In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of life after qualifying as a clinical psychologist. I’m joined by trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Wellmillage, and together we discuss job uncertainty, unemployment after qualification, fixed-term contracts, stigma, and the emotional impact of moving from trainee security into an unpredictable job market. I share my own experience of signing on after qualifying, and we explore NHS versus private practice, moral injury, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to appear successful. This episode is essential listening for trainee and newly qualified clinical psychologists, and for anyone wanting an honest, compassionate insight into post-DClinPsy life.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 – The myth that qualification guarantees a job
2. 01:41 – The bittersweet reality of finishing training
3. 03:18 – Being unemployed and signing on after qualifying
4. 04:42 – Stigma, shame, and fear around not having work
5. 05:31 – Fixed-term contracts and the shock of losing security
6. 06:14 – Course expansion, funding, and job availability
7. 07:23 – The false promise of the training “ladder”
8. 08:06 – Competing roles and widening applicant pools
9. 09:09 – Part-time posts and juggling multiple jobs
10. 10:25 – Private practice as necessity, not choice
11. 11:38 – Anxiety about going independent too soon
12. 12:10 – First qualified posts and clinical responsibility
13. 14:09 – Why support matters after qualification
14. 21:03 – Reclaiming identity, interests, and values post-training

Links:

📲 Connect with Taniya Wellmillage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here:

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of clinical psychology training beyond getting onto the course. I’m joined by final-year trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Welmillage, and together we discuss placements, supervision, competency pressure, imposter syndrome, wellbeing, leadership, and how life continues alongside training. We explore constant moving, team cultures, long commutes, therapy for trainees, and how trainees decide what is non-negotiable for their mental health. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, and anyone wanting a realistic, compassionate insight into training.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 – Why getting onto training isn’t the whole story
2. 01:25 – Constant change, placements, and adjustment fatigue
3. 03:16 – Being called “the trainee” vs being seen as a person
4. 04:39 – Team cultures, safety, and belonging
5. 06:14 – Buildings, resources, and how environments shape experience
6. 08:53 – Juggling competencies, learning, and performance pressure
7. 10:05 – Authenticity vs ticking boxes on placement
8. 11:46 – Relocation, commuting, and the hidden toll of training
9. 14:10 – Flexi working, boundaries, and protecting wellbeing
10. 15:52 – The importance of trainee friendships and support
11. 18:33 – Life milestones during training
12. 20:51 – Reducing the “shoulds” and living your life alongside training
13. 26:38 – Therapy for trainees: is it useful and accessible?
14. 31:07 – Absorbing what’s useful and becoming your own psychologist

Links:

📲 Connect with Taniya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now:

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why LinkedIn matters for psychologists, even if social media feels uncomfortable or intimidating. I’m joined by Shirin Yazdian, and together we discuss visibility, authenticity, neurodiversity, advocacy, and the fear of getting things wrong online. We explore how LinkedIn can support aspiring and early-career psychologists through networking, learning, conferences, volunteering, Master’s applications, and professional development, while also addressing boundaries, professionalism, and digital footprints. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, psychology students, early-career clinicians, and anyone curious about using LinkedIn in a way that feels safe, ethical, and genuinely human.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 – Why many psychologists avoid LinkedIn and why that might be a mistake
2. 01:05 – Early assumptions about LinkedIn and what changed
3. 01:42 – Humanising LinkedIn: being yourself first, professional second
4. 03:28 – Getting past the “cringe” of first posts and fear of visibility
5. 04:30 – Why LinkedIn can feel safer than other social platforms
6. 05:59 – Turning online connections into real-world opportunities
7. 08:17 – Providing value through curiosity, comments, and sharing resources
8. 09:14 – Finding courses, talks, and opportunities via LinkedIn
9. 11:19 – TEDx opportunities, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt
10. 13:38 – Practical tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile
11. 15:26 – Advocacy, values, and building a personal brand
12. 17:14 – Neurodiversity, authenticity, and choosing aligned workplaces
13. 21:44 – Being a person first, psychologist second
14. 26:50 – Final reflections and encouragement to engage

Links:

📲 Connect with Shirin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirin-yazdian-neurodivergent-speaker/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the psychology of raising boys in today’s cultural climate. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss masculinity, misogyny, adolescence, identity, belonging, and emotional development. We explore why polarising narratives about manhood can feel so compelling, how fear and shame shape behaviour, and what parents, clinicians, and educators can do to support boys to grow into emotionally strong, compassionate men. We discuss attachment, aggression, peer influence, incel culture, parenting, sport, curiosity in therapy, and how to respond to challenging views without judgement. This episode is relevant for aspiring and qualified psychologists, parents, educators, and anyone interested in mental health, masculinity, and developmental psychology.

Links:

📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/

Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:

If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/podcast and click the blue request info button at the top of the page.

Hashtags:

#raisingboys #masculinityandmentalhealth #aspiringpsychologist

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why modern life feels so overwhelming through the lens of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss how our brains are still wired for survival in an ancient world, not the constant demands, uncertainty, and stimulation of modern society. We explore anxiety, negativity bias, rumination, avoidance, the impact of technology and news, lessons from the pandemic, parenting conversations about death, and how understanding our “ancient brain” can reduce shame and increase compassion. This episode is ideal for aspiring and qualified psychologists, therapists, and anyone interested in mental health, wellbeing, and why distress is a deeply human response rather than a personal failure.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 – Why our brains are ancient and modern life feels so hard
2. 01:08 – We discuss why understanding our evolutionary wiring really matters
3. 02:10 – Ancient survival drives and why they clash with modern expectations
4. 03:05 – Avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, and why that blocks the life we want
5. 05:29 – Maslow, privilege, and how self-actualisation is a modern luxury
6. 06:52 – Why our neurobiology hasn’t caught up with modern society
7. 08:03 – Negativity bias and why our brains are wired to spot danger first
8. 09:56 – Rumination, worry, and the exhaustion of a threat-focused mind
9. 12:02 – Loss, mortality, and how ancient humans related differently to suffering
10. 13:36 – News, technology, and constant activation of our threat systems
11. 16:11 – The pandemic as a leveller between clinicians and the people we serve
12. 19:42 – Functional contextualism and why behaviour makes sense in context
13. 21:22 – Nature-based practice and meeting clients as humans, not hierarchies
14. 23:18 – Legacy, meaning, parenting, and what we want to leave behind
15. 27:03 – Shame, compassion, and understanding survival strategies in mental health
16. 29:51 – Self-awareness, skills, and what really helps people live well

Links:

📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/

Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here:

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore how travelling can genuinely make you a better psychologist by building empathy, perspective, flexibility and emotional intelligence in ways that classrooms cannot. I speak with Ben, an aspiring psychologist currently travelling in Chile, about backpacking across Canada and South America, using Workaway to combine voluntary work with travel, and taking on a remote research role while on the road. We discuss letting go of rigid timelines to qualification, managing internal pressure, funding trips on a shoestring, the role of privilege and safety nets, and how uncomfortable journeys can become powerful stories and sources of resilience. I also share my own experiences of extended travel after my undergraduate degree, shorter UK breaks during clinical training, and how nature, awe and time away from traditional routes can support aspiring and qualified psychologists to live in line with their values and return to their careers more grounded and reflective.

Highlights

• 00:00 – Why travelling can shape you as a psychologist as much as formal training
• 00:51 – I introduce Ben, an aspiring psychologist currently travelling in Chile
• 01:34 – We discuss releasing the pressure to qualify quickly and follow rigid timelines
• 02:31 – Ben on career expectations, presence and learning to slow down
• 05:27 – Finding relevant psychology experience while travelling, including Workaway
• 08:02 – My own six-month trip around the world and how I funded it
• 10:35 – Coming home with £20 and jumping straight into work and training
• 13:02 – Standout travel memories and how uncomfortable journeys build resilience
• 17:19 – Sleeper trains, ferries and why challenging travel experiences matter
• 18:13 – Travel doesn’t need to be expensive or international to be meaningful
• 22:00 – We reflect on privilege, safety nets and the ability to take time out
• 24:18 – How family support, grief and life experiences shape perspective
• 26:01 – Travel as exposure therapy and confidence building
• 29:20 – Nature, awe and using time away to support mental health
• 33:22 – Leaving space for uncertainty and choosing your own career timeline

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree:

In this episode, I speak with trainee clinical psychologist Skie Hewitt about the reality of training and working in psychology while registered blind. We discuss stigma at interview, navigating inaccessible systems, working with a guide dog, using technology to adapt practice, identity-first language, the emotional labour of disability, and what supervisors and services need to know to genuinely support visually impaired trainees. Skie shares practical strategies, personal reflections and hopeful encouragement for disabled aspiring psychologists, alongside essential insights for anyone committed to building an inclusive profession. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, educators, supervisors and anyone interested in accessibility, disability and clinical training.

Highlights

1. 00:00 – Opening reflections on inclusion and the reality of inaccessible systems
2. 01:20 – Introducing Skie: her route from A Levels to two master’s degrees and AP roles
3. 02:34 – Discovering the Snowden Trust and how their scholarship opened doors
4. 03:20 – Talking impostor syndrome, resilience and the impact of adversity
5. 04:26 – Understanding Skie’s visual impairment and what “registered blind” actually means
6. 05:58 – Why this episode aims to empower both disabled and non-disabled listeners
7. 06:35 – The stigma Skie faced at interview and why it was illegal
8. 08:54 – Choosing a workplace based on how people made her feel, not just the offer
9. 09:36 – Where guide dogs can and cannot go and why misconceptions persist
10. 10:48 – Access refusals in taxis, Airbnbs and public spaces, and the emotional toll
11. 11:53 – How Derek, Skie’s guide dog, can be an asset and an icebreaker in therapy
12. 12:33 – How Skie discusses her dog and visual impairment with clients
13. 14:44 – Identity-first vs person-first language and why it varies
14. 15:44 – The social model of disability and why systems are often the barrier
15. 17:22 – The practical tools that support Skie at work: magnification, voiceover, contrast
16. 18:40 – The constant problem-solving required just to get through a day
17. 19:06 – How supervision and open communication create real accessibility
18. 20:25 – How Skie takes notes in assessment sessions and adapts traditional processes
19. 21:37 – Recording sessions as a tool for accessibility and learning
20. 22:32 – Braille, literacy and why many visually impaired people don’t rely on it
21. 24:00 – Technology that transforms independence, including Meta AI glasses
22. 25:00 – The braille smartwatch and why subtle timekeeping matters in therapy
23. 26:44 – Universal design vs specialist devices
24. 28:17 – Audible, audiobooks and the power of accessible learning
25. 29:14 – Managing eye health, hospital appointments and disability-related leave
26. 31:19 – Caring for Derek on placement and setting him up with his own workspace
27. 31:42 – What glaucoma is and how it affects vision
28. 32:35 – The challenges Skie’s mum faced raising a blind baby
29. 33:14 – Childhood independence, confidence and proving professionals wrong
30. 34:46 – Hobbies, travel and aerial fitness as a potential new adventure
31. 35:36 – Why disabled voices strengthen the profession — and why the work is still hard
32. 36:59 – Final reflections on making psychology inclusive and empowering future trainees
33. 38:25 – Your post-session reflection about accidentally saying “lovely to see you”
34. 39:31 – Subscriber-only content and how listeners can support the podcast
35. 40:40 – Information about the Snowden Trust for disabled students

Links:

The Snowdon Trust - investing in disabled students:

In this episode, I speak with first year trainee clinical psychologist Jack Griffiths about his unconventional journey from football coaching in Wales to securing a training place after six DClinPsy application cycles. We discuss how he used non traditional experience to build his psychology identity, the challenges of being a male applicant in a female dominated profession, the pressure to demonstrate vulnerability in interviews, and what helped him stay grounded through years of uncertainty. Jack reflects on assistant psychologist roles, rejection, resilience, supervision, and the value of authenticity in developing as a clinician. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists preparing applications, strengthening reflection skills and carving out their own unique path into the profession.

Highlights

• 00:00 – Introducing Jack’s journey and years of persistence on the path to training
• 01:20 – Meeting Jack and how his football coaching background first caught my attention
• 01:54 – Jack’s route into psychology after repeated ACL injuries led him into coaching
• 02:49 – Working with teenage academy players and using psychology to build culture, leadership and communication
• 03:31 – How a love of psychology began early, and why Jack followed curiosity rather than a fixed plan
• 05:28 – Staying grounded and authentic while entering a new profession
• 06:11 – Using experiences from football and lifeguarding to strengthen reflections and clinical applications
• 07:37 – Applying motivational interviewing and coaching models on the pitch, including autonomy and self leadership
• 09:14 – Bringing personal style to coaching and rejecting outdated coaching stereotypes
• 09:59 – We discuss being male in a female dominated psychology profession and how this shapes vulnerability and growth
• 11:51 – How gender dynamics shape reflection and openness in interviews and supervision
• 14:19 – Applying six times to training, losing confidence and feeling stuck as an assistant psychologist
• 16:23 – Why assistant roles vary, and the emotional toll of years of striving for a single outcome
• 18:25 – Interview challenges: authenticity vs playing “the reflection game” in high pressure situations
• 20:32 – How men in psychology often start at a disadvantage around vulnerability expectations
• 22:47 – Thoughts on equality, diversity and inclusion, and how men sometimes fall outside the conversation
• 24:13 – Navigating assessment during training and handling power dynamics in supervision
• 26:23 – How allowing yourself to start from zero on placement can lead to the biggest growth
• 29:31 – The emotional impact of not being “chosen” for a placement and managing ego and comparison
• 32:17 – Early anxieties about meeting supervisors and fitting into new teams
• 33:42 – Final reflections and encouragement for aspiring psychologists on their own unconventional paths

Links:

📚 📲

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: