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www.ClinPsy.org.uk is a website for aspiring clinical psychologists and those with an interest in the practise of clinical psychology in the UK. It is the only website of its kind to be run by qualified Chartered Clinical Psychologists, and members of clinical training course staff, so you can be sure the information on it is reliable. It is designed to discuss and give answers to all those questions about what qualifications you need, what counts as relevant experience and what it is clinical psychologists do. It is also a place to network and discuss current issues.
The website contains:
1) a wiki (a comprehensive reference resource of useful information compiled by the members of the forum, including the answers to frequently asked questions)
2) a discussion forum (where you can ask questions, debate current issues, network with other people with similar interests, see job adverts, discuss interviews and applications, and talk about clinical issues like different models of therapy, and different mental health issues) and is gradually accumulating other useful resources and downloads.
3) a "LiveChat" area accessible only to members where we can talk to our peers in real time. Within this space we run different workshops to help people develop their skills in critiquing journal articles and responding to clinical and research vignettes, run live workshops on using different models and techniques, and have Q&A sessions with live guests. Sign in to the forum and see who is there to talk to now!
4) A bookstore full of things you might want to read, from books about therapeutic models, to autobiographies relating to mental health, to self-help materials to recommend to others.
5) We also write a newsletter called Aspire that is sent out quarterly to members of our forum, and we hope in time to disseminate this more widely to psychology degree courses and clinical doctorate courses. The first issue is was published in February 2008 and can be downloaded here. Join the forum and get issue 2 hot off the presses when it comes out.
www.ClinPsy.org.uk was set up by two qualified Clinical Psychologists (one of whom is a now a Consultant), and is run by a group of relevant and knowledgeable people that include qualified Clinical Psychologists working in different specialties and service models, Trainee Clinical Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, academics, psychology graduates and undergraduates. We also have some input from staff on clinical psychology training courses. This means that the content is well-informed and regularly updated, and the community is friendly, diverse and professional.
The forum is open to anyone with an interest in clinical psychology. Contributors include:
people thinking of doing a psychology degree, who want to know what it takes to work psychologically with people with mental health problems
undergraduates in psychology who want to find out more about the profession of clinical psychology, and what other alternatives are available
graduates looking for tips on getting competitive Assistant Psychologist or GMHW posts or other relevant experience
applicants for doctorate training courses, wanting to network with others in the same position, learn more about the profession and current issues, or share the stresses of the application process
trainee clinical psychologists developing their practice and networking with those on other courses
qualified practitioners interested in debating current issues, advertising posts or offering advice
psychologists working in research that relates to clinical issues
people in other professions considering whether they would like to change career and train in clinical psychology
Joining in is easy. You click the button at the top of any forum page to register, agree to the user agreement terms, and complete a short form. Once your registration is approved (normally within 24 hours) you can post on the forum. There you can ask questions, post job adverts (for free), recruit research participants, discuss current issues, join in debates, and be part of the ClinPsy community.
For charity: Last year we completed a Eurovision Song Contest sweepstake raising over £100 for the Samaritans. We have also run a Call My Bluff game to raise money for Whizzkidz. Later in the year we plan to run another charitable event for SANEline. Please do come and join in.
Aspire newsletter: The first issue of Aspire was published in February 2008 and was sent out to all forum members and to a large number of undergraduate psychology courses and clinical psychology doctorate courses. We are already preparing for issue 2, so why not contribute a book review, report from a conference you have attended or an article about your experience, role or views? You could also volunteer to help with promotion or distribution. It all makes good CV fodder!
Recommended reading: We are developing a book store with links to some of the core books relating to clinical psychology, psychological research and therapy. If there are any you think we should add, please let us know. We are also working on what other content we should have on the website outside the forum.
Publicity: We are keen to let more people know about www.ClinPsy.org.uk so if you like our site, please tell your friends and colleagues. You can also print out a poster to put up in your university or staff-room. Wed also like to have links to and from other relevant websites, so feel free to link to this page and to let us know if you would like a link in return :0)
Livechat: If you are willing to be a guest on the forum and answer questions for an hour at a time and date of your choosing, please let us know. Likewise, if there is someone you think would be a good guest to invite, please let us know their contact details and we will do our best to invite them!
Clubs: The ClinPsy Clubs are gaining momentum: so far we meet regularly to critique journal articles, we are setting up a research club, and have occasional other workshops. Why not join in with one or more and develop your skills?
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