Clinical psychology involves using psychological theory and research to understand and treat psychological distress. Clinical psychologists conduct therapy, consult with other professionals, do research, and complete administrative duties like developing policy. Training involves an undergraduate degree in psychology, work experience, and a 3-5 year doctorate program, but the career offers variety, flexibility, and a good salary. It is competitive to enter but maintaining good grades, volunteering, and networking can increase chances of acceptance to training programs.

1. Clinical Psychology:
A rough guide
Fleur-Michelle Coiffait
Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Edinburgh & NHS Lothian
PsyPAG Division of Clinical Psychology Representative
Monday, 14 May 2012

2. Overview
• What is it?
• What does it involve?
• How do I get into it?
• How hard is it?
• How do I increase my chances?
• Questions
Monday, 14 May 2012

3. Background
• Using psychological theory and research
findings to understand and work with
psychological distress and dysfunction
• Promoting psychological wellbeing
• Facilitating development of others’
psychological knowledge
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4. History
• Initial focus on psychological assessment
and psychometric testing
• Following WWII, increased need for
psychological interventions
• 1980s and 1990s saw proliferation of
psychological therapies
• Shift back towards research, consultation
leadership and management
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5. • Therapy and direct work (e.g. CBT, group
therapy, psychodynamic therapy, etc)
• Systemic working with families and
significant others
• Consultation for other professionals
• Supervision of others, including other
professionals
What do clinical
psychologists do?
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6. What do clinical
psychologists do?
• Research in a clinical setting
• Teaching and training students, other
psychologists, other professionals
• Involvement in developing guidelines and
policy at organisational, local and national
level
• Court work as an expert witness
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7. Where do clinical
psychologists work?
• Predominantly in the NHS but also in for
private healthcare and forensic units
• General hospitals, outpatient clinics,
inpatient psychiatric wards, rehabilitation
wards, residential services, hospices,
Department of Health and many more....
Monday, 14 May 2012

8. Who do they work
with?
• All ages, from infants to older adults
• People with psychiatric diagnoses, learning
disabilities, brain injuries, degenerative
diseases, sexual problems, chronic pain,
physical health problems, addictions,
offenders, people in the armed forces...
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9. How do you train as a
clinical psychologist?
• BPS accredited undergraduate degree
(BSc/BA) or conversion diploma in
Psychology with GBC
• Ideally a 2:1 or above
• If a 2:2, supplementary postgraduate degree
(e.g. MSc, MRes, MA, PhD)
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10. How do you train as a
clinical psychologist?
• 12 months+ relevant work experience
• BPS accredited Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology (3-5 years)
• So 7+ years training all together!
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11. Why would you want
to do all that?!
• Challenging, rewarding role where you
apply your psychological knowledge
• Variety of jobs in a range of settings and
lots of opportunities to specialise
• Flexibility of role and part-time working
• Emphasis on CPD and continued learning
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12. Why would you want
to do all that?!
• Subsidised doctoral training with fees paid
and starting salary of c £24k rising each
year of training
• Newly qualified psychologist salary c £30k
• Earn £60k+ as a Consultant Clinical
Psychologist
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13. What does the training
involve?
• Rotational placements in core areas:
learning disabilities, adult mental health,
children and families and older adults
• Specialist / elective placement(s)
• Exams and coursework, including research
projects, case reports and essays
• Doctoral thesis - extensive piece of self-
directed research
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14. How do you get into it?
• Focus on getting a good undergraduate
degree / conversion diploma whilst
maintaining a good work-life balance
• Look for volunteering, befriending or
support work opportunities
• E.g. university research departments,
charities, care homes, special schools
Monday, 14 May 2012

15. How do you get into it?
• Volunteering good way to gain experience
for paid roles
• Graduate psychology roles - research
assistant, assistant psychologist, IAPT jobs
such as psychological wellbeing practitioner
• Ideally supervised by a clinical psychologist
and based within the NHS
Monday, 14 May 2012

16. How do you get into it?
• Postgraduate courses, e.g. MSc in
Foundations of Clinical Psychology, MRes
• Think creatively about finding opportunities
to work in settings related to clinical
psychology or where you may come across
clinical or other applied psychologists
Monday, 14 May 2012

17. How hard is it?
• People will tell you its extremely difficult
and will probably say not to bother
• Reality is that it is very competitive due to
being a popular career choice
• Up to 200+ applications for any one
assistant psychologist post
• 25% of doctorate applicants gain a place
• Not easy, but by no means impossible!
Monday, 14 May 2012

18. How do I maximise my
chances?
• Work hard academically but enjoy your
studies and maintain a work-life balance
• Look for opportunities to gain relevant
experience
• Speak to clinical psychologists and network
• Attend a local assistant psychologist group
(usually open to all, not just graduates)
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19. Are there any similar
careers?
• Educational or counselling psychology
• Academic psychology / research / teaching
• Other therapist roles such as Psychological
Wellbeing Practitioner, High Intensity
Therapist, Clinical Associate in Applied
Psychology (Scotland only)
• Psychotherapist
• Mental health nursing
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20. Useful websites
www.bps.org.uk/dcp
www.clinpsy.org.uk
www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp
www.jobs.nhs.uk
www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk
www.jobs.ac.uk
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21. Questions?
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22. Further reading
Beinart, H., Kennedy, P. & Llewelyn, S. (2009). Clinical
psychology in practice. Chichester: BPS Blackwell.
Cheshire, K. & Pilgrim, D. (2004).A short introduction
to clinical psychology. London: Sage.
Hall, J. & Llewelyn, S. (2006).What is clinical
psychology? Oxford: Oxford University Press
Monday, 14 May 2012