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I work as a Clinical Psychologist, ask me anything (within reason)

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Reply 80

Original post
by justagxrl
Thank you for this information. This is interesting, I will look into this. Do you think this means the only way into being a psychological therapist for instance will be to go through Clinical Psychology?

No not at all. A Psychologist of any type (Counselling, Clinical or Educational), is only one small cog, and there are loads of psychological therapists. A Clinical Psych is not really just a therapist anyway, as this regularly makes up a tiny part of the role. If you want to be a therapist id consider the other roles.

Greg

Reply 81

Original post
by greg tony
No not at all. A Psychologist of any type (Counselling, Clinical or Educational), is only one small cog, and there are loads of psychological therapists. A Clinical Psych is not really just a therapist anyway, as this regularly makes up a tiny part of the role. If you want to be a therapist id consider the other roles.
Greg

which other roles you would consider to be a therapist? Also kindly tell how to reach there? Thanks

Reply 82

Original post
by maliha durrani
which other roles you would consider to be a therapist? Also kindly tell how to reach there? Thanks

You will have to do some research yourself as there are so many therapists, but they all have different ways of working so you need to make sure they align with your style also. Examples are CBT therapist, Counsellor (numerous variations within this, Humanistic, Gestalt etc), Psychodynamic and so on.

Dr Google will be your friend for this search.

Greg

Reply 83

HI.I wanted to ask if u r able to check my personal statement for psychology bsc and if u could tell me what i can do to improve it and make it attractive to get accepted by unis especially russel group if i can apply. If u dm and have time?Thank you

Reply 84

Original post
by ...12th
HI.I wanted to ask if u r able to check my personal statement for psychology bsc and if u could tell me what i can do to improve it and make it attractive to get accepted by unis especially russel group if i can apply. If u dm and have time?Thank you

No sorry dont provide these types of services. Just a note that Russell groups universities arent important at all for a Psychology degree, so dont get too caught up in the PR machine.

Greg
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 85

Original post
by greg tony
No sorry dont provide these types of services. Just a note that Russell groups universities arent important at all for a Psychology degree, so dont get too caught up in the PR machine.
Greg

ohhh okayy.tyyy

Reply 86

Hi there, have you done any Online Bsc or Conversion degree?

I am considering doing an online Conversion master in Arden, but ai am afraid the university ranking or the online degree be a disadvantage when I need to apply for a.Clinical Doctorate.

Could you please, share your thoughts?

Reply 87

Original post
by brazilianlearner
Hi there, have you done any Online Bsc or Conversion degree?
I am considering doing an online Conversion master in Arden, but ai am afraid the university ranking or the online degree be a disadvantage when I need to apply for a.Clinical Doctorate.
Could you please, share your thoughts?

Yes i did a BSc online and it didnt hold me back. As long as it is BPS accredited nothing else matters. Psychology is generally university blind so dont worry about where you go.

Greg

Reply 88

Original post
by greg tony
As above please feel free to ask my any burning questions around how to get into this field.
Take care,
Greg

Hi Greg,

I am currently doing my psychology foundation year, and I am worried about what different careers this can lead too before I commit to the full time psychology degree? Do you know what are the different career paths that this can lead too in postgrad study?

Thanks,
Grace.

Reply 89

Original post
by gomk20
Hi Greg,
I am currently doing my psychology foundation year, and I am worried about what different careers this can lead too before I commit to the full time psychology degree? Do you know what are the different career paths that this can lead too in postgrad study?
Thanks,
Grace.

Hi Grace,

There are literally hundreds of careers it can lead to, both in graduate entry schemes (they generally accept any degree) or in direct psychology roles (Clinical, Counselling, Forensic doctorates, IAPT services, postgrad psychotherapy to name a few). Psychology is a very competitive field, particularly if you want to follow the Clinical Psychology route so if you do go down this route make sure you understand what the end role is like first.

Greg

Reply 90

Original post
by greg tony
As above please feel free to ask my any burning questions around how to get into this field.
Take care,
Greg

Hi Greg,
I'm planning on starting my Psychology degree with the Open University in February with the plan of eventually becoming a clinical or educational psychologist.
I am a home educating Mum. My Eldest son has ADHD and Dyslexia and my youngest son is Autistic.
Would this be seen as any sort of experience?
I would struggle to get any other experience at the moment until my kids are a bit older. Currently 14 and 12. Just to add for context I'm 34.
Thank you
Jess

Reply 91

Original post
by Jessie.Nicola
Hi Greg,
I'm planning on starting my Psychology degree with the Open University in February with the plan of eventually becoming a clinical or educational psychologist.
I am a home educating Mum. My Eldest son has ADHD and Dyslexia and my youngest son is Autistic.
Would this be seen as any sort of experience?
I would struggle to get any other experience at the moment until my kids are a bit older. Currently 14 and 12. Just to add for context I'm 34.
Thank you
Jess

Hi Jess,

Well done on starting your journey, you sound like you have your hands full already.

Regarding experience, while your lived experience may be helpful in helping you reflect and grow as a person, it wont be treated the same as paid and professional experience. Educational is not my area, but regarding Clinical you will need most likely 2 to 3 years of paid relevant experience before you could be competitive on the doctorate. Most courses require this experience to be post degree so dont feel pressure to get this during your degree.

This pathway is still open even when you turn 40 (when your kids might be gaining more independence) so dont stack too many additional things on your plate. The most important thing you can do right now is prioritise your degree and get a high 2.1, as this is core part of suitability critieria.

Greg

Reply 92

Original post
by greg tony
Hi Jess,
Well done on starting your journey, you sound like you have your hands full already.
Regarding experience, while your lived experience may be helpful in helping you reflect and grow as a person, it wont be treated the same as paid and professional experience. Educational is not my area, but regarding Clinical you will need most likely 2 to 3 years of paid relevant experience before you could be competitive on the doctorate. Most courses require this experience to be post degree so dont feel pressure to get this during your degree.
This pathway is still open even when you turn 40 (when your kids might be gaining more independence) so dont stack too many additional things on your plate. The most important thing you can do right now is prioritise your degree and get a high 2.1, as this is core part of suitability critieria.
Greg

Thank you so much for your response.
Also, with the OU there's a few options but the two I'm interested in are Psychology or Psychology with Counselling. Both are accredited.
Is there any benefit to doing the Psychology with Counselling?
Also, in regards to the standard Psychology degree. Would it make any difference to career opportunities etc with the modules that you choose? I'm particularly interested in the child development modules with a long term plan of working with children but would it limit my future options?
Thank you again 😊

Reply 93

Original post
by Jessie.Nicola
Thank you so much for your response.
Also, with the OU there's a few options but the two I'm interested in are Psychology or Psychology with Counselling. Both are accredited.
Is there any benefit to doing the Psychology with Counselling?
Also, in regards to the standard Psychology degree. Would it make any difference to career opportunities etc with the modules that you choose? I'm particularly interested in the child development modules with a long term plan of working with children but would it limit my future options?
Thank you again 😊

No, as long as the degree is accredited the modules you choice are pretty much insignificant and do not impact your career options. Just choose the ones that interest you.

Greg

Reply 94

Original post
by greg tony
As above please feel free to ask my any burning questions around how to get into this field.
Take care,
Greg

Hi,

Did you complete the Dclinpsyc? and if so how was the application process and where did you go? also how much experience do you need to get onto the course? I'm going to do a placement year in my degree, plus I will have been working as a mental health support worker for 3 years by the time I'm graduating. Is this experience relevant and is that enough? Also how was the interview process. Sorry for the many questions, I'm just wondering how the application process went (if you even did the course). Also how did you get a your job? Thanks so much!

Reply 95

Original post
by gogogostudy
Hi,
Did you complete the Dclinpsyc? and if so how was the application process and where did you go? also how much experience do you need to get onto the course? I'm going to do a placement year in my degree, plus I will have been working as a mental health support worker for 3 years by the time I'm graduating. Is this experience relevant and is that enough? Also how was the interview process. Sorry for the many questions, I'm just wondering how the application process went (if you even did the course). Also how did you get a your job? Thanks so much!

Hello,

Yes i did the Doctorate and qualified a few years ago. There are many more jobs than people once qualified, so regularly have multiple job offers every week. The application is centralised in the UK through clearing (https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/), so review each course carefully as each has different processes and requirements (in terms of what they want practically or academically).

Regarding your experience, it is very unlikely to be enough as most courses require at least 1 year post degree, and more specific to Clinical Psychology (so paid Asst Psy, Research roles, therapeutic trg etc).

Greg

Reply 96

Original post
by Jodielocke
Hi Greg
I am a 38 year old woman who would like to go into studying an open university degree in psychology, however with the career path I would like to take I realise that I will need to complete a master's and then a PhD. I wouldn't then be qualified for a role that I would like for many, many years. Am I too late in life to start this sort of study and are there any other jobs I can go into with the degree in psychology only and not with a master's and PhD?
Thanks
Jodie


I'm thinking the same. What did you decide to do?

Reply 97

Hi Greg
Thank you for taking the time answering all these questions!

I am currently in year 12 doing psychology and sociology a level and criminology diploma. I am flitting between a forensic psychologist and clinical psychologist as a career path. The set up of a degree apprenticeship is also something I am interested in as you get experience whilst doing your degree. There doesn’t seem to be any level 5 apprenticeships.

Your views would be valuable on this topic of thought

Reply 98

Original post
by Ponkey
Hi Greg
Thank you for taking the time answering all these questions!
I am currently in year 12 doing psychology and sociology a level and criminology diploma. I am flitting between a forensic psychologist and clinical psychologist as a career path. The set up of a degree apprenticeship is also something I am interested in as you get experience whilst doing your degree. There doesn’t seem to be any level 5 apprenticeships.
Your views would be valuable on this topic of thought

A psychology degree is academic, which is why there aren't any degree apprenticeships. It also needs to be accredited by the BPS in order to allow you to train to be any type of psychologist in future. A number of courses do a placement year though

Reply 99

Thank you, I am best doing a Bsc it seems

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