Careers in Psychology and Health Prof. Ray Miller Clinical and Health Psychologist

Clinical and Health Y

Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and enhance the promotion of psychological well-being. Clinical Psychologists deal with a wide range of mental and physical health problems including Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Learning Difficulties and Relationship Issues across the age range.

Clinical Psychology Most Clinical Psychologists work in the NHS (who fund the training). Settings vary from hospitals, through GP surgeries to specialist clinics and community based services. They often work as a part of a team with other health professionals such as Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, etc.

Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychologists provide psychological assessments, including psychometric tests, clinical interviews and behavioural observation. They develop ‘formulations’ to help patients understand problems and find coping solutions. They may provide therapies or other interventions to assist in bringing about change. They may work directly with patients or through advising and supporting other professionals.

Clinical Y Training Admission to training courses is very competitive. Courses are 3 year Doctorates with both University and supervised service experience components. Paid as an NHS employee. Starting salary currently £25,472. Generally necessary to have some work experience between undergraduate and postgraduate courses (1-3 years) Experience can be as an Assistant, Associate or other relevant social or health care settings. As important as what experience, is what you can show you learned from it!

What’s it like? Varied, challenging, innovative, educational, sometimes frustrating but often very satisfying. Demonstrating the added value of the psychological perspective through direct intervention or training and supporting others. Can be personally distressing at times – have your own support network – physician heal thyself. Will teach you a lot about yourself as well as others.

Health Psychology Health Psychology is primarily concerned with understanding how people learn good or bad health behaviours and cope with illness. Includes encouraging changes in attitudes and behaviours that promote good health as well as managing illness and recovery. Although this can be at individual level, much is targeted at populations, especially those identified as high risk.

Health Psychology Health Psychologists work in many settings from academic health research units, through government health policy units to health authorities and other health commissioners as well as some hospitals and clinical services. They may work with organizations in the private as well as public sectors, providing information, advice and research on health issues.

Health Psychology Health Psychology is a relatively new field and is growing and developing very rapidly. Even in the last 10 years it has begun branching in many new directions. Although initially more academically based, it now includes providing some interventions directly or indirectly.

Health Y Training Few 3 year training courses. Usual model is an MSc on an approved course (Part 1) followed by further 2 years supervised experience to reach Doctoral equivalent level (Part 2). Part 1 is undertaken at an academic institution but most Part 2 training is through the BPS ‘independent’ route. BPS qualification is recognised for registration. Not generally funded, although NHS Education Scotland (NES) funds limited Part 2 training.

What’s it like? As a fast developing field, it has a great many options for innovative development. An excellent opportunity to apply academic and research skills to real world problems of health and health care. Increasingly influential in the development and implementation of health policy. Some opportunities for satisfying ‘hands on’ work too.

Statutory Regulation Both ‘Clinical Psychologist’ and ‘Health Psychologist’ are protected titles regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Completion of an approved course of training is required for registration. Registration renewal is required every 2 years with evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) and maintenance of competence.

Further Details BPS home page: www.bps.org.uk Clinical Psychology careers page: http://www.bps.org.uk/careers-education-training/how-become-psychologist/types-psychologists/becoming-clinical-psychologis Health Psychology careers page: http://www.bps.org.uk/careers-education-training/how-become-psychologist/types-psychologists/becoming-hea lth-psychologis-0 (That’s right – no ‘t’ on ‘psychologis’ at the end of the addresses – daft!)