– Clinical work is very different to understanding the theory of psychology. If you feel out of your depth during your first clinical role, don’t let it put you off, it’s a natural part of the process.
– You don’t need to know about every model of therapy and psychological theory to get a place on the course, just be confident with one or two models/theories and prepare to reflect on your experiences.
– It’s absolutely okay to get things wrong; that’s how we learn and progress.
– When considering applying for the DClinPsy course, read about each university in depth. Every university has a different ethos, entry criteria, course structure and interview process. You’ll find the ones that fit your values and beliefs. It can make it much more difficult to gain a place if you apply to courses that aren’t the right fit for you, so choose wisely.
– Try to keep some life balance while progressing your career. Many people put their lives “on hold” while preparing and applying for the DClinPsy. This can lead to burnout and extra stress/disappointment if you don’t get a place straight away. We have all reflected on the fact that we missed out on important life events in our pursuit of a place on the course and that now we are here we regret some of those decisions. Try to enjoy and get the most out of pre-training jobs – it’s a journey not a race!
– Be yourself! It’s important to stay true to who you are in becoming a clinical psychologist, rather than trying to be the clinician you think others want you to be. If you do things differently to other people, that’s okay.
– If you get a rejection for a job or the DClinPsy course, try to remind yourself that it isn’t necessarily a reflection on you. On this occasion, there might have been someone with a little bit more experience than you or someone who worded their application differently. It can be really hard not to take it personally or let it get to you, but see if there are any opportunities to receive feedback to further understand the decision.
– Getting an Assistant Psychologist post isn’t the be all and end all. They can be really competitive and other jobs can be just as valuable (e.g. support worker, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), researcher or teacher). Lots of people don’t go down the “conventional” route. It is more valuable that you are able to reflect on your experiences, show what you have learnt and ways that you can develop.
– The DClinPsy application process can be really hard. Different people can get on to the course at different points within their journey. It is not unusual for people to apply for the course more than once, but it’s also not uncommon for people to be offered a place on their first time of applying. Whatever outcome you experience, use it to reflect and learn from it.
– You don’t have to have it all figured out. It’s never too late and, if you really want it, then go for it! Many people come onto training from different backgrounds and at different ages, so don’t let that put you off.
– You can overprepare for interviews or overwork your application. It is important not to lose your own voice and what is important to you throughout the process.
– Being a clinical psychologist isn’t the only route to take in your career – some people with an interest in psychology prefer to work in other areas such as becoming psychotherapists, social workers and counselling psychologists. Sometimes people focus so much on getting a place on the DClinPsy that they forget to consider whether or not it’s the right path for them. It’s okay to change your mind!
– It can sometimes feel as though other people who work in different fields are progressing faster than you, which can be disheartening. While it takes a bit longer to build up pre-training experience, you’ll soon catch up!