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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