Psychological wellbeing practitioner

Career path and progression

With experience, you could train as a high intensity therapist, working with people with complex mental health needs.   You could also lead a team or develop new mental health services.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• to be flexible and open to change
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to enjoy working with other people
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Psychology - Psychological wellbeing practitioners use psychological theories and models every day to understand and treat mental health conditions. They apply techniques like cognitive behavioural approaches to help patients manage anxiety, depression, and other common mental health problems.
• English Language - Psychological wellbeing practitioners spend much of their time conducting patient assessments, running therapy sessions, and writing detailed care records. Being able to listen carefully, ask the right questions, and communicate clearly – both in speech and in writing – is essential to this work.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Psychological wellbeing practitioners need to understand how social factors like poverty, inequality, and community can affect a person's mental health. This awareness helps them consider the wider context of a patient's life when assessing their needs and signposting them to appropriate services.
• Biology - Psychological wellbeing practitioners benefit from understanding how the brain and nervous system influence mood, stress responses, and mental health. Knowledge of how biological processes interact with psychological wellbeing helps them explain conditions to patients and work effectively alongside other healthcare professionals.
• Mathematics - Psychological wellbeing practitioners use standardised questionnaires and scoring systems to measure how severe a patient's symptoms are and track their progress over time. Understanding data and basic statistics helps them interpret these results and evaluate whether treatments are working.
• Philosophy - Psychological wellbeing practitioners regularly face ethical questions about patient confidentiality, consent, and the boundaries of their role. Studying philosophy develops the kind of careful, logical thinking needed to navigate these dilemmas and reflect on what it means to support someone's wellbeing.
• Religious Studies - Psychological wellbeing practitioners work with people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and a person's beliefs can deeply influence how they experience and talk about mental health. Understanding different worldviews helps practitioners offer sensitive, respectful support to every patient.