r/ClinicalPsychologyUK

Hi everyone

I am about to start the DClinPsy course in September - 4 years after my last course, which I completed just before AI exploded. I am interested in people’s experiences of using AI for organisation and research purposes. By this I do not mean writing assignments, reports, or clinical notes with ChatGPT. For example, is it acceptable to use platforms like elicit, scispace or consensus to search for and organise relevant literature or do universities still insist on more traditional routes of going through Google scholar and PsychInfo? Do people use ChatGPT or Claude to improve grammar and clarity of their coursework, or would that be flagged up as “cheating” or plagiarism?
Any way you use AI extension to organise your calendar and help with task prioritisation?

I guess I am interested in how people use this still very new technologies to aid their learning - not replace their thinking.

After 3 unsuccessful rounds of applications (no interviews) and as I approach 30, I have decided that it doesn’t make sense to continue on the DClinPsy route. I have been a Band 4 for 4 years and I would really like to see some progression. My backup was always going to be the CAP, however, all research recently around the role is leading me to believe it may not be very fruitful, and I have never been able to find an open training position.

I currently work as a Research Assistant, my first research role, but frankly it is boring, and I don’t want to continue down this field. I miss psychology and mental health and I want to go back, but I feel like I don’t have any options left. There is the potential to do an apprenticeship in my current trust but it would likely send me down a whole new career path. I’m considering it but I don’t think I would be happy.

I would really appreciate any advice on a path I could take (even if training requires you to pay) that could further my career in mental health psychology. I’m kind of at a loss now and I don’t really have anyone to turn to as I don’t have a supervisor. Thanks :)

Hi I’m just wondering what else I should be doing to build my experience for when I apply to the DClin. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

I’m currently in 3rd year doing a psychology integrated masters so have 1 year left. I’m at UOY with the goal of applying to the Hull DClin straight after my 4th year. I’m also on the clinical pathway doing the required clinical modules.

I’ve got about 1 year of experience working as a bank HCA in a forensic mental health hospital. I’ve applied for a few research internships for this summer to hopefully gain more experience in the research side of things.

Is there anything else I should be doing?

What would help me with gaining more experience and so I can hopefully get onto the DClin when I apply next year?

Hi everyone, I’ve been feeling a bit stuck when it comes to reflecting on clients and cases. I notice that my reflections often return to a few core themes, and I’d really like to stretch my thinking further and reflect more broadly and deeply.

I know there are reflective models out there, but I think what I’m really struggling with is expanding the breadth of my awareness & being able to make wider links, consider different perspectives, and think about additional factors that may be influencing a case.

I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this, or has any tips, resources, or approaches that helped them develop richer and more expansive reflections?

Hi everyone, I know it's a bit early but I’m looking for some perspective on my chances for the 2027 DClinPsy intake. 

My journey has been a bit of a long one: I did my undergrad psychology degree (2.1) in the mid 2000's, followed immediately by an MSc (pass). Following a number of years experience, including AP, support work, and IAPT, I applied 3 times in the early 2010s. 

The first year I got an interview (blew it: anxiety got the better of me) and interview reserve list, but the following two years resulted in no interviews. I became quite disheartened by this seeming regression, and decided to step away to focus on a different career path and raising my family.

Fast forward to now: I’ve spent a number of years as a High Intensity therapist and worked my way up to Clinical Lead for an NHS Talking Therapies service. I’ve realized the fire to qualify as a Clinical Psychologist never really went out, and I want to give it one last, serious shot.

However, I have a couple of concerns:

Research Experience: It’s been a long time since my undergrad/masters. In my current role, I act as a PI for research trials within our service, but I don’t have recent "academic" research experience or publications (although will be named when research is published). Is being a PI in a clinical setting viewed as "substantial" enough recent experience? 

Academic Reference: I haven't been in formal education for a decade. My course leader for HIT CBT training has agreed to be my academic referee but I'm concerned about the strength of this as my training did not involve any research? Beyond this, I think it's unlikely my degree/MSc supervisor will remember me well enough to comment and my main supervisor has passed away.

Clinical experience: short of a year out of the NHS as an AP and work as a support worker early in my career, my experience is predominantly in IAPT/Talking Therapies. As a Clinical lead, I believe I have plenty to draw on, but am a bit concerned that having specialised limits me.

What are people’s thoughts on my "profile" given the leadership experience but the gap in education and limited range of experience? Any suggestions on what I should focus on between now and the 2027 cycle to bridge these gaps?

Or if anyone would be happy to share their experiences of a winding path to training, I'd love to hear it. I've somehow managed to convince myself that I've had my chance and need to accept that it will never happen.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone!

I was very fortunate to receive an offer for the DClinPsy today. I also have a diagnosed disability under the Equality Act 2010.

I have a few questions if anyone has the capacity to field them:

1. Given some of the doctorate is in university and some on placement, am I eligible for both Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and Access to Work?
2. Can I access a student railcard even though the doctorate is paid?
3. Do I have to keep renewing my Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS while I am doing the doctorate?
4. Does anyone else studying now, or due to start, come from another mental health profession like me? Would love to find other registered professionals to learn more about navigating the professional change!

Thanks in advance!

I’m currently employed in a school after finishing my BSc Psychology and would like to eventually train to work with children and young people. When researching the best pathway it seems as though the recommended route is a pre-clinical masters with the ACP in order to get accepted onto their NHS Doctorate.
This route feels very slow and expensive, with no official qualifications post masters. Can anyone provide me with advice or alternative routes? I am considering training as a CWP or PWP so I can begin working in a field closer to mental health, but am unsure if this is a wasted step? Assistant Psychologist roles seem impossible to come by and I’m struggling to get my foot in the door to any mental health roles, let alone any that work with vulnerable children.
Please share your wisdom and experience 🙏🙏

Hello Everyone.
I am new to applying for AP positions and so far I have not succeeded in securing an interview. I have three years of experience working in the mental health field and hold a master's in clinical psychology. Would anyone be willing to look at my application and tell me how I can improve?

Hello everyone,

I’ve been looking around for people's experiences when applying to the doctorate in clinical Psychology.

For myself, I am graduating from a BPS-accredited course this year with a high 2:1, possibly a first. I have been given a conditional offer for a master's in clinical and health psychology at the University of Liverpool, which I will most likely get. I have also just got a part-time job as a residential crisis support worker, which I will do alongside my master's for at least the next year.

However, that still feels nowhere near competitive enough for the doctorate, from what I have been reading.

For reference, I will be applying to the doctoral programs at the University of Lancaster, the University of Manchester, and the University of Liverpool.

All this being said, it is likely I will have to work for a few more years after my master's to have good chances of being accepted to these programs

Thanks!!

Hi! I'd really love to hear about trainees experiences at Sheffield - how's the course? Did you get to research an area of interest for you?
How did you find living in the city, or did you live elsewhere? What's the DEI stance of the uni like?
Any and all insights really appreciated. TIA!

https://preview.redd.it/s3fdmhxs8xzg1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b6f30ac112c607985fe1b0eb77163829abd7adf

If you have taken part in previous research of mine, this is a fresh study with the final version of the new the Borderline Diagnosis Experience Scale (BDES) and I welcome you to take part once again to help the final validation of this scale.

You are invited to take part in what is hopefully my final PhD study. This is an anonymous survey exploring emotional, cognitive, and behavioural reactions to receiving a diagnosis of BPD. Ethical approval has been granted by St Mary’s University Twickenham (Approval: SMU_ETHICS_2025-26_358).

Study Aims:

1. Compare the BDES with two established surveys
2. Check the BDES measures what it is intended to measure
3. Analyse whether current age, age at diagnosis and gender influences attitudes and diagnosis experiences

This survey can be completed in 20 - 30 minutes. Your participation supports active PhD research into BPD/EUPD and contributes to developing better tools for understanding diagnosis experience. Use the QR Code or Survey Link for more information & to participate: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/stmarys/bpd-experience

Hi. Just wondering if I should try and remain optimistic after both my interviews offering me reserve offers. One of which I have been ranked 26. The other does not say what number I am. I’m mindful 26 is quite high and have basically accepted defeat on that one :( but doesn’t give me much hope for the other…Any wisdom/support would be most appreciated!

Does anyone know how much the UCL reserve offer list tends to move from previous years, I want to get an idea to level my expectations?

This year there are 29 names on the list.

Thanks!