Pre,

Well I started them in July this year, and I actually start uni this September (undergrad)

The care home one is my actual job though, the others are voluntary positions (but can become paid). :smile:

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 102

M4567

2

Hi, I'm a undergraduate psychology student at Aston University and it's a four year course,including a placment year. The placement year involves closely working with clinical psychologists to understand their role. I know that to get into a doctorate for clinical Psychology you need at least a year of experience so I was wondering if my placement year would count as a year experience so that I can apply for the doctorate straight after I graduate?

Reply 103

Lord Asriel

OP

11

Original post by M4567

Hi, I'm a undergraduate psychology student at Aston University and it's a four year course,including a placment year. The placement year involves closely working with clinical psychologists to understand their role. I know that to get into a doctorate for clinical Psychology you need at least a year of experience so I was wondering if my placement year would count as a year experience so that I can apply for the doctorate straight after I graduate?

Although it would technically count as experience, in reality you would be up against people with years of experience, postgraduate degrees or who have worked in substantive roles in psychology settings like IAPT.

The last time I checked the average age for DClinPsy entry was about 26-27. You can see what sucessful applicants have in their CVs on this link:
https://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=145&start=360

Reply 104

timb0

2

Accreditation means that the degree is recognised by the British Psychological Society - they provide an external standard to ensure that degree programmes cover what they are meant to. You need a good degree a 2:1 is the minimum although people with 2:2 are sometimes considered if they have a postgraduate degree.For Clinical Psychology you need a degree which is accredited - you normally also need relevant experience this could be Assistant Psychologist, Associate Practitioner - mainly therefore work that involves contact withqualified clinical and counselling psychologists. Both Clinical and Counselling Psychology are professional doctorates in the UK. Historically because Clinical Psychology was there first the places are funded at NHS Band 6, Counselling Psychology does not have such a good funding systembut it is possible to get a job working in the NHS and study Counselling Psychology at the same time (it depends on the department).Clinical and Counselling Psychologists have parity for NHS employment and even if a job says Clinical Psychologist then Counselling Psychologists generally have equal opportunities to be considered and if the best candidate will get the job.Many Psychologists now work in Private Practice either independently or in addition to NHS work.Top tip is to talk to trained psychologists, trainees and recently qualified psychologists as they are a sample of people whose strategy for getting into training has obviously succeeded.A really smart move is to talk to people who interview for the courses as they will give you an idea of what they are looking for.Expect if you are starting now to work until your normal pension age - 68-70Just my two penny worth but this is what makes for a good clinician -Lots of experience - humans are not machines but as your clinical pattern recognition grows you will notice themes that you can translate into interventions.A scientific mind and a respect for evidence, not just research evidence but the evidence of the client's life.A thoughtful and mature approach to working with other professionals.A thoughtful and mature approach to one's own emotional and intellectual functioning.Curiosity about what makes people tick and the ability to reflect that back.A grounding in several models of psychological therapy - CBT Systemic and Psychodynamic for example.When going for interviews at any level the interviewers are going to be keen to know if you can work in their team and get on with others - that is very important as dealingwith difficult staff members is a major distraction from what we like to do. Don't try and sell yourself by using buzzwords that you really do not understand - trained clinicians see through this in a second.Be honest and reflective about your own experiences of difficult mental health problems - most of us see that as a plus not a minus.Finally it is a very rewarding job - as you learn something new every day BUT it is a very hard job you'll be dealing with difficult people and situations continually.Good LuckI have been a Clinical Psychologist since 1985 and a Consultant Grade since 2002.

Reply 105

goldencactus

3

I'm wondering about taking this route eventually and I am unsure how my experience portfolio will look.I have a degree and a masters in an unrelated humanities subject (1:1 and distinction). I'm currently finishing off a 3-year MA in Pychodynamic Counselling/psychotherapy - I'm on course to get a distinction and I'll have hundreds of hours of clinical experience by the time I finish, and much of that has been working with people long-term mental health problems. But it doesn't make me BPS eligible. Would I need to do a psychology conversion at PG level to apply to a professional doctorate? Would my clinical experience as a therapist stand me in good stead for either clinical or counselling psychology?

Reply 106

Interrobang

20

Original post by goldencactus

I'm wondering about taking this route eventually and I am unsure how my experience portfolio will look.I have a degree and a masters in an unrelated humanities subject (1:1 and distinction). I'm currently finishing off a 3-year MA in Pychodynamic Counselling/psychotherapy - I'm on course to get a distinction and I'll have hundreds of hours of clinical experience by the time I finish, and much of that has been working with people long-term mental health problems. But it doesn't make me BPS eligible. Would I need to do a psychology conversion at PG level to apply to a professional doctorate? Would my clinical experience as a therapist stand me in good stead for either clinical or counselling psychology?

Yes you would need to do the conversion course. I would imagine that the therapist experience would be helpful :smile:

Reply 107

concoval

13

Hi, I'm wondering if I do an accredited BSc course and then a masters, would it matter whether or not the masters was accredited?

Reply 108

Interrobang

20

No it wouldn't :smile:

Original post by concoval

Hi, I'm wondering if I do an accredited BSc course and then a masters, would it matter whether or not the masters was accredited?

Reply 109

Afterlife?

19

@Interrobang

Do you think getting an assistance psychologist position during a 4 year placement Bsc is possible? And if it is is it realistic to be able to get onto a Dclinpsy course straight from finishing undergrad? And also do you kno if unis might prefer you if you went there for undergrad

Reply 110

Interrobang

20

I'm afraid I don't know what sorts of roles are available for placement years, but if AP positions are available, they are likely to be very competitive. Work experiences need to be post graduation though (and placements will help you get those roles), and tbh you need some life experiences to be able to be a good psychologist. It shouldn't matter regarding the unis, but it might give more options regarding optional modules and dissertation projects

Original post by Afterlife?

@Interrobang

Do you think getting an assistance psychologist position during a 4 year placement Bsc is possible? And if it is is it realistic to be able to get onto a Dclinpsy course straight from finishing undergrad? And also do you kno if unis might prefer you if you went there for undergrad

Reply 111

Nerol

21

Hi!

I am interested in becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Actually, it's my dream and I am 100% determined to make it happen.

I am about to finish my BSc in Psychology and Counselling with the Open University, for which I am all but guaranteed a First Class degree. I am also going to complete a level 3 course in Counselling Skills next month and have completed a diploma in Advanced CBT. I work as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems, and will also be starting a master's degree in Psychological Wellbeing in Clinical Practice in September, which I will study part-time, so I have more time to gain more experience working in a clinical setting. I previously volunteered as a research assistant in the Psychology department at Huddersfield Uni as well, and now volunteer as a mentor for adults leaving the prison system.

I will be applying for the 2021 intake for the DClinPsy programme and I want to make sure I have the strongest application I can possibly have. Firstly, is support work experience a good start with regards to experience? The master's programme includes a placement, which will be relevant to the field, so that will also provide experience.

Second, is it possible to gain voluntary experience working alongside a clinical psychologist? I'm always on the lookout for AP jobs, but they are few and far between, so I wondered if volunteering might also be an option.

Any advice on things I could add to my existing experience to give be the best chance of gaining a place on a DClinPsy programme would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Loren

Reply 112

giella

15

Go to https://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/ to get some good advice on this. More specialist than you'll find on here.

Original post by Nerol

Hi!

I am interested in becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Actually, it's my dream and I am 100% determined to make it happen.

I am about to finish my BSc in Psychology and Counselling with the Open University, for which I am all but guaranteed a First Class degree. I am also going to complete a level 3 course in Counselling Skills next month and have completed a diploma in Advanced CBT. I work as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems, and will also be starting a master's degree in Psychological Wellbeing in Clinical Practice in September, which I will study part-time, so I have more time to gain more experience working in a clinical setting. I previously volunteered as a research assistant in the Psychology department at Huddersfield Uni as well, and now volunteer as a mentor for adults leaving the prison system.

I will be applying for the 2021 intake for the DClinPsy programme and I want to make sure I have the strongest application I can possibly have. Firstly, is support work experience a good start with regards to experience? The master's programme includes a placement, which will be relevant to the field, so that will also provide experience.

Second, is it possible to gain voluntary experience working alongside a clinical psychologist? I'm always on the lookout for AP jobs, but they are few and far between, so I wondered if volunteering might also be an option.

Any advice on things I could add to my existing experience to give be the best chance of gaining a place on a DClinPsy programme would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Loren

Reply 113

gracexa

9

Hi there, I’m wondering what the difference is between a PsychD and DClinPsych as they seem to be relatively similar?

Reply 114

Noodlzzz

21

Original post by gracexa

Hi there, I’m wondering what the difference is between a PsychD and DClinPsych as they seem to be relatively similar?

Off the top of my head in think the former is USA title and the latter is UK

Reply 115

gracexa

9

Original post by Noodlzzz

Off the top of my head in think the former is USA title and the latter is UK

I’ve seen some unis that offer the PsychD though, for example Uni of Surrey

Reply 116

Lord Asriel

OP

11

Original post by gracexa

I’ve seen some unis that offer the PsychD though, for example Uni of Surrey

It's just a naming convention depending on the individual university, a bit like how Ph.Ds are called D.Phils at some places.

All of the recognised Doctorate of Clinical Psychology courses listed on the Leeds Clearing House (https://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/courses.html) give you HCPC registration and the legal right to call yourself a Clinical Psychologist regardless of what the abbreviation of the qualification on the degree certificate states.

Reply 117

Malika127

3

Hey guys!

I got a Psychology BA in an EU country (a well-known university in my country). I would like to apply to an MSc in the UK, then go on to do clinical training in the UK.

What do I need to do in terms of GBC (BPS accreditation)?

As in, if I complete an MSc course in the UK, will I automatically be accredited and ready to do a DClinPsy?
Or do I need to apply separately on the BPS website so they can assess my degree individually?

Tyvm for any answers!

Reply 118

Ag1212

2

Is there a demand for clinical psychologists at the moment? How do I become one? Is it impossible?

As a clinical psychologist can you work like a health psychologist?

Clinical Psychology FAQ

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