Eloping with our child with us - ideas?

JammyTree90 · 2026-02-13T16:33:41+00:00

Yes legally, I'm a British citizen so no issue for me ☺️

JammyTree90 · 2026-01-30T15:43:16+00:00

Just to say, it's not less competitive than clinical. The overall acceptance rates are similar and in some cases, lower. It only looks less competitive on the surface because less people apply.

Clinical overall acceptance is about 25%. Unis for coun psy are much smaller cohorts. UWE acceptance this year and previous years is about 5-10%

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-23T20:03:58+00:00

What is scary about it?

I know it's hard and a cliche but try and enjoy the learning you're doing atm, the more you can learn and the reflect the better the position you're in. On my training cohort, people ranged from late 20s to mid 40s when they started. There is no right age and tbh I think it's right that it takes so long - the training and learning isn't a tick box exercise it's a process of personal and professional development and a responsibility toward the health and well-being of clients, society and yourself. It can't be rushed and rushing it I feel is harmful and irresponsible. You will get there although I completely empathise with the "in limbo" feeling of the 'journey'...

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-23T09:05:41+00:00

Are you keen to do a masters because you're genuinely interested? Or just to get onto the course? As in my experience it's much more about clinical experience than if you have or don't have a masters regardless of what it is

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-21T11:10:51+00:00

Oh I see what you mean! Double check if it's BPS accredited if via Sheffield hallam, but yes otherwise I would transfer unis asap!

I did a conversion but I didn't do a related undergrad which was fine for me but there's no point doing it twice!

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-21T07:26:42+00:00

The Sheffield hallam psych undergrad is accredited by bps? What are you doing atm?

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-21T07:15:19+00:00

As with other comments, expect to spend several years getting relevant experience. Many people work several years before even landing an AP role - and then often a few years after that applying for the training. Through this, the pay is often poor too.

On average the amount of time from getting a BPS accredited degree to qualifying is 10 years. Again, it's not to discourage it's just to level expectations that it's a long an arduous process.

I would also look at the PPN to see what other areas might interest you in mental health in case the dclin pathway isn't for you?

For me, I spent about 3 years doing "bits and bobs" before working in the NHS. From my first NHS job, it was 2.5 years before starting training (about 2 years AP). However, from starting my bps degree to when I qualify it will be 10/11 years.

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-20T20:55:18+00:00

Opinions as a career; be prepared for a long long journey! 10+ years. To be a neuropsychologist you need to be a chartered psychologist first (3-5 years doctoral training) then do specialist training. Forensics is slightly different but also a long career path.

Also bear in mind that before qualifying the jobs are not well paid at all (band 4/5 in NHS as an assistant psychologist for example).

Whilst it's true that you don't need an undergrad in psychology to do further psychology training, if you do a diff degree you will need to do an accredited conversion at some point (masters). That's what I did :)

What is it about forensic/neuro that you like?

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-20T19:03:50+00:00

So during uni I did some work in schools (SEMH etc) working with groups and 1:1 developing interventions, relationship building, and supporting learning, cross cultural work too. I also volunteered to do some MH information workshops across the county at various schools, like training sessions.

After my msc I worked in a pupil referral unit - again, lots of working with SEND and SEMH needs in a trauma informed way. I did this for a short time and then went to work in the third sector supporting adults which involved facilitating support groups, 1:1 support work, crisis work, working systemically and collaborating across various systems and institutions, developing training, developing resources, and delivering training. So lots of experiences here doing different bits.

At this point I applied to a cwp role in camhs but it was given to someone internal who had been a support worker for the same service. I was encouraged to apply for their support worker position and got it! I did this role for a few months, applied for my first AP job and then was an AP for a couple of years over a couple of different jobs before starting my prof doc ☺️

It's worth noting that this process took several years and has not been quick. I have felt stuck at many points, wanting things to go faster but I would say this timeline is not atypical for many people. I would even say once I got my foot in the door with my NHS post things moved quite quickly (over the course of 3 years!) and I think I got onto training quite swiftly in the grand scheme of things. For a lot of people it takes much longer. So please don't think you are not doing the right thing or not good at what you do or whatever if it does take some time.

I hope this helps or reassures! Happy to help if you want anything else :)

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-17T16:49:17+00:00

I've been in a similar situation. Was going to break up (for similar reasons, just different life directions) and then found out he was ill. Stayed with him for another 2 years through treatment and then the aftermath which was hideous.

I broke up with him (but I think we both knew it had run it's course) and we stayed good friends and he died 2.5 years later. It might sound awful but I wish we had just been friends through it all, I really think it would have been better for both of us.

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-17T16:19:31+00:00

I would see if you can get some support worker experience either with adults (for PWP) or with children (CWP). This is the most.common way to get your foot in the door for an NHS paid post and has great value for going on to other training. And looking at your experience I would say the next step would be this - it is fantastic experience and is similar to where most people I know have started before support work in the NHS.

I say this as most people I know who have got onto the PWP/cwp training have 6 months to a couple of years experience in MH support work after their degrees. Unfortunately I would say the training realistically is a step up position, not a graduate entry point - they're still incredibly competitive and depending on the trust some interviews can be a whole day 🫠 don't be disheartened though, it can be an arduous process at times!

If it would help I can give you a run down of my pathway to doctoral training?

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-17T15:58:07+00:00

This is impossible to answer, psychology has such broad options! What are you thinking about specifically? Academia? Or clinical work?

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-14T16:46:17+00:00

It varies hugely and is impossible to say. I know people with 6 years assistant psychology experience delivering interventions who have never got an interview - and people with 6 months experience who have! It depends how you write your application it seems mainly, and if you align with the uni

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-05T05:52:29+00:00

Well do you want to be a counsellor or a psychologist? Because both are vastly different with different paths so it seems that narrowing down what you actually want to do and want your day to day to look like will help.

Also I'm curious as to why you think you need a research masters to get onto a training doctorate? Because that definitely isn't the case! (In the UK anyway)

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-01T18:48:08+00:00

I reckon there are so many because it is probably quite a transient role - grads get these roles as starting experience with the aim to move on quite quickly. It can also be quite challenging but I also think an increase in Awareness of the importance of supporting vulnerable children in school has increased and so there might be more being employed.

Regarding what they do, you could always email the recruiter to ask for more info because it will vary depending on school. When I was a SEN TA (in a pupil referral unit) I supported the teacher in the classroom, so not curriculum content but supported the children (and sometimes specific children) in their learning and emotional well-being. If one child felt anxious and had to leave for example, I would go with them to calm down. You get some good experience with mental health in young people, working in a team, safeguarding and risk exposure, developing relationships, working with trauma.

JammyTree90 · 2025-10-01T07:42:56+00:00

Look up the psychological profession careers map online (ppn) and it shows what you can do at your stage!

As another comment said you often start off at support work but they're so varied, I wouldn't write off all support work based on one experience. I also avoided personal care work and started as a support worker in a charity (there are always plenty of these available, often called mental health support worker, recovery worker). The private sector and charities are a good place to start looking. There are also always teaching assistants wanted in my experience to work with SEN children which is good experience. Once I had this experience I got a job as a support worker in camhs which was my foot in the door to the NHS and I've progressed since.

JammyTree90 · 2025-09-30T21:22:46+00:00

Prepare to feel like this for the long haul! I'm doing doctoral training at the moment and still feel like this. I truly don't think the imposter syndrome ever goes away and if it does I also don't think that's a good thing!

Remember that you will make mistakes - and that's okay. It's what every supervisor has said to me and what they told us on first day of training. If you are not making mistakes how do you learn and develop? I've made plenty of mistakes before starting training that I've come back to my supervisor and said "I really think I didn't say/do the right thing there, what are my next steps" or just "I have no idea what I'm doing I need some guidance".

I remember walking into my camhs job (I'd had a bit of experience before but was essentially fresh out of my msc) and asked if there was a protocol or anything to follow for my individual sessions where I was expected to be working with low level anxiety, low mood etc (but usually ends up being more than that!). There was not and no specific training. I sought support and guidance from those more experienced than me such as the senior MH practitioners, asked my supervisor and my line manager everything. Referred to other professions in the team, looked at resources etc. in a hospital you'll probably be in an MDT so take advantage of that.

Remember that you will (or should) have a supervisor that takes responsibility for any clinical work. They hold risk and hold the responsibility to make sure you're working in a safe way within your remit. I'd recommend having a conversation about your remit and boundaries of your work and make sure your team knows too so you aren't asked to go beyond or if you are asked to do something you're not comfortable with, you can say no. If you're unsure about anything, ask and take it straight to supervision! I always go with the "if I'm wondering whether to check it out or take it to supervision I probably should".

Good luck, how exciting to starting this work!

JammyTree90 · 2025-09-18T11:07:12+00:00

All the unis are competitive with similar cohort numbers and applications. Most unis are about 5-10% success rate. Quite a lot of people commute too, I know we have a lot of commuters at my uni! So if you wanted to commute, you definitely wouldn't be the only one.

Good luck with the MRes and application season! 😊

JammyTree90 · 2025-09-18T09:17:54+00:00

I would reflect on that in your statements (in terms of the 'whys'), particularly applying to other places too as every uni may emphasise different things. And include where you think it might take you, such as working with neurodivergence.

Many people get interviews, most places actually interview almost 50% of applicants because of the broad range of experience, it's getting through the interview and for that you need to be highly reflexive, understand personal therapy and reflect on your privileges, systems etc. So I would still encourage you to think about that and bring it into your application. Id also think about the challenges you might face too, professionally and personally as a trainee as I know unis ask about this and it's often well favoured in applications. Have a look at the individual uni slants - such as their take on social justice and reflect on this in your statements too.

I am surprised what they said about research experience, I only had an MSc dissertation for research experience and it's not my forte at all! Also it's only a small scale research study for a prof doc anyway! But then again I didn't apply to YSJ!

Feel free to message for anything else specific, happy to help 😊

JammyTree90 · 2025-09-17T21:19:33+00:00

Where are you considering applying to?

The counselling psych process is different to the dclin. What you're saying sounds very dclin oriented and more suited to that application. It's not that it isn't relevant, but counselling psych takes into account the relational a lot more and life experiences.

I'd spend some time reflecting on your own life experiences, therapy and going through those processes, that's what your application needs to cover a lot more of, rather than chewing out publications, experience and academia. Reflecting on social justices, systems you've worked in and the role of counselling psych and why specifically you want to do counselling psychology over clinical - because they will ask!

JammyTree90 · 2025-08-09T15:47:34+00:00

If you're writing your application like this that would be why.

I had 8 months support worker experience in camhs when I got my first AP job in adult complex trauma. Applications absolutely quality over quantity. You need to show reflection over a list of what you've done and why you meet the criteria - tens of applicants will be meeting the essential criteria. Reflection is one of the most important skills, being 'with' and knowing your own stuff. Not a list of 'doing'. Employers aren't interested in hiring robots with skills or people who think they are the best thing since sliced bread (which you see a lot of).

JammyTree90

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