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

[Spookygoose]

AIBU to even consider trying to do this? I’ve got a very high-paying but soul destroying career that I’ve begun to really hate (and which is completely unrelated to psychology). I want out and would love to train as a child psychologist. I own my own home outright & I’m married with one primary-age DD. I’ve got the funds to put myself through a psychology conversion MSc and then the 3 or 4 year doctorate to be able to practice as a licensed psychologist. However, I could not move to another area of the country for the doctorate (which I know is sometimes necessary). I live in the South East. I know doctorate programs are also ridiculously competitive and I’m not confident I’d be one of the most academically gifted students. My previous career was in the arts and I’ve always been creative but not amazing when it comes to maths and science. On top of that, even in the likely event I managed to get onto a doctorate not long after the MSc, is still be pushing 50 by the time I qualify. Am I dreaming or has anyone actually done anything similar?

It's a very competitive career pathway. You won't just walk onto the DClinPsy. You will need to work as an AP or similar role for at least a year or two, to get on the doctorate. You won't just walk into an AP post. You need relevent clinical experience to work as an AP. It's also a lot of hard work on the doctorate. You will be on placement in the NHS for 3 days a week, plus attending uni 1-2 days a week, plus have course work requirements. The actual thesis is just part of it, you have to do case reports and essays too. It's an incredibly stressful thing to do. It's more then a full time job commitment. If you do all that, and qualify, it's stressful working on CAMHS, and lots of pressure within NHS services with very little thanks.

But, if that doesn't put you off, then go for it. They don't discriminate against age and life experience can go in your favour

You are not unreasonable to make the change to a more fulfilling career. Even at 50 you will still have around 15 years of career left, spend it doing something that interests you! Also, very sadly, we believe that 1 in 5 of gen alpha will have experienced mental illness during their childhood, so I would imagine it will be a very needed career choice.

I say this as a psychologist: you can work in psychological fields, and as a therapist of some kind with children, without necessarily being a chartered psychologist. And it is a profession that values ‘grey hairs’ so if you start it and you’re good at it / enjoy it you could have a 30+ year career ahead of you.

Always go for it.

I read an article in the Guardian the other day about a man who trained to become a doctor and finally qualified at the age of 50. Definitely don’t be put off by all this talk about competition. If we were all put off by the odds of failing at something we would never go for anything. Fortune favours the brave!!

Nope. The educational psychologist who came to see us only started her psychology degree aged 44.

Clearly not sustainable

How This will change in 2029?

Mental health issues in kids and teens are through the roof post covid. Therapists are few and far between. Have a few friends unable to find suitable therapists for their offspring. I don’t think you’ll be short of patients if you do qualify, OP.

I retrained as a CYP psychotherapist which included an MSc in my late 30s. Zero regrets. It’s never too late OP!

How This will change in 2029?

Who knows!

A friend of mine is a child mental health practitioner (I think that’s what it’s called). She is based in schools.

The training was NHS funded and was only about a year iirc. She said once you work your way up the salary is about the same as a psychologist. Might be worth looking into.

That's interesting as the EMHP Facebook group I'm on is full of people (mostly teachers!) who have done the year training and then all leaving because there is no career progression and they are stuck on a low wage!

A friend of mine in the Netherlands did this in her mid-fifties after she was made redundant during covid.

She was fortunate that it coincided with other life events that allowed her to take a (big) financial hit. Her personal life had been a mess for many years and the learning helped untangle that as well as enable a career change.

She is a completely different person now, much happier and fulfilled.

What I mean is that the white paper is due to come into effect then ?

So ehcs with out EP input?

No one knows it seem
Very hard to know what the landscape will be like

I retrained as an HCPC registered Arts Therapist (there are different modalities) and qualified at 50, so I wouldn't rule out retraining due to age. I did a part time Masters alongside teaching. It was very gruelling emotionally and practically (juggling children, work and studying/placements), but just about doable as my family were very supportive- but it did take it's toll. Post qualification, permanent jobs are rare and there is great competition. Most of the therapists I trained with have portfolio careers made up of combined part time roles. I don't know if this is the case with Child Psychologists? There is huge demand for Arts Therapists but not lots of funding (particularly in the NHS).
I appreciate this is a different role to the one you hope for- but thought it might help give some perspective at retraining as a mature student. I wouldn't rule out applying if I were you, but get as much experience in the area you want to work in and go in with your eyes open- and always have a Plan B. Good luck!