23 Apr 2025 ● Harmonia Careers
Rising Demand for Mental Health Professions in the UK
The current landscape for mental health professionals
The UK continues to experience a significant increase in the demand for mental health professionals, driven by rising rates of mental health conditions and the longer-term impact of events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
This has led to a shortage of qualified professionals, particularly in areas such as psychological therapies and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to improve access to care and expand services, including mental health support, by increasing training places and expanding existing services. However, recruitment and retention challenges remain significant hurdles to achieving these goals.
It is anticipated the workforce of psychologists, psychological therapists and psychological practitioners needs to grow by over 60% from the 2019 baseline by 2024, contributing a third of the overall growth required in the mental health workforce.
— NHS England
What's driving this growth?
Increased Awareness
Greater recognition of mental health issues and the importance of accessing support have led to a surge in demand for mental health professionals.
Expansion of Services
The NHS and other private healthcare providers are expanding mental health services, creating more opportunities for professionals.
Government Initiatives
Government policies and initiatives, such as the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and the NHS Long Term Plan, are contributing to the growth of the mental health workforce.
Growing Demand in Schools
The increasing focus on mental health support in schools has created demand for roles like School Counsellors, SEN Assistants and Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs).
Our top 5 picks for growing mental health professions in 2025
Psychological therapist
While a precise number of UK vacancies for High Intensity or Psychological Therapists isn't readily available, there currently over 10,000 trainee and qualified positions available with the NHS and other services in the UK.
The Psychological Professions Workforce Census reports that there were 25,406 whole time equivalent (WTE) psychological professionals in April 2023. This number is expected to continue to rise as the NHS expands its mental health services.
Art therapist
While a precise number for all creative therapy roles is difficult to pinpoint, the increasing demand for these allied health professionals is evident across the UK, specifically within the NHS and school settings.
Creative art therapy provides a unique way for people to express their emotions and experiences, fostering healing and personal growth. Schools are increasingly using art therapy to help children understand and express their emotions, develop self-esteem and self-awareness, and cope with stress and worries.
Read more: How to become an Art Therapist
School counsellor
There is a growing demand for school counselors in the UK, driven by increased recognition of the importance of mental health support for children and young people. This demand is being met by schools offering more school-based counselling services and increased confidence among school staff in recognising mental health issues, as well as a greater awareness of the benefits of school counselling.
A survey of school leaders published today by school leaders’ union NAHT and children’s mental health charity Place2Be reveals that the number of schools commissioning professional help for children’s mental health issues has increased significantly since 2016.
Peer support work
There is a high demand for Peer Support Workers in the UK, with many available vacancies across both the NHS and voluntary sectors.
The demand for Peer Support Workers is growing as the NHS and other organisations recognize the value of lived experience in mental health support. A 2023 census reported a 27% vacancy rate among Peer Support Workers in NHS-commissioned mental health services.
View more: Make a difference through Peer Support Work
Health and wellbeing coach
A wellbeing coach is a professional who helps individuals improve their overall health and wellbeing by supporting them in developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take an active role in their own care.
With a growing emphasis on personal wellness in the UK, there are currently over 5,000 wellbeing and life coaching jobs available in the UK, with many positions within the charity sector.
Read more: The career of a Life Coach: A rewarding journey in supporting personal growth
