Psychological Well-being Practitioner (PWP) A New Chapter

Hello Everyone!

I have been writing little articles for a while now but this one is just to introduce my new role as a PWP. I will be blogging along the way and keeping you all updated on my journey throughout the programme. I have received a few questions via LinkedIn that I will also address. Enjoy!

What is a Psychological Well-being practitioner?

Firstly, a PWP is a fairly new role as part of the NHS IAPT service (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). This was initially designed to support individuals struggling with mild to moderate mental health conditions get back into work. The programme was so successful and has really grown. Psychological wellbeing practitioners are trained to assess and support people with common mental health problems – principally anxiety disorders and depression – in the self-management of their recovery. PWPs have a higher volume, lower intensity caseload. They utilize cognitive behavioural therapy principles and educate individuals on how to overcome their issues. This does not mean that more complex cases are not met by PWPs, but these cases will be referred onto higher intensity therapists/ more specialized treatment. Treatment can be delivered on a one-to-one basis either face to face, via telephone or online. Treatment can also be provided in a group setting. PWPs work with adults from many different backgrounds. PWPs work alongside high intensity therapists and other clinicians delivering evidence-based psychological therapies, as well as employment advisers and GPs.

The reach out guide would be useful to read for more a more in-depth overview of the PWP role.

https://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/schoolofpsychology/cedar/documents/Reach_Out_3rd_edition.pdf

Entry Requirements

The trainee programme will be affiliated with a University. A trainee’s time is split between working within a service and undergoing studies. For some programmes you will need to secure a place within a service first before applying to the University (University of Essex works this way). Alternatively, you may need to apply to the University who will then secure you a placement within a service (UCL works this way).

The programme for the Postgraduate Certificate will require you to have a related undergraduate degree (2.1 or above I believe). A few months (at least) experience working with individuals who have mental health conditions/ health care setting is also either a requirement or is very much desired.

Advice on applications

Advertisements for the role are usually open for a very small window so make sure you keep an eye out. I strongly recommend discussing the application process with a career advisor. I was able to do this through the University of Nottingham being an alumnus.

Use the job description as a template for your application. Hit each criterion in the description. For example- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem – ‘I have had experience working closely with people with a mental health problem’. Then list a couple of examples. Then move onto the next criteria. That way the person reading the application not only can follow the flow of what you are writing, but you are evidencing why you suit the role based on every single part of their criteria.

Interview stage

We all know interviews can be nerve racking, but it is essential to stay cool, calm and collected.

The interviews usually last around 40 minutes and do include a task of sorts. You could be asked to write a letter to your clients GP, or even do a role play. Whilst this may sound intimidating the important thing to remember is that you are applying for a trainee programme, you have not undergone the training yet! You are not expected to know what to do inside out. I think what is far more necessary is to demonstrate confidence, some insight into the conditions and empathy.

It might be useful to read up on the reach out guide, lower intensity CBT and talk to PWPs ahead of an interview.

The interview also included around 8 questions. The questions were targeted towards not only how well I would work doing the role, but also if I was capable of successfully studying at postgraduate level. For example, I was asked about my dissertation and how I completed my literature searches.

Something that the service wanted to ensure was that I would not be overwhelmed. They wanted to know about what self-care I practice and whether I was fully aware of the demands of the job. For instance, I was asked- What challenges do you think you will come across as a Trainee PWP and how will you manage these? I spoke about time-management - balancing the academic and placements aspects. I then spoke about the emotional challenges and being able to not take work home with you. Within this I spoke about supervision, self-care and how my previous experience has prepared me for this.

Questions

1) What previous experience have you had before applying and securing this role?

My experience has been a slightly unusual one so far. I completed my BSc in Psychology with a 2.1 in 2019. I then started applying for support worker roles. I was rejected several times since I had no work experience in a care setting. I reached out to lots of psychologists and counsellors to ask for shadowing experience which was all turned down based on confidentiality risk.

I then travelled to the Seychelles where I could complete a 2-month internship with the Ministry of Health. My hours were full time and involved shadowing the clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers. I was mainly in therapy sessions but also went over to their psychiatric unit for ward rounds. Note that usually the internships are unpaid- and I had to pay a fee to complete this.

(Some health professionals will allow you to shadow them in the UK, but it can be difficult to come by, unfortunately).

I then worked for a mental health charity based in Essex called ‘Chat 1st’ starting off as a youth peer support and then progressing to a well-being coordinator. I had experience working with lots of different clients (ranges of ages, backgrounds, and conditions). This was where I really grew in confidence working closely with people every-day. This lasted for around 10 months.

2) Is it competitive to secure a place on the programme?

In short, yes! It is competitive. The programmes receive lots of applications each time. This was not my first time applying for the programme. I applied when I had freshly completed my internship back in 2019 and was disheartened when I did not get a place. Looking back now, I was not ready for it- I needed more practical experience and I am glad that I did work for such a wonderful charity following this.

It does get frustrating trying to navigate through the pathways within clinical psychology. However, what I have come to realize is that- failing is a part of life. Getting the rejections will push you where you need to go at the time. Persistence is key and it shows that you are hard-working and more resilient. Do not let the fact that the programmes can be competitive dissuade you, keep working hard and your time will come!

3) Did you complete any further training before applying for the programme?

I did not do any masters courses after finishing my undergraduate degree. This training programme will award a PG Cert upon completion. For me personally, as a master’s degree was not a requirement, I felt it was more important to work and get experience before applying. Not to say that doing a masters is the wrong thing to do, I think it is a personal preference! Financial aspects as well can play a part in decision making here.

4) I am unsure if I want to work in mental health, is this a good programme to try to see if I am suited?

This is a slightly more difficult question to answer- of course this programme will really cement your desire to work with individuals with mental health conditions. However, I would say that the programme is targeted towards people who have already made that decision. The programme is a big commitment both energy and time wise. There is a high workload and there are vulnerable people needing support. To get onto the programme, you need to demonstrate that this is really what you want to do. I think it is probably better to start doing some voluntary work within mental health such as a charity to get some experience and see how you feel!

5) Would you have done anything differently?

If I could go back to when I was first studying my Psychology degree, I would have liked to have started getting some work experience then. I think something part-time or bank shift within a mental health service or a charity would have put me in a better position upon graduating. However, I was more concerned with studying and working on my degree at the time. A lot of services were not willing to allow me to work over the holidays- which I can understand as it isn’t a long time frame. Universities might be able to support you in getting some work experience even within the University itself with well-being services. Career advisors are also extremely useful resources to have.

I hope that this long blog was helpful! Feel free to ask me any more questions- or let me know if you have any topics you would like me to help with.

I will update my journey as the programme progresses and look forward to sharing with you all.