Is it ridiculous to try and become a child psychologist at 42?

Look here for the BPS guide to careers in psychology

https://www.bps.org.uk/career-options-in-psychology

as people have said upthread, qualifying as a clinical psychologist is v hard because you need several years of relevant experience to get on the training course.

Educational psychologist might be a bit easier.

and there are many other psychology-related options that don't need so much training

This is an accurate picture IME and then add in moving geographically for the course and then work - I’ve never known anyone not need to move

Btw some of the people here are talking about the brutality of the path and lack of jobs. They're often referencing Clinical Psychology routes. You could become a child psychologist without being Clinical. It's not the only path

I was thinking law until said arts based.
I really changed direction at at 45 but stayed same profession just totally different area and moved from private to public sector. Plus do a volunteer role with an organisation for children.

Psychology is a profession that rewards grey hairs and experience (I am one!).

I say go for it. You could have another 25 years of working life ahead of you if you wanted to, not because you had to, but because you find it interesting and rewarding.

My only warning is make sure you are ok doing the stats and science modules feeding into it. But usually everyone can get through that with a bit of graft and effort

I would always say go for it BUT there are much easier ways to work with kids in a therapy setting- why specifically are you wanting to do this route in psychology?

I’d narrow down more what it is you want to do

Yep i've been there too! Got a top grade degree, worked as an Assistant Psychologist for 3 years getting a low wage, applied for a the Clinical Psych Doctorate course 3 times before I made a decision that enough was enough! Even had a research publication.

I really would look at alternatives careers tbh. Some of my friends did succeed and found that it's stressful working in that field so in some ways I'm happy for me that I didn't get on although stung at the time.

I really must emphasise get relevant work experience, see what current practice look like and the demands
Disavow yourself of heroic notions of saving children & big interventions. Think about having a caseload, clinic and meeting KPI and targets set by the health trust

Yup, that's why I said it was intense!

but they both are now doing very very well.

That's why I cautioned on that bit. Especially with a young DC.

During clinical training you’re employed and salaried by NHS, You are also on long placements with assessments & observation to complete. It’s quite full on

I’m really curious to know what your current job is…well-paid, soul destroying but creative? I didn’t think there were well paid creative jobs!

Agree. I tried it too. It's fiercely competitive. I applied for the doctorate 3 times, having been an Assistant Psychologist for 3 years and loads of voluntary experience. The closest I got to an interview for the course was the reserve list.

I wouldn't bother.

You’re going to be 50 , all that time otherwise doing a job that is soul destroying. The journey to 50 sounds better doing something you will be happier in.

The doctorate to qualify as a Clinical Psychologist is a full time role and you are employed by the NHS.

I know four people who became clinical psychologists relatively recently. Three had psychology degrees - two had firsts, one had a 2:1 - and the other did a master’s in psychology to convert from another degree. Of those with psychology degrees, two worked as assistant psychologists for about two years before getting on the course. The other had a PhD in psychology and had a paid job as a researcher at university in psychology before getting on the course. Three were in their mid-20s, and one was 30.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/clinical-associate-psychology

This be worth considering?

Do you mean educational and child psychologist? If so, it is very competitive but age is definitely not a barrier. You would just want to have a plan B so it wasn’t a waste of a masters.

Someone else has suggested speech therapy - there are some speech therapy roles that are very psychological, whichever aspect of psychology appeals. Stammering treatment is very counselling heavy, brain injury is very neuropsychological, etc. And it’s only a two year masters.

To be clear the doctorate is a generic training it doesn’t qualify you as a child psychologist . Do doctorate you’ll then apply for rotation or posts that specialise in child and adolescent

Why that specialism?

Really, go get work experience see if it’s the environment for you

Get a back up plan so if this doesn’t work out you have options

My peer group have just turned 50 and a lot of them are branching out into these areas now, mainly from education based working backgrounds.

There's also a lot of movement into SEN.

They have all got the jobs they wanted, or started their own companies and they all say their success is because they come from other backgrounds.

The only thing I'd caution about, is that they all worked while gaining their additional qualifications. Which is a bit intense for a few years.

I don’t think direct from MSc to doctorate is realistic. Normally you work as an assistant psychologist for a few years then apply for the doc.

Two relatives did this - both in their fifties, and both have full client lists now.

Exactly and as someone who has tried to get on it, it is very, very hard. I didnt try a 4th time, I ended up going to work on a psych ward and becoming a therapist. Many of the mental health nurses/HCAs I worked with had also tried to get on the clin psych training and failed.

Again, I am not trying to be negative but if you are going to go for it, do it with your eyes open.

Oh and btw, the clinical psychologists I do know dont get paid very much for the massive responsibility they have. Looking back, I am actually quite glad I didnt get in.

Personally I’d look at your current well paid but soul destroying you hate role and see if you could utilise that skill set in another way or environment.

your life experience will give you an edge. You’ll need experience of working in similar capacity. Some masters courses have the option of working on a placement. Getting onto the doctorate will be a lot about your experience so volunteer, do placements and see if you can work as an Assistant Psychologist.