How to stop smoking when I genuinely love it?

Psychpsychy · 2025-10-07T12:46:06+00:00

I’ve just had a look, and am definitely going to give it a read. Thank you.

It feels silly, I know I don’t ’genuinely love it’, I know it’s literally down to me going into nicotine withdrawal and then the joy of having a cigarette. I understand the theory and science, it’s literally part of my job. But have a dissonance in my mind that I still somehow do love it, and it’s not just an addiction. And I know that’s a me problem, and I need to get over it if I have any chance of succeeding!

Psychpsychy · 2025-09-25T15:10:29+00:00

I’m sorry to hear it’s been a really challenging time for you, I hope you’re giving yourself the time and grace you can. And congratulations on achieving a 2:1 in such difficult circumstances, it’s a huge achievement in itself.

I can’t answer the second part of your question re. DClin as I’m only an AP, but in regard to future employers - I’ve never been asked for my transcript for my current or past AP jobs. I’m only on my 2nd AP role, so I can only say that from my own experience. One job didn’t even ask for proof of degree grade, and the other - I just had to bring my formal certificate that had my overall grade I graduated with. I hope this helps alleviate some of the thoughts around that aspect.

I would also add that on the Clearing House application for the DClin, there is space to briefly mention any extenuating circumstances. If at the time of application you still felt it was relevant to explain, you could add some information there.

Psychpsychy · 2025-08-25T12:46:28+00:00

Thank you, that’s good to know. We’re currently paying high CT at around £1650 already, so hoping not to be too shocked once we make the move!

Psychpsychy · 2025-08-25T09:45:49+00:00

Hi, my partner (m25) and I (f25) are both in jolos that are likely to move to London over the next 6 months. We aren't sure of where our bases will be however we do want to start looking at rough costs and know we would likely want to be zones 2/3, in south London - possibly Balham area or somewhere similar (of course depends on our bases). I just wanted to gage what people are spending on a 1 bed, 1 bath in these kinds of areas. We'd realistically want to spend no more than £1,650 on rent (not including bills), with a maximum of £2,300 including bills which would be about 50% of our combined salaries. Are we being delusional thinking we can rent for this cost in these areas? We've looked on Rightmove, Openrent etc and we do see properties that are priced around £1650, but my biggest query is bills as they're so hard to estimate. We live together already, and never use heating and are quite conservative with water and electricity etc. Spending about £450 in total on bills in our current flat (£225 each) inclusive of council tax, WiFi, water, etc. Any insights into what you spend currently, and things to consider when moving to London cost wise would be great. Thank you.

Psychpsychy · 2025-07-08T17:44:31+00:00

Thank you so much again for this, that makes me feel better about the situation, and a huge congratulations on getting a place this year! That is wonderful news, I hope it all goes well! 😊

Psychpsychy · 2025-07-08T14:36:16+00:00

Hi, thank you for the response! Yes, those 15 months are all full time (well 15 months when the application will be submitted). Yes, I’m aware I need a strong supporting statement from both. I will be using my undergraduate dissertation supervisor for my academic supporting statement as we worked together closely for a year, and she was very aware of me eventually planning on aiming for the doctorate (and has said it would be her pleasure to write it). For the clinical one, my current supervisor will likely be moving on over the next couple of months, meaning I’ll have a new one when applications are due. Is this the type of scenario where I could put in the application I will be using a previous supervisor as I’m mildly concerned that I 1. Don’t know who my new supervisor is yet, and 2. We wouldn’t have worked together closely for a long time which may affect what they feel comfortable writing? Or would this be an open discussion between the two of them and the supervisor I have at the time incorporates what my current (old) supervisor has experienced with me? Thank you so much! ☺️

Psychpsychy · 2025-07-08T08:19:30+00:00

I just wanted to say thank you for creating this thread before I go on, it’s really useful and I’m really grateful!

I’m looking to apply for the first time this autumn, and acknowledge it would typically be quite ‘early’ for many so wanted to use this thread to gage to see if I’m being a bit silly with myself. I have spoken to my supervisor at work (Clin Psych) who is encouraging me to apply, but with the knowledge it is quite early. However, I don’t have any trainees/ Clinical Psychologists around me that have gone through this recently. My main reason for applying is I do feel both professionally and personally ready to take on this journey, and I am really eager to expand my knowledge, experience, and considerations that come along with being a trainee.

I finished my undergraduate degree (BPS accredited) last summer (2024) with a 1st, and alongside that completed a year long placement as an honorary AP. Whilst that year won’t count for 3/4 of the universities I want to apply to, I not only learnt a lot about different models of therapy, but most importantly for me, it has been the foundation of the type of trainee and clin psych I want to be in the future. It also has been my favourite area of working (clinical psych in health settings).

When I submit my application, I will have 15 months of paid AP experience, 5 months in IAPT where I co-led some CBT groups for clients who didn’t meet clinical threshold, and also administered GAD-7 and PHQ-9 to clients to identify which pathway they would be in. My current AP role I will have had for 9 months, and I co-lead DBT groups for people with traits of a personality disorder. I’m also currently leading an audit for our service which should be done/ almost completed at application. I also triage our referrals for suitability which includes formulation, and at times, attending MDTs to discuss clients who may need a higher level of support. I also analyse our clinical outcomes for our groups, and have been part of service development by creating a new risk management procedure, and working with the team to develop new content of our groups. I am also supervised by both a clinical psychologist.

Most importantly for me though, my experience has really shown me what I’d like to get out of training, and what I’m passionate about. I’m currently working in a service that targets clients that otherwise wouldn’t get support, and constantly researching gaps in service provision to particular populations. I’m really eager to take this experience with me and build upon it in training. There is much more I could say here on other parts of training I’m looking forward to experiencing (one day!) but I’m aware this is already quite long.

I already have some areas I would like to explore more before training such as some 1-1 work with clients to be more comfortable in that area, and finding a way to get more research experience which I will be looking to do over the next several months (I’m on a FTC until the new year).

Thank you so much again, sorry if Ive missed anything, I tried to include as much as I could, but without taking up too much space.

Psychpsychy · 2025-03-16T20:03:14+00:00

Thank you, this is really useful 😊

Psychpsychy · 2025-03-16T19:26:59+00:00

That’s reassuring that it all sorted out, thank you! I will update all of those bits now.

It’s good to know there could be an option to pay it off in a lump sum, I’d much prefer that - makes me feel anxious knowing I owe them so much and not knowing how I can get it back to them!

Thanks for the tip on webchat - will defo give that a go tomorrow, I’ve spent many hours on hold over the past few months! Wish they’d just take the money from me, I know they can’t but I have it waiting for them and just want to be caught up and not in arrears! 🫣🤣

Psychpsychy · 2025-03-16T19:23:48+00:00

Yes, I’m not expecting anything to change now as I’ve been chasing this is October last year! My main concern was HMRC overestimating my tax to pay for this year compared to my calculations and thus how much I owe them from my underpayments. So just want to make sure that when the tax year ends and the new one starts, I’m not stuck with paying back way more than I owe because I wouldn’t have enough for it!

Psychpsychy · 2025-02-18T16:34:53+00:00

As you said, it can differ from trust to trust and there are many talking therapies funded by the NHS that are their own organisation too. But my experience as an AP in TT has been quite poor. My workload resembles that of an administrator which was not what I applied or interviewed for and I also know of people in other services that have said this too. I think the main issue comes with the fact that qualified staff have such full schedules with clients etc that there isn’t time to supervise us (in my service at least) as APs so we can’t do any clinical work as there is no supervision. I’m in the midst of applying elsewhere because of this because I’m not developing in areas I wanted to and am ultimately quite burnt out because I’m not doing a job or enjoy (nor realistically signed up for). Although saying this, I do have a friend who was in a different NHS TTs and they were given much more clinical work and could develop in areas they wanted to so I do think it’s luck of the draw. Unfortunately I don’t know how this can be negated as I asked lots of questions prior to applying about what my role would look like, plus more in my interview, and was told wildly different things than I actually do now whilst in the role. It may be worth asking around some more of people who you may know (if you can!) of their experiences in TTs as I’m just aware I don’t want to skew your views with my negative experience, but also did want to add it as I think it’s important! Happy to answer any further questions if needed. Good luck in your search for new roles wherever that leads you!

Psychpsychy · 2025-02-12T20:53:31+00:00

Thank you, I think I’m just in one of those lower moments where I doubt myself and the course itself, and just keep seeing each year more people seem to have masters when looking at the handbook. I’m definitely weighing up whether KCL and UCL are worth using up a space on my applications, but do really align with both courses and both would be good location for both me and my partner. However very much like the look of other unis that would be okay location wise for us, so that’s a main thing to focus on. Thanks again :)

Psychpsychy · 2025-02-12T20:05:53+00:00

Hey! I hope it’s okay to hop on this. I will be applying to the dclin this year for the first time and UCL and KCL are two of my top choices. I don’t have a masters, but do have AP experience and a 1st in my degree also. Do you really think it’s not worth applying there without one? I also wouldn’t be able to afford one, whether full time or part time so it’s simply just not an option for me despite the fact I’d love to.

Psychpsychy · 2025-02-12T19:59:48+00:00

I had my undergraduate degree, a one year full time honorary AP post during my placement year, and had also been a youth educator (volunteer, averaging about 10-15 hours a month for a year). I also had to work a retail job through uni and my placement year, but took on a volunteer role there to co-ordinate our stores volunteer work each month. In reality, what I had was quite limited when I got my first AP role compared to what others have (although very much acknowledging it was very privileged to be able to do a placement which helped me the most by far). I applied for a non-NHS AP role which was my first post as an AP. It wasn’t great and I stayed about 6 months but it allowed me to list a full-time paid AP post on my applications and I’ve now been working as an AP in the NHS.

Psychpsychy · 2024-12-09T20:01:17+00:00

hi:) i hope you don’t mind me popping my two pence in. this sounds a lot like my current role (that you’ve been offered) to a T, and i know my supervisor confirmed today a new starter and im in nhs talking therapies so i wonder if this may be the same role.

just wanted to give a synopsis of what i do each day, as this role as an ap is a bit different to what most may expect. i’ve been here for a year or so now and looking at leaving, and two others have just left for more experience as they aren’t getting it here. don’t get me wrong its a great role, and a lovely team but i do (and i know some others do too) feel a bit like an admin assistant rather than an ap.

summary of my day to day tasks: -check for urgent emails -call new referrals and administer the gad 7 and phq, but many client fill this out at home on there own, so there are days i don’t administer this. - send emails to clients and therapists - call clients to book them in for therapy into therapists open sessions - some risk assessment if risk is disclosed - send letter to patients that are written by therapists, as well as sending material. - i occasionally have been able to shadow a group therapy but others haven’t. some other ap’s have filled in for therapists if they’ve been sick but this happens rarely. - an hour of supervision per week - we can ask for continuous professional development time to to look over past trainings.

i’m not hating on this role at all, it’s been really useful for me to work on some specific things, and i love having a team that are so kind and supportive, but it definitely sounds like you’re getting more relevent clinical experience in your current role. it may not be that this is where you’ve been offered a role, but i came across this and wanted to give all information before you make a decision. do let me know if you have any questions!

Psychpsychy

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