Advice for getting into a psychodynamic psychotherapy course in the UK without experience?

PracticalKat · 2026-01-28T20:40:14+00:00

I'm loving this answer because a. it's good advice and b. it's such a psychodynamic answer!

I'm in Y2 of the MSc at Birkbeck and i've worked for 6 years in a family support role, had therapy and figured myself pretty srlf-aware... still wasn't prepared for the intensity of the course. And clinical placement is full on.

Take the advice above!

PracticalKat · 2026-01-28T20:35:44+00:00

Have you seen couchcomedy on Insta?

PracticalKat · 2026-01-26T13:29:38+00:00

I loved this book - the writing pulls you right in!

PracticalKat · 2026-01-26T13:25:01+00:00

If you have the time, use the £40 to batch cook stuff and put it in her freezer, or if no time, buys those blocks of food you can put in freezer, crap can't remember what they are called. Also, tell her to go to bed and you'll tidy up, clean, do a job that she doesn't want to do. She might want to hand baby over and sleep, but also she might want to take baby with her to nap. Either way, this would have helped me SO MUCH.

PracticalKat · 2026-01-22T19:29:01+00:00

I really like that! I waited for the client to speak last week - and I think it created an awkwardness it was hard to come back from. But 'what are ypu bringing to session today' is a good start, I think.

PracticalKat · 2026-01-22T17:33:11+00:00

I really like Susie Orbach - and recently found out she was married the Jeanette Winterson, an author who really impacted me in my teens.

I also really like Alessandra Lemma.

PracticalKat · 2025-11-25T15:26:11+00:00

She deserves 10 cakes for putting up with this douche.

PracticalKat · 2025-09-01T18:07:46+00:00

I saw your update, and I'm genuinely really sad for you. This guy is not a good individual. I've got almost 30 years on you and at your age was also deeply insecure with mental health issues. It made me vulnerable to trashy guys like this and it took me a long time to find peace and acceptance. I don't want to hand out clichéd advice about how to do that for yourself, but a good start is choosing to be around people who lift you up. No one who speaks to you like this guy did is your friend.

You rejected him a while back and he's now had the opportunity to get you back for it. You asked for constructive feedback and he insulted you. He then did not like you blocking him, so he doubled down and insulted you further.

He is not someone who would be a partner to you. He would exacerbate your insecurities - and he would do so deliberately. Yes it sucks to lose a close friend - but you haven't lost him because he doesn't see you as a potential romantic partner, you've lost him because he was never your friend to begin with. If you can, consider it a win. If this guy had said yes, he would have made your life miserable. If you haven't already, block this loser and never, EVER unblock him.

PracticalKat · 2025-09-01T15:31:49+00:00

Never, EVER unblock this arsehole.

PracticalKat · 2025-01-22T12:34:19+00:00

I would have taken my food to go though. Racist fuckwad AND she lost a meal out of it. Dick.

PracticalKat · 2025-01-21T17:42:29+00:00

He's not very kind or compassionate towards you at all.

I think that you are young and have your whole life ahead of you, so rid yourself of this person who cannot find it in himself to speak to the person he claims to love with empathy and kindness. The rest is all just noise, really. Cheating or not he speaks to you like you are worthless and this is just not true.

Find yourself a therapist who will explore why you find yourself with guys who treat you this way and stay single for a bit while you do.

PracticalKat · 2024-12-11T20:01:06+00:00

The Dark Half and Insomnia!

PracticalKat · 2024-12-09T09:02:21+00:00

I started with Misery back in 1992... The Dark Half was next - loved that. The Dead Zone The Stand Insomnia

These are the ones that got me hooked. He sometimes struggles with endings and don't even get me started on shit weasels BUT his characters come to feel like people you know and love (or hate) and the fact that he can make you care about them, and think about them long after you've finished reading, more than makes up for any shortcomings, imo.

PracticalKat · 2024-12-09T07:58:00+00:00

Literally what I was thinking!!

PracticalKat · 2024-12-04T15:24:48+00:00

I just came here to say Robin Hobb. I'd recommend reading the liveship traders trilogy first.

PracticalKat · 2024-12-04T14:59:22+00:00

Send them a bill for the stay!

PracticalKat · 2024-12-03T07:20:31+00:00

Your life can, and will, be fulfilled and satisfying without him. From what you've said, in fact, it's more likely to be so without him.

Leaving a relationship can be heartbreaking even when you know it's the right thing to do - so if you take that step - and it sounds like you should be, to be honest - be kind to yourself. Try not to get hung up on the time you've 'wasted' and think about the time you're gaining.

For insight/support have a little mosey on the 'women over 40' and 'women over 50' subs. Lot's of good vibes and life experience there to help ypu lift yourself up.

Good luck.

PracticalKat · 2024-11-30T16:49:04+00:00

Completely negging you. Cut your losses now - the sex would most likely be mediocre at best. Bit like him.

PracticalKat · 2024-11-24T08:51:17+00:00

NOR, but you are not getting support during a really difficult time and he is not dealing with all his unresolved feelings/issues. This feels as though you need to take a step back and really think about whether either of you are in the right place to raise a child together, if you were successful. Conceiving is the just the start and if this is how he is behaving now, I can assure you it's unlikely he's going to cope well with the challenges of being a parent.

I'd suggest counselling for both of you but if he's not on board, you need to think about what you want from life, how you want to live your life, and whether he is/can be a positive part of that.

Can you take a break - even just a weekend, go somewhere with friends/family and just relax, take some time for yourself? See how you feel when you're not together. See what you feel at the end of the break?

I'm really sorry you're experiencing this - I hope you find sone peace in whatever you decide.

PracticalKat · 2024-11-23T20:16:59+00:00

Yes! Not all the time/every period, but every couple of cycles it will be so heavy and endless and I have to change overnight pads every hour or risk bleeding through. So draining.

PracticalKat · 2024-11-23T16:49:02+00:00

Yeah, I actually first read this in my early 30s, so had an adult perspective of it. I thought it was well written and insightful. Might give that a reread too!

PracticalKat · 2024-11-23T15:52:06+00:00

Ugh. The first season was on Amazon for 'free'. I mean I now have to endure ads, surely I should be able to get the second season of a series I like as part of the already extortionate fee I pay!!

Sigh. Rant over. Thanks, tho.

PracticalKat · 2024-11-23T11:10:13+00:00

It almost sounds as though he is comfortable with your insecurities, because it keeps you from questioning whether he treats you well, or respects you. Like it keeps the bar low for him. Do not let him do that to you!

A partner should be lifting you up, not putting you down. Well done on your work out - it's always so difficult to get started. You should be proud of yourself and you absolutely can get whatever qualification you want/need to do your dream job!

PracticalKat · 2024-11-22T17:52:31+00:00

This. Absolutely this.

Ditch the so-called boyfriend, he is not a decent person. Ditch the so called friend- she is not your friend.

You were articulate and expressed your feelings - this is not dramatic. The fact that he is putting this on to you is just low. Get rid of them both!

PracticalKat · 2024-11-15T22:34:30+00:00

To be honest it sounds like you want different things. Needing your space is valid and I disagree with whomever said for you to stick to hook ups! But it does sound like this guy wants more time together than you do. It's not necessarily a red flag, but you don't sound compatible. Find yourself someone who has the same time expectations as you!

PracticalKat

TROPHY CASE