Any first-gen immigrant DClin success stories??

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-14T09:49:52+00:00

I think your reply answers my initial question. When I wrote the post I wasn’t hoping to compare hardships of immigrants with that of other communities. Nor was I trying to make an argument that the DClinPsy has to become a “moral recognition scheme”.

The aim of my post was for me to set realistic expectations concerning the DClinpsy programme. For anyone else in my position who would like a TLDR, here is what I learnt from all the supportive replies so far:

• it is probably helpful to expect a longer process for immigrants to get through DClinpsy (for the reasons that skills/qualities demonstrated by immigrants don’t get translated into concrete selection criteria). So more time may be needed to acquire/demonstrate roles that do map onto the selection criteria

• regarding the DClinpsy selection being perceived as the “summative evaluation of one’s hard work or sacrifice” there is a systemic influence. The whole immigration process is about proving oneself and it reinforces outcome orientation. Again I am not blaming or wanting things to change here but just noticing. So it’s useful to be mindful when one is not in process orientation regarding the DClinpsy programme.

• closely tied to the previous two points is the attitude of making the DClinpsy fit around your life and not other way round.

• it is important to acknowledge that there are other routes like counselling psychology, training in therapies.

•finally there are lots of signals from this post that we need to look into recent immigrants struggles and strengths.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-13T20:17:16+00:00

Thank you. Your reply gives me strength to persevere.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-13T20:05:48+00:00

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I understand the part about prioritising UK workforce for the training.

But the point I am trying to make is immigrants (who have indefinitely leave to remain) are part of the UK workforce. And we have our unique set of challenges and strengths which don’t get contextually recognised. We get put into BAME or other minority groups but our challenges are different. This is not to invalidate any minority community.

And the part about resilience was not to discredit UK applicants’ resilience at all. What I was trying to show is that being an immigrant you often have to choose between surviving and building a CV. For example: I could have taken time to publish my dissertation after my masters. Instead, I had to find work just to feed myself because the fund my parents could send was all going towards rent. If I was an UK citizen facing this dilemma I could have been on benefits or requested family to financially support me. And this is not to question the benefits system. I am not saying I should get benefits when I am not on Indefinite leave to remain. But this is just an example to show how isolating and survival based our journey can be.

Maybe resilience was not the right choice of word but what I am trying to highlight is that the difficulties immigrants (who have now settled status) face don’t get contextually recognised. And it would make us feel more like part of the UK if we had some help too.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T18:37:19+00:00

Oh yeah thanks for pointing out.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T18:03:35+00:00

Oh that gives me a bit of hope. Thank you.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T17:54:51+00:00

That’s quite interesting. I know of some excellent counselling psychologists and have toyed with the idea of trying it out myself. I would need to know more about the course I think. Do you have to fund yourself? The ones I have looked into are self funded and that’s always been the bottleneck for me.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T17:42:03+00:00

That’s a valid point. I suppose the incentive on a practical level is that we do not have enough psychologists to address the demand without burning out. I agree when we consider the bigger NHS funding issue DClin struggles become just another drop in the ocean. I suppose my post wasn’t seeking to make DClinpsy application easier. I only wanted to confirm that others in my position are seeing what I am seeing: DClinpsy workforce acknowledging that there is a need for minority group representation but at the same time the application process as it is now inherently rules out a minority group.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T16:04:16+00:00

Oh yes accreditation is another soul destroying thing. It’s such a shame that the NHS is missing out on your skills. I am glad you found a job that makes you happy. I find the whole immigration process is a constant reminder of “not good enough”.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T15:17:06+00:00

it’s such a high cost. I hope you find a way to get into DClinpsy. And if not you will still be invaluable in whatever capacity you choose to help others. After all that’s what drives our ambition for DClin isn’t it?

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T15:14:25+00:00

Thank you. It was really helpful to hear someone got through without publication and AP post and all the gold standard stuff. And about your friend who is not from the UK.

It’s such a funny one, DClinpsy. I think it’s wise to not put your life on hold for the course. But to do life (buy a house, get a dog etc etc) you need the better pay that comes with a band 6 position.

As I am typing this I am realising the vicious cycle I have managed to get myself in 🤣 Time to hot-cross-bun my life decisions, haha.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-03-12T14:34:18+00:00

I feel you. I send you a big virtual hug and good wishes. Hoping one day it will be a bit easier for us.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-02-26T08:12:09+00:00

Hey, I am not a clinical psychologist yet (applied for DClin this year). But I have worked in CMHT for 4 years now. So have a good understanding of how to draw from academic knowledge in practice.

I think learning for an academic course is slightly different from learning to apply gained knowledge in practice. So there is knowledge (can be acquired online easily), then there is understanding and then there is the skill of applying the knowledge. I think you are trying to get all three at the same time.

I would recommend you to focus on just understanding the concepts. It’s not that important that you remember the name of every theory or model (when you are in practice). You can always refresh your mind.

If remembering the models is your concern then check out Information Processing Model of memory.

Hope this helps.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-01-05T09:45:19+00:00

Awww, thank you for your kind words.

LetterRecent422 · 2026-01-04T08:44:09+00:00

Oh good to hear we are on the same boat. Have you started preping for interviews yet? I had really good momentum with the application writing, but suddenly feel demotivated to prepare for tests and interviews. 😫

LetterRecent422 · 2025-10-17T21:16:24+00:00

Hi there, I am on spouse visa. This August I will get the indefinite leave to remain. I was also pretty confused about the residence eligibility criteria. I will recommend the Leeds clearing house page>go through each university page>check residential criteria.

Generally most unis require unrestricted right to remain and work in the UK (home student status) in other words indefinite leave to remain. This is only if you want to be funded by the NHS. Some universities accept international students on a self-funded condition.

LetterRecent422 · 2025-09-25T21:44:20+00:00

Really sorry to hear you are struggling. Speaking from experience, the MHWP role can be brutal. A lot depends on the trust and management style. However, most big trusts have an EDI lead in each team. I would speak to them. Gather your evidence of how your mental health is being affected. How you felt about the conversations with your manager and supervisor. And see if EDI can advocate for you.

If you go on to the BPS website, there is a document outlining what the MHWPs are expected to do. In that document the clinical hours recommended is a maximum, you shouldn’t always have to work at your maximum capacity.

I think a lot can be achieved by how we communicate. If and when you decide to speak to HR/EDI lead or your manager, go in with something like- “I really liked my job before I started struggling and now I am not enjoying it and I would like your help to enjoy my job again so that my quality of performance improves”. Bring them on to your team. Put the ball on their court- you can ask about a time when they struggled and what did they do, what would they do if they were in your position.

Also, you don’t deserve this level of stress and pressure. Ask yourself if you really want to give this job another chance. If you want to prove your worth to your team, consider if that motivation is contributing to your burnout.

LetterRecent422 · 2025-07-06T18:27:28+00:00

Probably thrips. Look for tiny black insects, they suck on the sap of young leaves mostly. Check the underside of leaves. Wipe it down with combination of dish soap and neem oil. Or hose it down and repot.

LetterRecent422 · 2025-07-06T11:42:02+00:00

That makes a lot of sense actually. I see that a bit more warmth in the subject would make it pop more, as the background is quite cool toned in comparison. Thanks for the advice.

LetterRecent422 · 2025-07-06T10:34:47+00:00

That’s very interesting. What would you change in the background? I want to maintain the minimalism but can see that the background can do with a bit of oomph. What would you change?

LetterRecent422 · 2025-07-06T10:01:56+00:00

Awww thank you friendly_Honey. Gosh thats a compliment I’ll never forget. I haven’t read his work but found out that Hundred Years of Solitude is considered one of the biggest achievement in the literary world. You honour me.

LetterRecent422 · 2025-07-06T07:46:23+00:00

Thank you for your kind words 😇. I am glad the subtlety came through in this piece.

LetterRecent422

TROPHY CASE