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What's the difference between a PWP and a PCMHW?

What is the difference between a Psychological Well-being Practitioner and a Primary Care Mental Health Worker?
I'm not exactly sure what a PCMHW is/does, but I'm guessing they are similar to support workers / healthcare assistants / nursing assistants but with a more specific focus and training. You'll have to research them.

but PWP's are part of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). You do a one year university course to become accredited and can then go on to do CBT therapist training. IAPT is essentially the gateway to mental health for the wider population - depression, anxiety, phobia etc. You do face to face and phone sessions with people, delivering session based CBT work.
What is the difference between a Psychological Well-being Practitioner and a Primary Care Mental Health Worker?

PMCMHW and graduate mental health workers predate the IAPT programme (where PWPs work), and these roles were traditionally deployed in primary care/GP surgeries to mop up some of the overspill that GPs and nurses were too overstretched to handle, but didn't warrant a referral to a community mental health team or more specialist service. They often worked using manualised forms of treatment or doing more routine monitoring but could often take a broader role (supporting GPs, doing outreach). They were often more autonomous than support workers and had a more flexible role.

PWPs are an IAPT role that came online in the mid 2000s. They are trained in delivering evidence based (usually CBT based) low intensity treatments and are generally integrated as part of an IAPT service. Their role is supposed to be more specific and focussed. While in the past many have gone onto train as full CBT therapists, IAPT services are putting a stop to this as it leads to retention/staffing problems.
Original post by Lord Asriel
What is the difference between a Psychological Well-being Practitioner and a Primary Care Mental Health Worker?

PMCMHW and graduate mental health workers predate the IAPT programme (where PWPs work), and these roles were traditionally deployed in primary care/GP surgeries to mop up some of the overspill that GPs and nurses were too overstretched to handle, but didn't warrant a referral to a community mental health team or more specialist service. They often worked using manualised forms of treatment or doing more routine monitoring but could often take a broader role (supporting GPs, doing outreach). They were often more autonomous than support workers and had a more flexible role.

PWPs are an IAPT role that came online in the mid 2000s. They are trained in delivering evidence based (usually CBT based) low intensity treatments and are generally integrated as part of an IAPT service. Their role is supposed to be more specific and focussed. While in the past many have gone onto train as full CBT therapists, IAPT services are putting a stop to this as it leads to retention/staffing problems.


Thank you!
Reply 4
They are definitely not support workers. Pcmhw were the same as PWP. Pre IAPT that is all. Same course. Level 7. Paid at band 5 on qualification.like a qualified nurse.I am one. The work is complex and demanding. If anything underpaid.
Reply 5
Hi , Is there any differences with PWP and CBT ? . If so , which one is more beneficial for job / career prospects. Many Thanks
(edited 3 years ago)

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