Becoming a psychologist with a criminal record

[Tumbletor]

Hey I'll try to keep this brief.

Has anyone encountered someone or had the experience themselves of becoming a chartered psychologist with a criminal record?

I'm 30, have a 2 yo and desperately want to make a career for myself. I've always job hopped -retail/hospitality/sales and I've always felt like there has to be more but been confused about what I'd like to do. I've considered taking a psychology degree before but not seriously because I thought my lack of education after high school would be an issue and so didn't bother looking into it all properly. Recently I've been soul searching and have decided I would really love to become a psychologist. It isn't just a while, I've always been interested and I've purchased lots of the study books to see if they put me off but if anything they have given me more drive to do it.

The issue is I have quite an extensive criminal record- 13 convictions. Some of those are for failing to comply with orders and a lot of them I was under 18 and the rest while I was 18. I also have a history of drug addiction which I went on a treatment plan for so would be on my record. My past is my biggest motivator for wanting to do this, I want to either become a forensic psychologist or a counselling psychologist (I will see which appeals to me the most while I'm training) because I desperately want to help people with similar history's or help troubled young people before it gets to that point. I truly believe my experiences would be an asset in this line of work but I am unsure if I could even get chartered graduate basis. I've tried contacting the bps but have heard nothing back and the application deadline is looming so I need to decide whether to just chance it or wait and lose another year. I have a feeling they will say its on a case by case basis so before I invest a lot of time and money I'd like to see if anyone else has experienced this?

I've been telling myself I could always get the degree and then go down a different path I don't have to be a registered psychologist to make use of the degree but that would defy the whole point of me doing it.

I have such a high level of self awareness now after all of the reflecting I have done over the past 10 years and I know exactly what triggered my actions and why I did the things I did and I'm a completely different person to the girl I was but will that make any difference?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Unfortunately the answer will be case by case and it would also depend on what the convictions are for. We’ve certainly had psychology students at my uni with criminal records go on to this career path - 2 that I know of but their convictions were theft under 18 and one was something to do with the forces so not relevant at all.

Hardly anyone who does this degree gets to be a psychologist. Training places are very limited. My friend did this degree as a mature adult and now does counselling after a MA. So there are other routes and you will need to be flexible.

Ask the professional associations about convictions. They might have a screening process but you need to ask. This might also apply if you do a year out in a hospital as part of your degree. These are better degrees for getting work afterwards. Bath haz a great one. I would urge you to be realistic though.

I would see if te hcpc could advise as they would be your regulator. I do know of healthcare professionals who have criminal records including psychologists but as previously said it’s on a case by case basis.

As others have said, in any job like this, your criminal history (unless it involves e.g. abusing vulnerable people) will be judged on a case by case basis (and likely also be judged by your employers every time you go for a job). I don't think it'll be possible to get any guarantees before you've even started an undergraduate degree.

The vast majority of people who do psychology degrees don't go on to be chartered psychologists, though, and it could open doors for you in other areas, e.g. addiction services and similar, which might appeal.

To be honest, if you want to do the degree, can afford to do so, and don't have a set career now, I'd argue you don't have much to lose by applying?

What deadline is looming?

Do you want to be a chartered psychologist, as in gaining PhD levels of qualifications?
That sometimes puts people off.

Have you thought about working for drug addiction charities?

As pp said, there are other pathways you can take too.
Btw there are very few employed forensic psychologists, and a ton of competition.

The difficulty is that psychology is such a massively competitive career. I interview for a psychology department, it you were the strongest candidate at interview I would be thrilled to have you. I've shortlisted before people with criminal records.

HOWEVER getting a qualified post won't be the battle. Getting to the point where you can get on a course will. We often get 400 applications for one assistant psychologist post and it's at the point you might find you're not shortlisted without very good previous experience. Are you sure its psychology you want to do? It's such a long career path.

Do you have capacity to volunteer? You can volunteer for the NHS and they'll take you through the DBS check so you'll have a realistic idea of what the barriers might be.