Introduction The longer an individual is out of work the less likely that individual will ever return to work. Research has shown that, after six consecutive months of absence an individual has only a 50% chance of returning to work, this falls to 20% after 12 months’ continuous absence and 10% after 24 months’ continuous absence.

To evaluate if a cognitive behavioural intervention (CBT) impacts on an individual’s decision to return to the workplace following a long term absence as measured by an individual’s successful return to their previous work or a decision to seek alternative employment in a cohort of 27 individuals who are long term absent from work (8–57 months).

Methods We reviewed all cases referred, over a three year period (2014–2016), for a CBT intervention. (12–14 sessions over an average of a 6 month period).

Results 70% of a cohort of 27 individuals returned to their previous work or were in a position to seek alternative employment.

Discussion The findings suggest that a CBT intervention does support recovery and rehabilitation to work. Although the intervention involved a small cohort, the findings provide justification for continued investment and expansion of the current programme.