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Ashley, one of our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners at our North Tyneside Talking Therapies Service talks about her role and why should consider joining their team

My name is Ashley and I am a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) working for Northumbria Healthcare’s North Tyneside Talking Therapies. I am based at Wallsend Health Centre but we  work from GP practices as well.

The role involves supporting patients who are living with mental health difficulties and have reached out for therapeutic support. My position consists of assessing and guiding patients through self-help cognitive behavioural therapy to help make a positive change.

I have been working as a PWP for two and a half years now, all of which has been with the North Tyneside Talking Therapies. The main thing that attracted me to the role was having the opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives, which sounds clichéd but it is true. I am a bit of a talker and love communicating with others, I would say I’m a people’s person, so this felt like the perfect match for me.

At times things can be challenging, but the team really are one of the closest and most supportive teams I have had the pleasure of working alongside. There is always someone on hand for support, advice or guidance and I have made some wonderful friends for life.

The thing that I love most about the role is the treatment aspect, encouraging patients to self-discover ways in which they can make a positive change and being a part of that journey is the best part of the job.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of the way we work, but we have adapted well and now we use the likes of Microsoft teams for meetings and Friday lunch catch ups, as well as having a wellbeing chat to help lift spirits whilst working from home.

Although it’s been a challenging year, a positive outcome is that we are now connected in more ways than ever before. We have been able to introduce a new option for therapy, which expands patient choice and has grown our skills further as practitioners.

My words to anyone considering applying to be a PWP here at North Tyneside Talking Therapies would be GO FOR IT! The role of PWP is an ongoing journey, there is a lot of opportunity to grow clinically through training etc and although like every role it has its own challenges it is very rewarding.

If you have a caring but resilient nature and are someone who enjoys empowering others to make positive change and is looking for a team who is supportive then this could be the role  for you.