New figures have revealed a rise in counsellors and psychotherapists working in the NHS.

The data shows an 18% increase in counsellors, 19% in psychotherapists working with adults, 42% in psychological therapists and 13% in CBT therapists, working in the NHS in 2023 to 2024 compared to 2022 to 2023. It also reveals a four per cent reduction in child and adolescent psychotherapists in the same time period.

The data comes from the and has been released by NHS England and the NHS Benchmarking Network.

Only 168 organisations responded out of 726 invited to submit data, although this was an increase from 140 the previous year.

The release of the figures comes ahead of an expected refresh and republication of the 2023 NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and NHS 10 Year Plan in June.

Expanding the psychological professions workforce

The workforce plan committed to expanding the psychological professions workforce by between 24,000 and 26,000 practitioners (nearly double its current size) by 2037.

Matthew Smith-Lilley, our Policy and Engagement Lead for Mental Health, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging to see increasing numbers of counsellors and psychotherapists in the NHS. This is a positive upward trend. However, we recognise that there are gaps in the data because of responses missing from some organisations. The key data presented is very likely to be an under estimation of the true numbers of psychological professionals working within the NHS.

鈥淭he near doubling of the psychological professions workforce between now and 2037 is an incredibly ambitious programme of expansion and will present many opportunities for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Conversations with Government and commissioners

鈥淎s we look towards the refresh of this plan, we reiterate our calls on the Government to give a greater role and prominence to counsellors and psychotherapists in the workforce. Our members鈥� skills, competences and experience is a rich source of talent that could be utilised to a much greater extent within the NHS workforce. We continue to engage with the NHS and welcome any further conversations with Government and commissioners locally, to discuss how best to bring more counsellors and psychotherapists into roles within the health service."聽 聽

Organisations may not have responded to the survey due to lack of capacity and resources to collect data, or that the figures were not readily available.

90% of mental health trusts responded, but only 16% of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

The data revealed that of those counsellors recorded within the census, 65% work in NHS Talking Therapies, 16% in Children and Young People鈥檚 Community Mental Health and 13% in Adult Community Mental Health.

Fighting for pay equity

Responses submitted from NHS Talking Therapies reveal that 63% of staff are paid at Band 7 and 29% are paid at Band 6, with 36% of counsellors employed within NHS Talking Therapies paid at band 7 or above.

Matthew added: 鈥淭he salary data reinforced the need for us to continue fighting for pay equity within NHS Talking Therapies. This is an area where we have already made some progress, but will continue to work on to support our members.鈥�

Concerns over potential cuts

The workforce figures come as a separate survey reveals concerns over possible cuts within NHS Trusts, that could affect talking therapies services.

A survey by found that nearly half of trust leaders (47%) warned they are scaling back services to deliver tough financial plans, with a further 43% considering this option.

Virtual wards, rehabilitation centres, talking therapies and diabetes services for young people are among those services identified at risk.

Matthew said: "While the workforce census figures look positive, they come at a time when local NHS leaders are having to make extremely tough choices. We must avoid complacency in our approach to securing opportunities for members to work in NHS services. We'll continue to monitor what's happening as part of our engagement with commissioners, NHS and Government, and to work for more opportunities for our members in the NHS."