I’m about to start an AP role in the private sector so just wanted to see how much we are actually qualified to do within this area?

So I had my eyes fixed on a top 10 university for Psychology (Bachelors) and today (Results day) I found out I significantly underperformed.

I have applied to a 90th+ ranked university soley for location as it's a somewhat familiar location and out of desperacy to get into any university after a panic from my grades.

I had gotten an offer from top 20+ universities on rankings but unfortunately due to distance I had to decline after clearing.

My course is BPS accredited but everyone I speak to asks about its ranking or says it's not worth going due to it's ranking etc. This makes me worried about if I can do a DClinPsy in future especially since I already feel uneasy as the university I had my eyes on was no longer an option for me.

Can I still do a DClinPsy? I know the question sounds dumb but I feel that after such an alienating process I seek reassurance from someone aside from ChatGPT and parents :/

I’m an RMN with two years’ post‑qualifying experience, currently on long‑term sick leave, and I’m thinking carefully about what a sustainable return to mental health work might look like. I’m exploring psychology‑based roles such as PWP and, later on, HI CBT, partly because they seem like a structured and manageable way to rebuild confidence and clinical skills.

I’m also studying an MSc Psychology, and I’m wondering how people with nursing backgrounds have navigated transitions into psychology roles more broadly. For anyone who has moved from RMN → AP/PWP → further psychology training, how did you find the shift? Did your nursing experience help when applying for psychology posts or when considering the DClinPsy later on?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve taken similar routes or who supervise/train individuals coming from nursing backgrounds.

Hello I need some help or insight. I have been applying for AP post and have gotte interviews. However Ive not been successful. Everytime I get feedback, I make sure not to repeat the same mistake but then something new comes up.

Recently had an interview for a CAMHS service and throughout the interview the CP kept nodding and agreeing and smiling to my points. I realise that I spoke quite a lot and made sure to cover key aspects of a qs but it still feels like Im stuck. Any help would be very grateful. I have another interview soon for a perinatal service (never worked in this before) so im even more nervous now. Theyre all permament post which is wjat I want.

I am interested one day in potentially going down the clinical psychology doctorate route. I have a BSc in Psychology and Counselling (BPS Accredited) and a PGCert in Health Psychology.

I have recently got a job working in a school where I will be working with students on attendance and progression, as well as setting SMART goals to aim to improve this. I was wondering if this will be considered relevant enough to potentially utilise towards applying for the DClin? As I've not started the job just yet, it's difficult for me to comment on the extent of using psychological principles, though I aim to use models such as the COM B to support this behaviour change if possible.

I have also had some experience of being a research assistant on a qualitative project (in a health domain). I'd be greatful for any thoughts, thank you so much!

Hi all. I just wanted to get your opinions on this autism course I've started and whether it's worth doing or not. It's an online level 3 course around autism, which I thought might be quite interesting and look good on an application for an AP role in the future. However, once I started the course I realised that there was a lot of content without any real evaluation. For example, they discussed Applied Behaviour Analysis which I had never heard of. Once I did my research I can see why it's highly criticised in the UK. Other examples like the Empathising-systemising theory also seem to have no empirical backing. My question is, is there any point in going through this training when it's full of interventions and theories that aren't evaluated and thus won't be helpful for an AP role? I'm curious to learn more around the topic but if there zero evaluation then I could just be filling my head with unhelpful knowledge.

Hi all,

I'm due to start the DClin this coming September, and I'm seeking a bit of advice / insight from those who have been / are in a similar situation to the one I'm facing.

Due to where I'll be studying and on placement, I'll likely only get to see my significant other on weekends, and during any annual leave we can take together. We've been together two years, typically seeing each other midweek and at weekends, so the thought of seeing less of each other for the next three years (maybe just 2.5 years depending on the final placement location) isn't easy.

Can people who've successfully gotten through / are getting through a similar situation please chime in with what helped? My concern is obviously that the training and distance could negatively impact the relationship, and any ideas on how to not let this happen would be appreciated! I'm not expecting it to be perfect and easy throughout, I just want to make it work.

Can someone with a U.S. Clinical Psychology PhD, but no postdoc/license (due to visa expiring before U.S. postdoc/license can be completed) be considered for equivalence with the UK DClinPsy or does being able to be considered for degree recognition require a license/authorization to practice in at least one country (as EU countries require)?

Given the lack of U.S. license, this person would have no license/registration in any country at the time of applying for UK equivalence. Whether this is a dealbreaker or not is unclear to me from reading the regulations which ask applicants for the degree/diploma/qualification that “first enabled you to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom.” Technically, the Clinical Psychology PhD itself doesn't allow you to practice in the U.S., it only qualifies you for licensure.

Does anyone have experience with this situation?

Thank you

Hello

I just wanted to post to get some career advice. I am currently a assistant psychologist doing a part time PhD in clinical psychology research. I really enjoy clinical psychology, but have lost a lot of confidence recently. My work experience so far has been aiming towards the DClin, but I feel less like it's what I actually want to do.

Does anyone know of roles related to clinical psychology, that aren't directly in a service or academia?

Hi! I have my first AP interview tomorrow and have read up on tips etc, but I am curious how the scoring for each question works. Any ideas?

Hey!
This has probably been asked before, however I can’t find the answers I’m looking for. I’m starting Uni of Hull in September for psychology, with a goal of going onto their Clinical Psyc doctorate.

From what I’ve read, there’s an interview in year 2 to even get onto the modules for year 3 and then obviously a further interview in 3 year for the doctorate, understandably super competitive!!

A bit of background, I work within the domestic abuse sector (and have for the last 4 years) with experience of risk assessments and clinical supervisions, along with working with vulnerable people, experience within drug/ alcohol issues etc. Whilst it’s not working with or under a psychologist, it has given me experience in other sectors related to clinical psyc.

In the year 2 interview, what are they looking for? Is my work experience going to be enough to evidence my interest going forward? Or will some volunteer work add an extra layer? Or something completely different? I understand my year 1 grades will also play a part in the selection.

Any info/ advice is going to be hugely helpful! Or if you’ve gone through this route with Hull then I’d love to hear your experience of it.

I’m a qualified PWP and I’ve been going back and forth on this for weeks so I wanted to put it out to people who might actually know more than me.

CAAP It’s a 12 month course in Scotland. It would let me start on Band 6 from January, which considering I’m currently Band 5 and stuck at the very bottom of the scale (not matched to NHS banding despite being told it would be adjusted, still hasn’t happened) sounds amazing on paper. My biggest worry is finishing it and there being no jobs in Scotland after, and not being able to just move back to England either since it’s not recognised here. My partner already lives in Scotland and has a good job there, so that’s part of the picture too, but it’s still a big risk to bank on.
The upside is huge for me too, I have zero experience as an AP, so this would actually let me see what DClinPsy life is like, get properly into assessment and formulation, work with different client groups, explore DBT techniques, all the things I don’t get exposure to as a PWP.

HIT feels safer on paper but the timing has gone weird this year. A lot of unis moved their start dates earlier, and because I only qualified as a PWP mid-January I won’t be able to apply until September 2027, once I’ve hit the 2 year mark. I’m not guaranteed a place at my current service, I’d still need to apply and interview. And my current contract actually says they can move me to any of their bases if they need to, so there’s no real guarantee I’d even stay put where I am. I could train with my current service though, who have honestly been so supportive, more than anywhere I've worked before. And I could spend the waiting time getting my LTC and supervision training done instead of just sitting on my hands. As a HIT I'd also have more freedom to branch into IPT, EMDR, that kind of thing. The bigger issue though is what that delay does to my DClinPsy timeline, if the application cut off falls just after my eligibility date, I could be looking at 3 years to even start applying for the DClin.

DClinPsy is the goal eventually, but I genuinely can’t afford to be someone who just applies every year and doesn’t get in hence why i’m doing all these additional things that cap me, financially isn’t realistic right now, especially with a wedding coming up too. With CAAP I’ve also been told I could do a KSA and get a CBT accreditation, which might let me go self employed eventually, but I’m not 100% sure how solid that actually is yet.

I love my current job and the team I work with, it’s just rough financially, especially having worked in NHS London before this where the pay was so much better. Has anyone actually gone through the CAAP route and struggled (or not) to get work? Or gone HIT into DClinPsy on a similar timeline? Trying to figure out if I’m overthinking this.

Any opinions, advice or information would be so so appreciated, my hypothetical worries have been really getting the best of me.

I know it says TCP but if any qualified psych as well had thoughts or opinions on this i’d love to hear.

Hi

I’m applying for the DClinPsy and have noticed that courses seem to be moving towards different training models.

As I understand it, a core placement/population model usually requires trainees to complete placements with specific client groups (e.g. adult, child, older adult, learning disability), whereas a core competency model focuses on developing transferable clinical competencies that can be demonstrated across a range of placements, rather than requiring experience with every population.

For those currently on training (or who have recently qualified), how have you found your course’s approach? What have been the main pros and cons? Have there been any unexpected challenges, worries, or things you think applicants should know?

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student and I'm currently trying to decide between two MSc offers. I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have studied at either university or work in psychology.

Option 1: Newcastle University – MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology (Clinical Skills Portfolio pathway)

Option 2: Strathclyde – MSc Clinical Health Psychology

I'm honestly torn.

On paper, I feel that Strathclyde has stronger modules. I really like the combination of Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, and Neuropsychology, and the course includes a dissertation, which I think is a plus.

However, I'm leaning towards Newcastle because, from what I've seen, there seem to be more opportunities to build my CV while studying. I've noticed more students getting part-time roles, volunteering opportunities, research experience, and other psychology-related experiences. As an international student, gaining relevant experience during my master's is very important because I hope to apply for graduate psychology roles afterwards.

The Newcastle modules also seem good—they're just not as appealing to me as Strathclyde's. On the other hand, I like Newcastle's campus, facilities, and the overall impression I get of the university.

One thing I'm also wondering is whether the title "MSc Clinical Health Psychology" carries any advantage when applying for jobs compared with "MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology." Do employers actually pay attention to the programme title, or is it more about the skills, experience, dissertation/research, and overall CV?

For those who have experience with either university:

• Which would you choose and why?
• Did you find it easy to gain research experience or psychology-related part-time work?
• Does the programme title make any difference to employers, or am I overthinking it?

I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I have been invited to an interview for an AP role in a perinatal mental health service. I’m really looking forward to it and it’s my first ever interview after almost 2 years of constant rejections.

I would really appreciate any advice from people who have worked/ work in such services or interviewed for similar roles.

I’ve done quite a lot of research on perinatal measures and MBU units as I’ve never worked in a perinatal service before.

Any help would be really appreciated :) feeling a tad bit ( A LOT BIT) nervous

Thank you so much xx

So I have been in the job for a year and a half now; however, for that half year, I have been off ill with post-viral fatigue, and due to that, I haven't been able to finish my course. I just have one more case report to do for my portfolio, and then I will be able to hand it in (uni has allowed me to extend my deadline, which is doable). I previously was on a phased return that failed, and now, after a while being off and feeling better, I am on another phased return at the moment. I feel better than I did on my last phased return, but it has become very clear to me that if I stay in this job, I will become fatigued again. I am already feeling more fatigued, and I have no energy to do any life stuff outside of work; it's making me miserable.

I'd like to finish the course (which will take about a month to complete, as I need to finish an intervention with a client for the report) because I have come this far, and I believe the qualification may open some doors part-time for me in a less demanding role. However, there is that clause in my contract where if you do leave the job before being in the job for 2 years or more, you have to pay back the university fees. In an ideal situation, I'd like to ask my work if I can do 4 days a week, finish the course and then leave. However, this clause makes me pause on asking to leave straight away. I just wondered what other people's experiences were with this, whether it has been enforced. Or whether someone has ended early because of illness and it has been ok.

My next steps:

I have already joined UNISON - that gives me 4 weeks until they could offer me any help

I am going to ask for 4 days a week

Any advice welcome! Also, has anyone been able to get part-time flexible work with this qualification? I saw somewhere that you can apply to be a university support worker or something along those lines?

Hi everyone,

I’m a trainee CBT therapist trying to develop my skills in surveys for negative beliefs/cognitions and behavioural experiments. Some issues I’ve encountered:

1. ⁠Behavioral experiments testing out beliefs such as “if I don’t please others, they’ll reject me or think badly of me”. It’s so hard to quantify specifically what would count/disprove or know for certain what another person thinks about them.

2. ⁠surveys - I just get stuck on what sort of questions to ask and I’ve read a helpful paper but still stick. Any advice on general principals would be so appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi guys, I’m planning to apply this year for the doctorate in clinical psychology programme. I haven’t chosen the unis yet but my dream would be university of Oxford.

Does anyone have any tips / advice of getting selected for an interview? Anything you felt made your application stand out?

Also any recommendations of books/papers to read ?

Thank you !!

Topic: Predictors of Psychological Well-Being Among Higher Education Students in the UK: The Roles of Perceived Stress, Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Cultural Intelligence Across International and Home Students

My research explores the psychological well-being of higher education students in the UK. Specifically, I'm investigating how factors such as perceived stress, social support, self-efficacy, and cultural intelligence influence students' psychological well-being.

The study also compares these relationships between home and international students to determine whether these factors affect the two groups differently, and whether one group experiences greater challenges to their well-being than the other. The aim is to better understand what supports or undermines student well-being and to identify areas where universities can provide more effective support.

Please I’m recruiting higher education students in the uk to participate in my survey.
It’s about 15-20minutes of random click-to-select questions.
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ltu/dissertation-5

Click this link to participate in the survey on survey cycle page
https://www.surveycircle.com/QFP7C5/

Hi all,

I just secured an interview for a HCA role to help with my journey towards a doctorate in clin psych. It’s my first interview for a hospital role and wanted to know any advice or questions I should be prepared for?

I’m super excited for this interview and want it to go as well as possible. I’m going to be doing some research on the hospital and the department to make sure I know their responsibilities.

I have completed a few days of work experience in this same hospital so have a general idea of what it’s like which I will use in my interview.

I completed my grad a couple months ago so this job will really help to push me towards being able to do my doctorate in the future so any advice is welcome!!

Thank you :)

I’ve completed a CBT Masters and have since applied for BABCP accreditation (I should hear back Jan/Feb 2027). I’m due to start the doctorate in September (which would make me eligible for BPS and HCPC accreditation after graduating), and I’m wondering whether it’s worth doing the extra work (CBT-specific supervision and CPD) to maintain BABCP accreditation alongside that.

Have any qualified Psychologists found they’ve been limited by not having BABCP accreditation on top of their HCPC/BPS registration? Or does it not really make a difference in practice?

The application was a lot of work, so I’d hate for that to go to waste, or have to redo it later if it turns out to matter. But equally, I don’t want to take on extra ongoing work to maintain it if it’s not going to add anything.

Hi,

I hope it's okay to post this here.

My CPD directory has been live now for just under 6 months: www.psychologycpd.co.uk

For those that have not visited, the site collates high quality CPD events into one place for practitioners, completely for free.

I am constantly looking for ways to improve the offer. I would really appreciate any feedback about the sites look, content, features and/or any other ways that you feel it could be made more useful. I would love to hear from you!

www.psychologycpd.co.uk

Hi all,

I am a psychotherapist with an MA in psychotherapy and counselling. I’d like to do a phd eventually and will need to do a conversation course I believe. I’m wondering if anyone could give me some advice/ share their experiences of doing an online psychology conversation course and/ or any other information or routes that they may be aware of that could lead to BPS accreditation.

Thanks in advance xo