Vita Health Group launches employee training academy to meet demand for mental health practitioners

Vita Health Group has launched a unique employee training programme in response to the recognised shortage and growing demand of appropriately qualified psychological therapists.

The Vita Health Group Mental Health Training Academy is the first and only programme to exist in which a corporate mental health service will work in collaboration with universities to provide the internal training and development of psychological therapists that meet professional organisation requirements, that is: BABCP, BPS and BACP.

The demand for Mental Health Counsellors in the UK has risen by 671% in the past year and it is expected that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic upon the population’s mental health will lead to an even greater need for therapists required to deliver mental health care.

This year, The Vita Health Group Mental Health Training Academy is working in partnership with The University of Manchester and the University of Chester to provide seven of its staff members with the training required to become Psychological Well-being Practitioners and Cognitive Behavioural Therapists.

All learning will be delivered remotely and therapists in training will be closely supervised and monitored by a Clinical Supervisor within Vita Health Group’s robust governance structure.

Mark Armour, Director of Corporate Health, says: “The need for mental wellbeing clinicians has never been greater. Whilst accredited training courses are high in quality, they often do not provide the specialist vocational focus within treatment. The Vita Health Group Mental Health Training academy will plug the gap that exists and will play a key role in ensuring the nation can meet the growing demand of mental health services in the UK“.

Mark Armour, Director of Corporate Health

“Vita Health Group is proud to be the first and only corporate mental health service to be granted the ability to work in collaboration with universities to provide the internal training and development of psychological therapists. The vision of the Vita Health Group Mental Health Training Academy is to enable the progression of employees and enhance user outcomes and experience. It is well recognised and established that providers who offer development of clinicians in training continue to develop their internal standards of delivery, governance and improve their overall outcomes for services and individual users.”

Vita Health Group’s academy will be led by the organisation’s Clinical Lead, Sally Tribe, and will be supported by Service Lead, Cathy Smith.