As a Trust, we receive a very large number of enquiries from a range of people interested in receiving information, guidance or work experience in relation to a possible or planned career in psychology, psychological therapy or counselling.

Due to the number of enquiries, we are unfortunately not able to reply to all the needs and requests fully on an individual basis. However, we like to try to be as helpful as possible, within the time and resources available to us, to people making such enquiries, particularly as they are the future workforce for serving people with mental and physical health needs and learning disabilities.

To this end, we would like to direct you to what we hope you find to be helpful information under the Useful Resources section below.

We would like to make you aware that we advertise all of our volunteer work opportunities via the NHS Jobs website.

We welcome feedback on our information and resources. Please contact Carol Holte on 01785 221427 or email carol.holte@mpft.nhs.uk.

Work Experience

The Trust offers Work Experience opportunities (up to two weeks duration) for those at school who are 15 years old. Although we are unable to offer psychology specific work experience, generic work experience within an NHS Trust is invaluable in preparation for a career in psychology. For more information, please visit the Work Experience pages.

Volunteering

Likewise the Trust offers volunteering opportunities.  Again we are unable to offer psychology specific volunteering, but the Volunteer team will try to accommodate your interests where possible.  For more information, please visit the Volunteering pages.

As psychology under-graduate and post-graduate work experiences are rarely possible, we encourage you to consider employment within Health Care Assistant and Support Worker roles as well as Assistant Psychology posts. A broad understanding of Health Services and NHS working is beneficial in broadening your CV as part of preparation for a career in psychology and preparing for Applied Psychology courses. Posts are advertised on the NHS Jobs website.

Useful Resources

Useful resources for people wanting to become a clinical psychologist

  • Beinart, H., Kennedy, P. and Llewelyn, S. (2009) Clinical Psychology in Practice. Wiley-Blackwell
  • Cheshire, K. and Pilgrim, D. (2004) A Short Introduction to Clinical Psychology. London: Sage
  • Davey, G., (2008) Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Francis, R.D. (2004) Becoming a Psychologist. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Hall, J. and Llewelyn, S. (2006) What is Clinical Psychology? Oxford: OUP.
  • Knight, A., (2002) How to Become a Clinical Psychologist: Getting a Foot in the Door. Routledge
  • Page, A.C. and Stritzke W.G. K., (2006) Clinical Psychology for Trainees: Foundations of Science-Informed Practice. Cambridge University Press

  • British Journal of Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology Forum
  • Health Service Journal
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Psychological Services Contact Details

Dr Rachel Lucas, Director of Psychological Services