Getting onto the doctorate without AP/RA experience

[PsychDelight]

Hi All

I hope everyone is doing well during these strange times!

I have plans to start applying for the clinical psychology doctorate this year. I have been a qualifed PWP for nearly a year and I've enjoyed the experience. I have a very supportive service which has provided me with a range of CPD events and other training support.

I am aware being a AP is not imperative for the doctorate but my issue is the fact that I have never been supervised by a clinical psychologist. I do work with a few CPs and CoPs but my main supervision is by a senior PWP.

In addition to this, my main research experience is via my undergraduate with a few audits and service evaluations done in previous roles.

I have tried applying to a few AP roles without any success, and I am apprehensive of moving from a Band 5 to a Band 4 role.

Can I ask has anyone gotten onto the doctorate with similar experiences?

[Lbee123]

Hi -Yes I have been accepted onto the doctorate this year, without ever being an AP or RA! I am also a PWP. Hope that helps

[JustWonderingAbout]

I haven't ever been an AP, RA, or PWP. I was supervised by CPs pre-training though but I know that there are at least a few ex-PWPs in my cohort though

[grizzlybear06]

I have a friend who got on from PWP training year with support work previously. No RA/AP job. Her supervisor and application reference was a senior PWP. I got on with PWP and RA work that wasn’t client-related. It’s a myth that you need RA/AP work. It helps yes but if you have a supportive IAPT service that offers development opportunities and reflective supervision this can really help. I went against my instincts to list and squeeze in 20 experiences and reflected on two experiences in depth that came up for me in clinical skills supervision and I think that helped. I think it’s reflection that is key.

[workingmama]

The relative importance/value of an AP role appears to vary by institution. Apparently some courses have around 50% intake with an AP history, others up to 80%, so it looks as if there is a different value placed on specific routes to CP by different selectors. This of course may also vary by year, and I don't know the longitudinal data for each institution in that regard (someone else might?). I know that 50% of my training cohort did not have AP or RA experience at the time of applying. Hope that helps.

[Doan]

I was accepted this year and have no AP/RA/NHS experience.

I have had varied support worker roles in LD/mental health/substance use services and am currently working in a specialised domestic abuse/mental health/crisis service where I do a lot of clinical supervision, reflective practice and multidisciplinary working but have never worked with a CP.

It's definitely possible! I think for me, it helped a lot to apply to courses which fit well to my ethos and the amount of reflection/clinical supervision I have done in this role, despite not being with a CP has been invaluable. And it's also been seven years since i graduated so I've had a fair bit of time to gain experience

[Doan]

I was accepted this year and have no AP/RA/NHS experience.

I have had varied support worker roles in LD/mental health/substance use services and am currently working in a specialised domestic abuse/mental health/crisis service where I do a lot of clinical supervision, reflective practice and multidisciplinary working but have never worked with a CP.

It's definitely possible! I think for me, it helped a lot to apply to courses which fit well to my ethos and the amount of reflection/clinical supervision I have done in this role, despite not being with a CP has been invaluable. And it's also been seven years since i graduated so I've had a fair bit of time to gain experience

I should clarify, I have never been employed by the NHS or worked in the same service as a CP. However, I have done plenty of joint working with CPs and other mental health professionals within the NHS in supporting my clients.