces you to these types of interventions and the psychological principles behind them, giving you a strong foundation to understand and support people’s mental health.  

Key responsibilities of a PWP

• Assess: The first step to treatment is conducting a risk assessment to identify if the patient poses a risk to themselves, or anyone else.  
• Determine: Once a risk assessment has been completed, you will be required to develop an appropriate treatment plan using low-intensity therapeutic methods including CBT, self-help or educational intervention.  
• Treat: Facilitate the execution of the treatment plan through regular meetings, either face-to-face, online or over the phone. 
• Facilitate: You may also be required to facilitate education and understanding with the patient’s family, or others involved in your patient’s treatment.  
• Communicate: Attend multidisciplinary meetings for referrals or patients in existing treatment, build strong professional relationships with primary and secondary care providers or even external parties such as local authorities, employers, housing, police, etc. Monitor and share information related to mental health and CBT to individuals, groups of carers, patients or professionals. 
• Continuous development: Undertake regular clinical supervision in line with relevant professional guidelines or policies and continue to stay up to date with the latest therapeutic trends and treatment updates.  
• Admin: It is vitally important for a PWP to ensure that all clinical activity records are maintained, and treatment decisions are kept up to date.  

How to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner

If you have always been fascinated with how the human mind works, are passionate about helping your community, and dream of a position that really makes a difference, this is your calling to become a PWP.  

Our BSc in Psychology will deepen your knowledge of what drives human thoughts, emotions, and actions. You'll explore a range of psychological perspectives and apply them to contemporary challenges – from mental health and wellbeing to decision-making, communication, and behaviour change – helping you make a meaningful impact in any professional setting. 

What qualifications do you need to be a PWP?

Entry typically requires a relevant bachelor’s degree and completion of postgraduate PWP training, often including supervised practise. Depending on your existing qualifications, your path to becoming a fully-fledged PWP may differ.  

If you already have a degree, you will need to undertake a postgraduate degree in psychology or a related subject.  

However, if you do not have any degree, you will need to complete the equivalent graduate level qualification first.  

Many PWPs have not undertaken formal education, but they do have the required experience working with people, particularly in some kind of mental health capacity.  

Employers filling mental health advisor jobs will generally look for experience in mental health, excellent interpersonal skills and a strong motivation to help others.  

Steps to becoming a PWP

Individuals usually follow these steps: 

1. Complete the relevant undergraduate studies  
2. Gain experience through placements or internships  
3. Undertake recognised PWP training  
4. Apply for roles in settings such as NHS Talking Therapies services 
5. Optional specialisations can be considered 

PWP specialisations

As a qualified and experienced PWP, you will then be able to specialise further. Some of the specialisations you can consider include: 

• Industrial and organisational psychology 
• School psychology 
• Mental health nursing 
• Child and adolescent psychotherapy 
• Sports psychology  
• Family and systemic psychotherapy  
• Forensic psychology 
• Clinical risk assessments   

What personal qualities would be ideal for a PWP?

Some of the day-to-day qualities that will help you succeed in the role of a PWP include: 

• Being people-orientated, empathetic and caring  
• Working well within a team  
• The ability to motivate and maintain a positive demeanour  
• Strong communication skills  
• Problem-solving skills 
• Organisational and time management skills  
• Ability to work under pressure  
• Driver’s license is beneficial  

Do these qualities sound like you? If you’re unsure whether this is the right career path or what’s needed to become a fully qualified PWP, our friendly admissions team is here to help.  

What job opportunities are available for psychological wellbeing practitioners?

Having the skills and qualifications necessary to become a PWP can open the doors for several positions across a variety of industries, including, but not limited to being hired by the NHS or associated therapy services such as Mind, Turning Point, Rethink Mental Illness, or even HM Prison Service.  

There is also opportunity to be employed as a mental health advisor by hospitals, GP surgeries, health centres, psychological treatment centres or within the private sector at companies who are investing in mental health initiatives.  

Career progression will see you start as a trainee PWP but can lead to senior roles or related psychological therapy positions, with optional specialisations that can enhance your competitiveness when looking for PWP jobs.  

The NHS also continues to prioritise the expansion of access to mental health care within the UK, with a particular focus on Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, now falling under the NHS Talking Therapies.   

A 2023 discussion paper for a mental health and wellbeing plan from the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care states “that mental ill-health is the second most common cause of years lived with disability in England”. Their aim is to develop a mental health improvement plan that will contribute to delivering the government’s levelling up mission to increase healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035. 

This drive from government to improve mental health services means that studying a psychology degree is a sure-fire way to secure your future.  

How much does a PWP get paid? 

Salaries for PWPs in the UK can vary regionally, with more experienced practitioners earning higher wages.  

According to the NHS Agenda for change (AfC) pay rates, as a trainee PWP you will start in Band 4 at around £26,530 per annum.  

Once you progress into a fully qualified PWP position, you will move into Band 5 where you are likely to start earning £29,970 per annum, progressing up each pay point until you reach top of scale.  

You can then progress into a senior PWP salary starting at Band 6, 7 and 8a which includes taking on additional management and leadership responsibilities or moving into a clinical specialisation where you can then earn between £37,338 (bottom of Band 6) to £60,504 (top of Band 8a).  

Tips for making yourself more competitive as a PWP

Here are some practical ways to boost your chances of getting hired when looking at PWP jobs and standing out in the field of mental health services.  

• Volunteer: Gain experience working with those who have mental health issues by volunteering your time. Long-term volunteering also highlights your commitment to, and passion for helping others.  
• Intern: Find an internship or consider vocational training to help you develop the necessary skills and experience.  
• CPD training: Continuous professional development (CPD) allows you to stay up to date on new research and therapeutic methodologies.  
• Soft skills development: Cultivating your soft skills such as your ability to listen actively, communicate effectively and build rapport will go a long way to enhancing your skill and ability as a PWP.  
• Self-promotion: Use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, to promote your skills and knowledge and to meet other professionals in the mental health field to build connections. You never know what may come from putting yourself out there.  

Additional career options when you study a BSc in Psychology

A Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc) enables you to explore a variety of career options from counselling, social work or even human resources and marketing, as well as developing cross-functional skills in research, human behaviour and even statistics.  

This can lead to a wide range of exciting job opportunities in fields such as:  

• Mental health services 
• Marketing, advertising and sales  
• Journalism and public relations  
• Government or law enforcement  
• Human resources 

Ranked among the UK’s Top 5 for graduate prospects in psychology (Complete University Guide, 2024), Aston University’s online BSc in Psychology is your launchpad to real-world professional roles and rewarding career opportunities. 

Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, education, business, or the public sector, your psychology skills will open doors. Plus, with your unique insight into human behaviour, you’ll be ready to thrive in any career where understanding human behaviour is key.   

Download the programme brochure to learn more or get in touch with our admissions team to find out more about whether this is the right programme for you.