Becoming a Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychology training is a popular but demanding option for psychology graduates. This thoughtful, thorough book will equip you with all the information you need about how to prepare for the process, how to survive it, and the kind of career that will await you if you are successful.

Dr Lucy Johnstone, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

This clear, easy to read and accessible introduction to the profession of clinical psychology provides a comprehensive description of the breadth of the profession, the multiple roles practitioners can occupy and the variety of settings their skill set enables them to work in. Those who have no prior knowledge of the profession will be fully informed of the diversity of the job by the end of the book. Through the use of real life case studies and quotes from trainee and qualified clinical psychologists, the authors are able to give a true feel for what it is like to work in clinical services with a range of different client groups, or to act in a consultancy, training or supervisory role.

These issues are covered in the first part of the book. The second half focuses on giving helpful guidance to those wishing to pursue a career in the profession through suggestions on how to gain relevant experience and ideas on how to tackle the task of applying for clinical training. With UK applications currently considerably out-numbering training places, the information provided is insightful, detailed and specific. Again, case studies illustrate actual experiences and demonstrate the variation in experience that can be gained during training. The authors don’t hide the difficulties and challenges that can be encountered and are honest in their appraisal of the likelihood of repeated application attempts. "Have a go" sections are helpful in encouraging readers to think through issues and will help prepare them for the task of completing an application.

Reading this thorough and detailed book will inform those interested in knowing more about what being a clinical psychologist involves and support and encourage those for whom becoming a clinical psychologist is their chosen career goal.

Dr Imogen Rushworth, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Admissions Lead, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, University of East Anglia.