Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Salary in the UK: What to Expect in 2024

In this blog post, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the salary expectations for CBT therapists in the UK, considering various factors such as qualifications, experience, and employment settings. Understanding these salary ranges can help aspiring therapists make informed career decisions and navigate the job market effectively.

Factors Influencing CBT Therapist Salaries

Needless to say, the salary of CBT therapists vary significantly based on several factors:

• Qualifications and Education Level
  Therapists with advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctorate in psychology or counselling, often command higher salaries. Additionally, specialised training and certifications in CBT can enhance earning potential.
  
• Years of Experience
  Entry-level therapists may start with a lower salary, but as they gain experience and build a reputation in the field, their earning potential increases. Experienced therapists with a proven track record of successful client outcomes typically earn higher salaries.
  
• Geographical Location within the UK
  The location where a CBT therapist practices can also influence their salary. Therapists working in larger cities or regions with a high cost of living, such as London, tend to earn more than those in rural or less densely populated areas. Regional demand for mental health services can also affect salary levels.
  
• Specialisations and Additional Certifications
  CBT therapists who have additional certifications or specialisations in specific areas, such as trauma, addiction, or child and adolescent therapy, may have higher earning potential. These specialisations can make therapists more attractive to employers and clients, allowing them to charge premium rates for their expertise.

Type of Employment (NHS vs. Private Practice)

Another important factor affecting the salary of cognitive behavioural therapists are the type of employment. Therapists working for the National Health Service (NHS) are typically paid according to standardised pay scales, which can be more predictable but may offer less earning potential compared to private practice. In contrast, therapists in private practice can set their rates, potentially leading to higher earnings, though this can also come with greater variability and the need for self-promotion.

If you’re considering to set up a private therapy practice, it can be a good idea to calculate backwards and find out how many clients you’d need to support the salary level you desire. Here is an example:

Salary Goal: £40,000 / year
Average price per therapy session: £80
Total sessions required each year to reach your salary goal: 500
Average number of therapy sessions required per month: 42

The above is of course an over-simplified example. In reality you’d also need to include the operational costs of your practice. It’s always smart to start out by making a simple budget.

If you are looking to set up a private practice, read our guide on the topic.

Average salary for cognitive behavioural therapists in the UK

According to the UK National Careers Service, the salaries of cognitive behavioural therapists range from £35,000 a year for entry level positions and up to £50,000 a year for more experienced therapists. Typical work hours range from 37 to 39 a week.

These levels seem to be representative also when cross-referencing several different sources:

• Glassdoor, a website where employees can anonymously submit their salaries, reports a range from £37,000 to £46,000 with the average being £41,174. The numbers are based on 205 salaries and are reportedly of high confidence.
• Similarly, Talent.com reports a range from £40,989 to £56,550, with a median of £44,666.

Keep in mind that these are average numbers and mostly based on the salary levels you can expect working in the public sector and the NHS. The salary for therapists in private practice differs likely substantially. 

Cognitive behavioural therapists in private practice - what salary can you expect?

The honest answer to this question is: it depends. When it comes to salaries for privately practicing therapists they are as diverse as their therapists.

In private practice, your salary ultimately depends on two main factors: how much you want to work and how many clients you are able to attract.

One of the main benefits of working in private practice is the freedom to work when and where you want. For many therapists, maximising salary is not necessarily the goal, but rather a healthy work-life balance. However, attracting enough clients to reach your desired revenue isn’t always easy and it may take time to establish a large enough client-base. Many therapists start out with a part-time practice in addition to their day jobs. However, if you’re able to build a thriving private practice with a steady stream of clients, it’s definitely possible to work full-time and make a healthy income.

In Konfidens we support the entire range of therapists: from those seeing only 2-3 clients weekly, to those conducting almost 200 sessions a month! Returning to our rough salary estimation we can quickly list a few potential revenue levels depending on the size of your practice. For this example calculation, we’ve assumed that each client receives therapy weekly at a rate of £80:

• 5 clients = £20,800 / year
• 10 clients = £41,600 / year
• 20 clients = £83,200 / year

These numbers may seem appealing compared to working full-time. However, don’t forget that this is top-level revenue and that working independently usually comes with many costs, such as office rent, accountant, website, marketing and more. There’s also time spent on non-paying work such as administration, client communication, accounting and more.

💡 For therapists looking to minimise the time spent on administration, Konfidens has several handy features to automate and organise private therapy practices, mental health clinics and charities.

 As mental health awareness continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled CBT therapists, making it a promising and rewarding field to pursue. Stay informed, continue developing your skills, and take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in this vital profession.