Trainees Chill & Chat | My flatmate’s doctorate journey, issues in Clin Psych, Health psychology ☕️

Meet my flatmate Saba, who’s also a first year Trainee Clinical Psychologist on the Oxford Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course 👯‍♂️ Grab a cup of tea and enjoy our Friday night chit chat - and if you manage to reach the end, we’ve included some hilarious bloopers too (yes, psychologists are humans too). Comment down below to say hi and show your support to Saba so hopefully she can come hang out in a video again!!

P.S. Sorry that my voice was croaky in the beginning we were laughing from the outtakes

☆ Q&A timestamps ☆
0:00 Introduction
0:51 Saba's clinical and academic experience
4:03 Journey to 'getting on' the clinical psychology doctorate
5:05 What made you want to do clinical psychology?
7:14 Did you always know that clinical psychology was right for you, or did you doubt it at points?
9:29 Saba's experience of dental psychology + the integration of physical & mental health services
12:42 What experience changed you the most professionally and personally?
18:01 Looking back, what would you have done differently? Advice for fresh grads
19:47 Would you recommend a career in Clinical Psychology if you have severe and enduring mental health difficulties?

☆ About Me ☆
My name's Aika, I'm 23, Hong Kong Chinese & I'm a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Oxford. I am starting my first year of the doctorate degree and hoping to document this 3 (+) year journey. I hope to de-mystify the clinical psychology route in the UK, increase the representation of diversity in the field and make Clinical Psychology and Oxbridge feel just a little bit more accessible and human if I can.

☆ Disclaimer ☆
Views and opinions are our own and do not represent the views of the University of Oxford or Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. My videos are for informational and educational purposes only.

☆ OTHER INFO ☆

Subscriber count: 3327

[lmfsmith]

I'm quite taken aback by how much many young aspiring psychologists seem self-conscious about what age you should be to apply. Whether you are 25 or 40 before getting on to the doctorate, it shouldn't matter.

I'm 35, worked in various NHS mental health services as a support worker since 2008 (the last 2.5 years as an Assistant Psychologist) and now I'm ready to apply. I don't feel too old at all and I was not ready at 25 for it. It is not a race. No doubt most of us will have to navigate many barriers along the route to becoming a CP so I suggest focussing on more important concerns such as reflecting on your experience, what its taught you, and why you want to be a CP (nonetheless, what you would do if you wasn't going to be a psychologist? And how long and far are you willing to go to get on training?). It's important to know what you're willing to compromise/sacrifice in order to pursue the doctorate AND, essentially, what you are not willing to give up.

As privileged and desirable a career as a CP is to me, I would not be willing to sacrifice my relationships to the people in my life i love, risk poverty or miss out on other important life decisions (eg. Have kids, buy a house) just for a job. A job is one aspect of a person's life and doesn't define who you are. I also believe that there are many other ways compassionate, caring and intelligent people can contribute to the world other than just as CP. Personally, I find this perspective helpful. Try not to compare yourself to others and think wisely people. Good luck.

[thismrsfisher_stitches]

I loved this video. So real and candid. Thank you. I've just started my career path to DClinPsy at Buckingham University on the undergraduate psychology programme at the age of 41... I'll be following your path

[idahuffleclaw]

It was extremly interesting to have another perspective on all of these questions. :)

[ircqbfn]

This video was such a lovely one to watch this time of year when clinical applications are a source of stress. Hearing you both reflect on your inpatient services experience really helped as i am having these thoughts myself currently. It would be great to see more videos with the two of you :)

[sooshmitafaruk]

as somone from south Asain background and changing career I was able to relate the Saba experience. thank you for this video so helpful :)

[casillas]

This was so fun and relatable!! As someone who moved here when I was 10 and is from a south Asian background (Pakistani) like Saba, I initially struggled when I decided to go down the Psychology route coz it seemed like I “failed” because I couldn’t be a ‘traditional’ doctor, lawyer or engineer. Having to overcome that was SUCH a challenge but glad I stuck through it!

Now all that’s left is to make the field more diverse, shouldn’t be too hard eh 🤣🤷🏽‍♂️

[jennae.]

I'm just so appreciative and thankful to you for providing such an amazing and helpful content. Its so refreshing to see new and diverse perspectives on the psy journey. Loved every bit of this and definitely want more!

[Flowerchile]

Wow Aika, your energy is so contagious 😅🤗 - I just found your channel and I’m addicted! Such a beautiful, eloquent and intelligent young lady! Keep it up 😉

[sadaf]

I started my BS hons in psychology i'm in my 2 semester I'm really inspired by you love your videos so much ❤💯✌🏻

[Krrle]

could you please do a video on direct vs indirect work (like does working with parents count as indirect or is it only ohter MDT staff) and how to reflect about indirect work. Thanks love your videos

[offgun]

Heeey guys ❤️ I just applied to university for my undergrad in psychology. And big thanks to you ! I took gap year because I didn’t know which way I should go and what would fulfill my life, then I stumbled upon your channel and the rest is history. I want to become clinical psychologist like you ❤️

[yogurlz]

Please continue doing more videos like this! There really helpful...especially during lockdown. Being able to hear from others working and studying in the industry. :)

[j-ak]

I was a support worker for 5 years, working a range of needs; emotional & behavioural, Neurodiversity & acute MH. I can heavily relate to the bad practice seen in MH hospitals, especially as a MSc student. I was in 1 hospital for what.. 6 months max, before I ended up walking. I now work as a well-being practitioner for a digital mental health service. I’m almost 28, & I don’t think I am ready for a doctorate. Some may say I am late to the game, but what it truly comes down to knowing when the time is right despite your age. Everybody is different. For me, I want to make sure that when.. even if a doctorate happens, that I can 100% focus & commit

[methodicallymaya]

This video was so helpful! You’ve answered so many questions I’ve had over the years. AMAZING

[amz]

loved this!!! would love another video like this!

[Laura-npur]

Absolutely loved this video!! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I have graduated from my Master's in August and after many many job applications have finally been offered a support worker role to work with individuals living with Autism, which I'm so excited about. I can't wait to get more experience and apply my theory and skills to the practical world. I look forward to more videos🥰

[itsrebeccaconte]

Thank you so much for this vdieo! you guys are so cute! I still have so much doubt about WHY I am doing Msc second time, what I will do later. And I think the age is not so important in this point. Because I am 29 and I am still figuring out many things about myself and my life. It is never "too late" for starting a new journey. When I came in UK, i was 26 and it was my first experience staying away from family and living a new country. I learned many things.. still learning. I don't know what my new step will bring but i know i am not alone, and everyone in here is not alone. ❤️😍

[marianna]

Really helpful, thank you! The only thing I would say is that people with lived experience (or any disability and/ or neurodiversity) are often UNUSUALLY tuned in to how it feels to be a client and have experience of noticing and managing how we react to things. I am terrified of showing any emotion at work in case people think I'm too ill to be there- other people can say when they are having a bad day without fearing repercussion or scrutiny. Anyone (irrespective of whether they have been unwell) is capable of the bad type of transference. I think it's really important not to convey the implicit or explicit message that those with lived experience are likely to do this more. Basically, we ALL need to take responsibility for looking after ourselves/ each other at work- PEACE!

[KM-iisc]

Loved the video thank you ! Maybe this could become a series ? X

[brioche-zn]

🥰 Finally watched this! Thank you guys I'll be excited for the next one!
Also hope you're both managing okay right now ✨