The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of life after qualifying as a clinical psychologist. I’m joined by trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Wellmillage, and together we discuss job uncertainty, unemployment after qualification, fixed-term contracts, stigma, and the emotional impact of moving from trainee security into an unpredictable job market. I share my own experience of signing on after qualifying, and we explore NHS versus private practice, moral injury, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to appear successful. This episode is essential listening for trainee and newly qualified clinical psychologists, and for anyone wanting an honest, compassionate insight into post-DClinPsy life.
Timestamps
00:00 – The myth that qualification guarantees a job
01:41 – The bittersweet reality of finishing training
03:18 – Being unemployed and signing on after qualifying
04:42 – Stigma, shame, and fear around not having work
05:31 – Fixed-term contracts and the shock of losing security
06:14 – Course expansion, funding, and job availability
07:23 – The false promise of the training “ladder”
08:06 – Competing roles and widening applicant pools
09:09 – Part-time posts and juggling multiple jobs
10:25 – Private practice as necessity, not choice
11:38 – Anxiety about going independent too soon
12:10 – First qualified posts and clinical responsibility
14:09 – Why support matters after qualification
21:03 – Reclaiming identity, interests, and values post-training

Links:
📲 Connect with Taniya Wellmillage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/
🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested
🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here:

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of clinical psychology training beyond getting onto the course. I’m joined by final-year trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Welmillage, and together we discuss placements, supervision, competency pressure, imposter syndrome, wellbeing, leadership, and how life continues alongside training. We explore constant moving, team cultures, long commutes, therapy for trainees, and how trainees decide what is non-negotiable for their mental health. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, and anyone wanting a realistic, compassionate insight into training.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why getting onto training isn’t the whole story
01:25 – Constant change, placements, and adjustment fatigue
03:16 – Being called “the trainee” vs being seen as a person
04:39 – Team cultures, safety, and belonging
06:14 – Buildings, resources, and how environments shape experience
08:53 – Juggling competencies, learning, and performance pressure
10:05 – Authenticity vs ticking boxes on placement
11:46 – Relocation, commuting, and the hidden toll of training
14:10 – Flexi working, boundaries, and protecting wellbeing
15:52 – The importance of trainee friendships and support
18:33 – Life milestones during training
20:51 – Reducing the “shoulds” and living your life alongside training
26:38 – Therapy for trainees: is it useful and accessible?
31:07 – Absorbing what’s useful and becoming your own psychologist

Links:
📲 Connect with Taniya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/
🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested
🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses
✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now:

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why LinkedIn matters for psychologists, even if social media feels uncomfortable or intimidating. I’m joined by Shirin Yazdian, and together we discuss visibility, authenticity, neurodiversity, advocacy, and the fear of getting things wrong online. We explore how LinkedIn can support aspiring and early-career psychologists through networking, learning, conferences, volunteering, Master’s applications, and professional development, while also addressing boundaries, professionalism, and digital footprints. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, psychology students, early-career clinicians, and anyone curious about using LinkedIn in a way that feels safe, ethical, and genuinely human.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why many psychologists avoid LinkedIn and why that might be a mistake
01:05 – Early assumptions about LinkedIn and what changed
01:42 – Humanising LinkedIn: being yourself first, professional second
03:28 – Getting past the “cringe” of first posts and fear of visibility
04:30 – Why LinkedIn can feel safer than other social platforms
05:59 – Turning online connections into real-world opportunities
08:17 – Providing value through curiosity, comments, and sharing resources
09:14 – Finding courses, talks, and opportunities via LinkedIn
11:19 – TEDx opportunities, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt
13:38 – Practical tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile
15:26 – Advocacy, values, and building a personal brand
17:14 – Neurodiversity, authenticity, and choosing aligned workplaces
21:44 – Being a person first, psychologist second
26:50 – Final reflections and encouragement to engage

Links:
📲 Connect with Shirin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirin-yazdian-neurodivergent-speaker/
🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested
🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the psychology of raising boys in today’s cultural climate. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss masculinity, misogyny, adolescence, identity, belonging, and emotional development. We explore why polarising narratives about manhood can feel so compelling, how fear and shame shape behaviour, and what parents, clinicians, and educators can do to support boys to grow into emotionally strong, compassionate men. We discuss attachment, aggression, peer influence, incel culture, parenting, sport, curiosity in therapy, and how to respond to challenging views without judgement. This episode is relevant for aspiring and qualified psychologists, parents, educators, and anyone interested in mental health, masculinity, and developmental psychology.
Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/
Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/
🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested
🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses
✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision
📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent
💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity
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In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why modern life feels so overwhelming through the lens of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss how our brains are still wired for survival in an ancient world, not the constant demands, uncertainty, and stimulation of modern society. We explore anxiety, negativity bias, rumination, avoidance, the impact of technology and news, lessons from the pandemic, parenting conversations about death, and how understanding our “ancient brain” can reduce shame and increase compassion. This episode is ideal for aspiring and qualified psychologists, therapists, and anyone interested in mental health, wellbeing, and why distress is a deeply human response rather than a personal failure.
Timestamps
00:00 – Why our brains are ancient and modern life feels so hard
01:08 – We discuss why understanding our evolutionary wiring really matters
02:10 – Ancient survival drives and why they clash with modern expectations
03:05 – Avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, and why that blocks the life we want
05:29 – Maslow, privilege, and how self-actualisation is a modern luxury
06:52 – Why our neurobiology hasn’t caught up with modern society
08:03 – Negativity bias and why our brains are wired to spot danger first
09:56 – Rumination, worry, and the exhaustion of a threat-focused mind
12:02 – Loss, mortality, and how ancient humans related differently to suffering
13:36 – News, technology, and constant activation of our threat systems
16:11 – The pandemic as a leveller between clinicians and the people we serve
19:42 – Functional contextualism and why behaviour makes sense in context
21:22 – Nature-based practice and meeting clients as humans, not hierarchies
23:18 – Legacy, meaning, parenting, and what we want to leave behind
27:03 – Shame, compassion, and understanding survival strategies in mental health
29:51 – Self-awareness, skills, and what really helps people live well

Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/
Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/
🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: