NHS-funded training programme

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NHS-funded training programme

The NHS -funded programme is a landmark initiative providing fully funded postgraduate training in high intensity psychotherapeutic counselling within NHS Talking Therapies services in England.

Launched in September 2022 by five of the six PCPB partners in collaboration with NHS England, the programme aims to expand access to counselling and psychotherapy careers and diversify the workforce by removing financial barriers to training in the profession. The five participating partners are:

UKCP holds the role of lead accrediting body.

Key facts about the training programme

Modalities

Students have modality–specific training to deliver a psychotherapeutic counselling specialism in NHS services. These approaches have included: person-centred experiential counselling for depression, dynamic interpersonal therapy and couples therapy for depression.

Delivered by expert providers

The training is delivered by: Metanoia Institute (person-centred experiential counselling for depression), Tavistock Relationships (couples therapy for depression) and University of Roehampton (dynamic interpersonal therapy).

PCPB collaboration

The accreditation of the programme is a collaborative effort between five of the six PCPB organisations – ACC, BACP, BPC, NCPS, and UKCP – with UKCP acting as the lead accrediting body.

Emphasis on real-world NHS experience

Students gain clinical experience within NHS Talking Therapies services, preparing them for direct entry into the NHS workforce upon graduation.

Building a skilled, diverse workforce

As part of the initiative, trainees are employed by the NHS Talking Therapies service provider for the duration of their training. These are spread across all seven NHS regions in England. Most graduates are offered band 7 roles in the NHS at the end of their training.

Year one of the programme is a foundational course. This is followed by a two-year postgraduate diploma aligned with column B of the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework.

Accreditation of the programme is provided by the participating PCPB partners. A dedicated quality assurance committee oversees standards, with all courses meeting the National Curriculum for High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling, SCoPEd column B requirements and the relevant competences in the NHS Talking Therapies manual for each modality.

Beyond improving accessibility and inclusivity, the programmes also aim to broaden the range of therapies available in the NHS, challenge the dominance of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and lay the foundations for future funded training opportunities.

Milestones and next steps

Initial cohort

The first cohort of students started in 2022 and graduates in 2025. It was initially known as the NHS Pathways project.

Next cohort

In spring 2025, funding was announced for a second cohort and their training will begin in the autumn 2025 term.  

Training programme news and updates

NHS Pathways
16 May 2025

NHS Pathways pilot programme extended

We are excited to confirm that NHS England is extending the NHS Pathways pilot programme to a further cohort of students. 

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NHS Pathways
10 December 2024

Students enter final year of landmark psychotherapeutic training

Students taking part in a landmark project which fully funds postgraduate psychotherapeutic training within NHS services have now started their third and final year.

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NHS Pathways
3 April 2023

Five SCoPEd partners to accredit NHS training pilot

Five SCoPEd partners have reached an agreement with NHS Talking Therapies to accredit a new NHS postgraduate training pilot.

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