And I for one hope you will be coaxed back down to Kent sometime David.
I think your point about finding " way for you to sort out doctoral
training courses worth going to from those which are not" is hugely
important. The pressure around getting into clinical psychology courses
often seems to me to obscure consideration of the values and direction
of the particular course and if it actually feels appropriate for
particular applicants. To be honest sometimes it seems to obscure the
issue of whether this sort of training is appropriate at all seems to
get lost too.
Dr John McGowan
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Fryer
Sent: 09 October 2008 13:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] advice
Dear Vicky,
You mention volunteering in relation to self harm but it might be worth
remembering that there are many non-statutory i.e. voluntary sector
organisations which provide paid jobs which allow one to try to make a
difference in relation to psy-complex related misery and injustice.
These often offer more scope for engaging in 'community psychology' than
clinical assistantships. Of course much, I would say most, good work is
done by people without 'community' or 'psychologist' in their job title.
In Scotland, the Big Issue in Scotland is a good source of such job
adverts.
Different clinical doctorate selectors for different courses will
presumably have different views as to whether spending time working in a
family violence or anti-racist project etc. is as valuable experience
for would-be clinical trainees as being a psychology assistant but that
could be a good way for you to sort out doctoral training courses worth
going to from those which are not?
However for someone with community and critical interests, the voluntary
sector may be worth considering as an alternative to clinical psychology
regarding longer term paid employment? There are many responsible,
secure, well-paid jobs in the voluntary sector as well as many temporary
insecure poorly paid ones. Not all voluntary sector jobs are, of course,
unproblematic from a critical or community psychology standpoint but in
my view many are less problematic than much clinical psychology work.
As far as clinical psychology doctoral training courses are concerned,
others in this list know more than I do about nuances of difference
between such courses but I would just say that I know personally the
Lancaster training course has a commitment to including community and
critical psychology amongst the issues with which trainees are
encouraged to grapple. For several years now, colleagues on the
Lancaster course have welcomed me, my colleague Adele Laing and activist
allies in running whole day workshops promoting critical thinking about
community and clinical ways of working. Salomons (Kent) too have
welcomed us previously and I know that Craig Newnes and Dave Harper also
contribute to that course.
Good luck
David
-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vicky Honeyman
Sent: 07 October 2008 20:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] advice
Hi everyone,
My name is Vicky and I'm currently finishing an MSc in Community
Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. I've got an
undergraduate psychology degree and have volunteered with Penumbra's
Edinburgh Self Harm Project for two summers and with a small
organisation called VentureArts for people with learning difficulties
for the past year. I'm currently working as a support worker with people
with mental health issues, learning difficulties and dual diagnosis. My
research interests have been within qualitative research and I have an
interest in critical psychology. I've been applying for assistant
psychologist jobs for the past few months and have had a few interviews
but haven't yet been successful in obtaining a post. I'm interested in
pursuing a career in clinical psychology and was wondering if anyone
could give me some advice about either assistant posts and what is
expected within the interviews, what further experience would be
beneficial for me to aim for and whether it is worthwhile apply for the
clinical psychology doctorates even although I've not worked as an
assistant psychologist yet. I know that the criteria for the doctorates
usually says they will consider applicants without having been an
assistant but I was really wondering given the competition for these
posts and courses is this realistic? Thanks in advance for anyone who
replies.
Kind regards,
Vicky
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___________________________________
COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK
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