Prospects in applying to DClinPsy with 2:2 undergrad & PhD?
Hello Folks! I could really do with some advice/perspectives from more experienced folks. Im currently doing a Psychology conversion course part time and im in my first year, so finish next year. I want to start applying for the training program as soon as I finish this program. Im 42 now.
In terms of background, my prior experience is:
I have a PhD in a social sciences field. My research looked at how women's employment can bring about their empowerment, and used the case study of Kenyan agriculture. It was a grounded piece of action research and began with exploring what empowerment actually meant to my case study population, then used that contextually-defined frame to analyse their experiences of work. I did 14 focus groups and a ton of 1-on-1 interviews and between my pilot visit and subsequent fieldwork, I interviewed over 1000 people. It was a mixed methods study and I did it all solo and not as part of a research team. While it wasnt Psychology based, it was a very psychologically rooted study in terms of how I looked at things. At the end of it, I designed interventions based on my findings for the companies whose farms I did my fieldwork on, as well as my thesis
Published 2 journal papers and 3 conference papers
Worked as a postdoctoral researcher for 1 year where I taught, designed surveys, did a systematic literature review
Worked as an independent consultant to do a Gender policy for a company that I worked with during my PhD. I explored gendered attitudes towards work and roles, then developed a targeted intervention plan for them to address the gender imbalances within their workforce. Mixed methods research and included statistical analysis of payroll records for 15,000 people, as well as interviews with around 250 people. I was a solo researcher again.
Set up my own business and did that for 10 years. My team was all neurodivergent (im AuDHD), and I worked hard to build up my knowledge and understanding in order to create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirmative workplace. I employed 25 people across 2 sites at its peak, before I hit burnout.
Working part time as a SEND teaching assistant in schools on a supply basis.
By way of personal history, 3 years ago I realised that in addition to being AuDHD (first diagnosis was for ADHD in 2020), I also met the diagnostic criteria for a Dissociative disorder. Difficulties accessing psychological support led me to go into a deep dive into trauma treatment protocols so I could heal. I did as many trainings as i could access, read countless books, and am now comfortable doing deep Parts work, IFS, Somatic therapy, DBT, structural dissociation theory, and psychodynamic therapy. As is the way with these things, when I realised who I was, I also realised how badly I had messed up my kids and how dysfunctional my marriage and home life were. So as I was working on integration for myself, I was also learning how to help my family heal and grow.
Now, I no longer meet the criteria for any dissociative disorders and have earned secure attachment. I am fully integrated, possessed of a fully formed identity for the first time in my life, know how to communicate, find stillness, reflect, and fully regulate my own nervous system as well as co-regulate with others. My family is also flourishing and my kids are securely attached badasses! 💃
My experiences have increasingly led me to the knowledge that I want to be a psychologist. I think human beings are absolutely fascinating, and I am really good with helping people find clarity when they are in distress, not by trying to "fix" anything, but through kind and compassionate mirroring, acceptance and curiosity. I know I would make a really good psychologist.
My question is what can I do in the 18 months i have left before I finish this degree and can apply for the training program to increase my chances of succes? And do you think its realistic for me to think i could get a training place even though I havent done the usual path of AP/PWP etc? I also have a 2:2 for my undergraduate degree. Is that going to be held against me during the screening process?
Thank you!