#dclinpsy

[psychologyinfo-blog]

First few weeks of training

So I enjoyed my time off (which went by far too quickly), and I've been spending the last 3 weeks or so on training. While the first day or so goes by reasonably simply (lots of "welcome and well done " etc), it quickly ramps up to make sure there's enough time for the basics before placement starts next week.

There's been a lot of role play (and watching it back!), CBT teaching, diversity teaching, disorder specific workshops and a bit of neuropsychology so far. Next week I'm going my mandatory life support and breakaway training, and then moving on to my first placement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. This is a totally new area to me, but as a result it's also very exciting. It'll be nice to be working clinically again.

[psychologyinfo-blog]

After receiving an email informing me I had a new follower (whoops), I thought I'd check in to let you know what I've been up to. And maybe I'll find the motivation to start posting again!

As some of you may remember, I was interested in clinical psychology, and had been applying to the DClinPsy. I went on to work for KCL as a researcher, then moved on to Queen Mary university and the NHS. And finally this year, I was able to secure a place on the DClinPsy, starting in just two weeks. So I've finished work for now, enjoying the time I have free before I start again. Obviously this has been somewhat restricted thanks to COVID, but I'm trying to make the best of it.

[streetlightsandleather-blog]

D.Clin.Psy vs. Ph.D. #3

Well, now I've found a three year Ph.D. program. This basically disintegrates any motivation or arguments based on the time involved. Now what to do?

[streetlightsandleather-blog]

D.Clin.Psy vs. Ph.D. #2

I did a little more looking. With the D.Clin.Psy, it may be more difficult for me to begin doing exactly as I please directly after completing my work. There may be some unforeseen hitches that will extend my time to that of Ph.D. anyway.

Not only this, but I found more then a few programs that would allow for me to receive my Ph.D. in that same three year time frame. There seems to be two pros and one overwhelming con to this aspect. As a pro, it will open up all job areas immediately, rather then putting my time into the field before being eligible. Additionally, the Ph.D. will transfer much more simply back to my country, which would not tack on those extra years of the unforeseen hitches of the DClinPsy. The major con still remains, and it is the simple fact that I don’t want to commit my time to the sort of research I am uninterested in. The point of the matter is that I have no desire, whatsoever, to do anything more then amateur research, and the PhD will force me to do the more extensively then the DClinPsy.

Either way, I get to be a Dr.

[streetlightsandleather-blog]

D.Clin.Psy vs. Ph.D.

Either way I get to be a doctor.

The former is three years shorter and slightly more limiting, the latter is three years longer and slightly more freeing.

The former is slightly easier and will allow me to live overseas for the years, the latter is slightly more involved and would likely have me stay in my current country.

Oh the questions I have now...