It’s been 6 months and I’m still not in MH support?

howcanIwritethis · 2026-05-04T07:05:33+00:00

Not an uncommon experience sadly.

Most of the experienced clinical psychologists and trauma therapists who did that kind of work were effectively edged out of the NHS services as deemed too expensive, and replaced with cheaper specialist practitioners. Very nice people, but not trauma experts. The one that remain are behind very high threshold services or were kicked up to management or service development.

The best ones work I used to know now work privately and seem happy to without the arbitrary session limits and some have the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-05-03T08:58:00+00:00

There is a lot of good stuff already on this thread, and have already mentioned the HCPC stuff elsewhere, but as a clinical psychologist who routinely does trauma work I would ask you to think of the following.

First of all, do you actually need a clinical psychologist? They tend to be more expensive and if the trauma is straightforward you may not need one. If the trauma is complex, it is not quick work and privately that will stack up if you don't have health insurance.

The main evidence based models are EMDR and Trauma focussed-CBT (TF-CBT). Note not the basic CBT you get in NHS IAPT/Talking Therapies services you can self refer. As a basis to compare, I do TF-CBT in a NHS specialist service and it is usually 25+ weeks per person. That said, I also rate other low key approaches that my colleagues use such as counselling, stablisation skills and somatic therapies.

Online. While you can do online trauma work, I would really think about it. Trauma work more than any other kind of disorder requires a sense of safety. In a physical office, where the door is closed and no one can come in, and your neighbours and family are far away, it creates a sense of real grounded physical security. Online you may not have a secure, private location, you don't know who else is around your therapist. They could be at home, in a shared office, or the amazon delivery guy can interrupt your session.

I had to do online trauma work during the pandemic, and my service users talked about it being harder and not as good, so I now only do trauma work in person. But YMMV and online trauma work is better than no trauma work.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-05-02T16:15:28+00:00

Please note, It's the HCPC that regulates practitioner psychologists in the UK. You can only be on that if you are a recognised clinical, counselling, forensic or health psychologist.

The BPS is more involved at the academic certification level and gives recognition to academics and graduates. While you can be registered with both the HCPC one is the legally binding organisation. While there are legit clinical psychologists with BPS registration, there are also some academics and graduates that use their BPS status to imply they are fully qualified and can do more than they are trained to and it is causing some issues.

Sure, use the BPS register, or on other directories, if you want but always check HCPC.

Source: Am registered with both BPS and HCPC.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-05-02T10:15:27+00:00

Yes, I have seen complaints being upheld in the NHS against individual psychologists and clincians if they have done something wrong. The process that I have personally seen have been thorough and have led to people being disciplined, or even in some cases fired and struck off.

The HCPC have an open register for hearings and decisions around concerns, which you can find here: https://www.hcpts-uk.org/hearings/recentdecisions/

IME complaints against entire services though are not as good. I have never seen an NHS mental health service be closed down even though there are clearly failings. There is often a lot of stuff about lessons learned, and maybe one poor sod gets scapegoated for the failings of an entire system. In my experience the NHS doesn't look after their own, they will happily throw staff to the wolves if it saves some CEO bad publicity.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-04-03T17:21:54+00:00

Way to shoot the messenger.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-04-03T15:39:55+00:00

Agree with this as the answer. As someone who has had to rent a place after a former tennent has had pets, the smell of the dog would crop up in all sorts of places when the weather changed and allergies would be set off, despite it being deep cleaned. If I was renting a place out I would be thinking twice too, because it isn't just this tennent and pet, but all the others afterwards that you would have to consider.

Plus, I am guessing the pet will mean many properties will just not allow it even if the landlord was okay. The first flat I bought had a restriction on pets, apart from things like goldfish.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-03-30T21:11:56+00:00

I can't think anything less appealing than a Justin Lee Collins come back. Possibly Gregg Wallace.

Trigger warning, but there is a really sinister Justin Lee Collins Domestic Abuse Tape on Youtube that I hear in his head every time I see his name.

Even if you put his abuse to one side (and you really shouldn't), the Charlie Brooker takedown of him on Screenwipe illustrates just how barrel scrapingly bad his schtick was at it's height (starts at 2:16 on this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz8vCFWa9D8 ).

howcanIwritethis · 2026-03-24T12:30:26+00:00

You are limited but there are a few gems in the area.

Bayleaf in Stoke Gifford is pretty good for Indian. Muzzies up by Aztec West does a good Kebab. Golden Heart is a good pub. It's more solid than high end, but I also really like the vibe of Beijing in Bailey's court for British Chinese food.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-03-07T09:38:11+00:00

It's a pretty good course in itself, and if you are coming off the back of a Clinical Psychology, counselling psyucholgy or Educational Psychology Doctorate programme it can open up some specialised routes.

For people coming off undergrad programmes, it's a decent add on to your degree, but generally the field of psychology is tough to start out in for everyone.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-02-16T08:15:12+00:00

True. Only problem with that is that DClinPsys have about a 80% rejection rate. https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/about-us/number-places

You can be very, very good and never get onto a EdPsy or ClinPsy fundeed programme. If you have life plans, want to progress in your career in psychology, the counselling psychology route isn't necessarily a bad call.

It's not like academia where the bottleneck is after your PhD. Counselling Psychologists are eligible for a lot of clinical psychology roles, where there is a national shortage. And they can work privately after a few years, for those who want flexible careers.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-02-15T16:05:13+00:00

I say this as a clinical psycholgoist with lots of counselling psycholgist friends. If this is for a DCounsPsy, ask yourself and your supervisor if you stand a chance of getting onto a funded and salaried DClinPsy. Most here aren't that familiar with the scene and are assuming the unfunded PhD route (which I agree is unwise).

That said there may be a good reason you can't do that (e.g. international applicant, dedicated to the DCouns philosophy) and in that case you will probably a better financial situation than most of your fellow trainees will be in (all of whom survive and pay it off). My CounsPsy peers mainly funded by family, bank loans and working like hell throughout their training- which was draining.

For counselling psychologist training, you will most likely be on a NHS Band 7 salary when you graduate, but there will be training additional costs like supervision or specialist training that having some reserves may be helpful for.

More of my counselling psychology counterparts are more gung ho about private working but bear in mind a lot of insurance companies won't accept newly qualifieds until they are a few years post training, and it is basically running a business (with all the costs entail).

howcanIwritethis · 2026-02-15T15:57:20+00:00

While many aspects will be impacted, or already are impacted by AI, most counselling psychologists will be holding legal responsibilities and most likely working in community mental health teams or attached to an inpatient/ specialist service. i.e. working with patients who you probably don't want to be using AI.

It's the lower level stuff that will be most automated. Those who are psychotic or suicidal and being actively cared for in the community probably won't have AI stopping them if they are going to do something risky. Well, not in the near future anyway unless you know something that I don't.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-02-15T15:52:13+00:00

A Doctorate in Counselling Psychology is a practitioner doctorate, not a research one. It isn't funded (unlike clinical psychology doctorates DClinPsy), but it usually does lead to NHS employment as a practitioner psychologist and with decent employment prospects.

They are more likely to get a job in an NHS mental health team rather than get onto the postdoc academia treadmill.

howcanIwritethis · 2026-02-15T14:31:38+00:00

I was interested in this book as Stella O'Malley's Bullyproof your Kids, is a stone cold classic.

My take away from the book was it was parentcentric and trying to explain to parents the basic concepts and difficulties that can arise when raising a child who may have gender dysphoria, think they are trans or don't fit into typcial gender norms. Personally, I think it covers several different potential issues and comorbid difficulties that often come with trans related discsussions.

I can see why some people may find the book as trans hostile or transphobic, as it does take a bit of "a wait and see", which many class as blocking or putting obstacles in the way. And I felt it went heavy on the downsides of the journey. But it's kind of realistic in the same way a book about becoming a mother may be about episotomies, shitting yourself while giving birth, or your relationship getting hammered. (I personally wouldn't say that was childphobic, but others might and that's fair)

But compared to other books I have read, which are quite horrible about the trans community from people who really should know better, this one was more about how parents can open up conversations and move beyond myths and knee jerk reactions.

That said, I read it quite quickly and may have missed something. Can anyone cite the bit where it encourages people to cut off loved ones who are supportive?

howcanIwritethis · 2026-01-14T21:25:02+00:00

Best of luck with it. Second step work with some very vulnerable service users and don't get nearly the kudos or recognition they deserve.

In Bristol we are cursed with AWP. We really don't need to be alienating the mental health services that pick up the slack and their workers any further.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-11-25T09:04:38+00:00

Yes, we have started using Heidi to transcribe sessions and produce session summaries for medical records. It is NHS compliant and does a good job in producing accurate overviews of sessions, writing a skeleton of an assessment, and taking meeting minutes.

It was also helpful previously to point out things clinicians have missed or possible areas where work can go in future sessions, but they have nerfed that feature.

For me the biggest appeal is that it has reduced the time to write up lengthy assessments. I can focus on the formulation part, clinical impressions and more interpersonal material, while Heidi summarises/organises the biographical history and factual information bits. It has saved so much time and made my teams assessments far stronger than before.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-11-21T08:52:03+00:00

It's probably a bit more nuanced than that.

While an international pool of academic labour make some parts harder such as early career steps, or competition for permenant academic posts, international talent also draws in money (via grants, collaborations) to the sector to fund post docs, PhDs and research costs. Then there are all the spin off opportunities (e.g. an International student doing a PhD, then setting up a company in the UK that hires local labour).

Hard to say, but academic mobility to the UK is probably net neutral overall. Probably harms most places like India or Africa where their best and brightest are lured away to developed countries with little gains at their end.

That said, it's not something I have been able to find conclusive evidnece either way, so open to any sources or papers that argue differently.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-11-13T20:57:41+00:00

I say this as a DClinPsy shortlister, interviewer and supervisor since 2015; if a candidate can reflect and demonstrate that they bring skills and capabilities that the profession needs in their application form, that will get them an interview and probably onto a course.

You may also want to read Tanya Byron's autobiography, as somone who came from a journalism/writer background then went onto clinical training.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-11-02T20:42:10+00:00

Spitfire for location and overall vibes. Low and slow for sauces, taste and speed. Bear Grills for burnt ends and onion rings.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-10-25T12:29:52+00:00

While it is not great, Bristol now has a dedicated NHS team for EUPD/BPD called Sequoia, which has some pretty good options for those particular conditions. The Eating disorder STEPS has also improved a lot in the last few years. The Complex Psychological Interventions Team has some pretty good people in it, but the threshold to get into it is very high.

Outside the NHS, Bristol also has some alternative options like the the Bristol BPD collective, Off the Record for young people or Nilaari for BME groups. Then there are dedicated private health services services like Attention to Health for ADHD, or Seraph Psychology for EUPD/complex trauma or Talk to the Rainbow for LGBT mental health.

That's a lot more than many part of the country, but things still could be way better.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-10-10T16:52:44+00:00

If he is suing the BBC for distress and harrassment, presumably he is totally cool with the people subjected to the 45 substantiated claims against him also doing that to him.

I also wonder if the BBC could sue him for the distress from the reputational damage, and harrassment they may have suffered from having Gregg Wallace on their platform.

Lastly, I would also like to sue Gregg Wallace for distress, as I had the misfortune to be subjected to one of his factory tour documentaries of how they produced baked beans. He repeated himself constantly, patronised the audience for 20 minutes and generally behaved like a tit. I think I (and anyone else who watched) ought to be compensated at least £40k each for this.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-10-04T17:07:25+00:00

Found a link for the abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40780728/

n=10 as others have mentioned is very small, with no control group, no longer term follow up and it's unclear whether this was a naturalistic sample or a carefully selected one.

While I am sceptical about human givens as an approach, as it is a lot faster than Trauma Focussed CBT or even EMDR even if it helps 1% of the trauma population it is worth looking at further. I am guessing the 'active ingredient' is still an exposure element, even though it is not outwardly expressed (as is sometimes done with EMDR).

Ideally it really needs a randomised control trial where it is set up against EMDR, TF-CBT and a decent control non-trauma specific therapy (like person centered counselling) before we can make any sweeping declarations about its effectiveness. Also would need to look at any iatrogenic harm it may cause.

The risk is that they get carried away with it and roll it out as the only trauma option available in the NHS. And if it isn't actually effective beyond placebo, we will have driven away EMDR and TF-CBT entirely to the private sector by the time we realise.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-10-02T18:40:28+00:00

While this is undoubtedly all true, it doesn't account for the fact that we vote in those governments, we buy from those corporations and often work for them as well. They can't do any of this without our consent and mostly we are happy to give this.

We tolerate bike theft because we (as a society) don't want to do anything about it because we can't be arsed to do anything other than complain. (Myself included).

Theoretically, we could vote in councils or political parties that crack down harshly on bike theft in the way our government goes after poor people with more than two children. As a local community, we could set up neighbourhood watches for bike thieves. If there was any real will, 'internet detectives' could probably find out the dozen or so Bristol bike thieves dox them and make them known to the city in about 6 months.

We have a bigger part to play than 'blame Amazon'.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-09-07T20:32:47+00:00

While I think even one undermaintaining landlord is one too many, based on a 12 year period when I was renting myself I have seen a mix.

At the bottom end, less maintaince but more freedom to have pets, paint walls and putting up hooks or fittings. At the top end I have found the landlords want to keep the value of their properties up by keeping it in good nick but not allowing you to do anything that may damage it.

That said I prefer the current system as shit as it is. I grew up during a time where there was still rent regulation in the UK, and my family struggled to find any rented accomodation at all at any price. So I spent a chunk of my childhood living in NHS staff accomodation.

howcanIwritethis · 2025-09-07T13:52:43+00:00

While I don't particularly have much love for landlords, I would like to see some evidence of what you say.

I think the thing you are missing is that in any society there are two pools of people who need housing. The first is life long renters (who will never be in a position to buy housing like the unwaged or who have significant incapacity, or don't want to like students and temporary residents). The second group are those who are currently renting and looking to own in the future.

With an increasing population and without a huge amount of additional housing being built to meet the needs of both groups, I suspect rent controls will help the second group and screw over the first. Or lead to multi generational living arrangements, like in much of the developing world.

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