Clinical psychology training, is it worth it?

[HME2025]

Hello,

Looking for advice. I currently work as a psychotherapist in the NHS and prior to this have worked in the mental health services in the NHS in different clinical capacities for 15 years. I have always wanted to become a Clinical Psychologist and feel that I need to move forward with this or let this go, I am 38 so aware the clock is ticking. I have a number if anxieties about moving forward. First of all, I received a 2.2 at undergrad (young and disinterested) but returned to study when older and have a 2.1 at postgraduate diploma level.I am confident that I would achieve the academic requirements during for the MSc conversion but worried my undergraduate degree may look unfavorable on an application. Secondly I need to complete a BPS accredited course, Open University meets my currents needs best but I am concerned that OU is seen as less desirable and would look unfavourable on my application in comparison to other universities.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated

Clinical Psychologist here. It makes absolutely no difference where you do your undergrad (or Masters), the OU is fine, the grade is what matters and that the course is BPS accredited. Having a 2.2 at undergrad would mean that many courses wouldn’t consider you, so you’d need to choose your courses carefully at application stage. Achieving a good mark in Masters would help a lot though.

Obviously the DClinPsy is very competitive and there is no guarantee of getting a place, many people apply several times. What is it about clinical psychology that appeals to you?

@Plastictreees Thank you for your reply, that's extremely helpful. Yes, the 2.2 has limited my options. I am quietly confident that I can achieve a good masters mark, I am much more focused than I was.

The competition and uncertainty about getting a place is off putting, and I think the main factor in my indecision, do all this extra work or focus on further training within my current role? I am drawn to clinical psychology due to mixed modality working, getting neuro experience and the autonomy which comes with being a clinical psychologist. I feel a bit capped in my current post, and wonder if in the future I may want more than what a psychological therapies role can offer

Personally I don’t see the 2.2 is an issue, but because it’s so competitive there has to be a line drawn somewhere - lots of courses are now specifying a ‘high’ 2.1. If you do want to get on the DClinPsy, getting the best possible grade in the conversion would be very important. The OU is great, no issues there.

A big part of being a clinical psychologist is leadership, consultancy and research which DClinPsy’s focus a lot on too. If you are just interested in the clinical aspect, then it could be better to look at training opportunities in your current role. Clinical psychologists aren’t therapists first and foremost, a lot of time is spent problem solving service delivery models and design, line managing, teaching and consultancy. Direct clinical work is a small part of my job. I’m not sure how being a clinical psychologist would give you more autonomy? Presumably you’d still be working in the NHS with the same bureaucracy and service pressures.

The courses vary so much in terms of underpinning theoretical orientation, some are more socially constructionist focused while others are more CBT/‘evidence based’. It’s worth looking into the courses and seeing which appeal to you. Importantly I would try to get a real understanding of what the day to day work of a clinical psychologist is actually like so that you can make an informed decision. The role of clinical psychology has changed so much even in just the past 10 years.

Have u looked at the clinical associate psychologist role ?
it may be more accessible than highly competitive clinical psychologist training at doctorate level ??
what is stopping you develop further in your role as psychotherapist in NHS ??

what band are u currently ??
often psychotherapists in the specialised services can have banding and job descriptions very similar to clinical psych???