Psychology, Actually

Is it too late to become a clinical psychologist?In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I’m joined by trainee clinical psychologist Claire Dunn, who started her journey at 40 and secured a place on the doctorate at 47.Together, we break down what retraining in psychology actually looks like practically, emotionally, and strategically.
Using real-life style examples of older applicants navigating career change, family life, and self-doubt.We explore pathways into clinical psychology, including conversion courses, assistant psychologist roles, NHS experience, and how to stay competitive when you feel “behind”.If you’re an aspiring psychologist wondering whether you’ve left it too late - this episode offers a grounded, honest roadmap.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Is it too late to retrain in psychology?
01:13 Claire’s journey to training at 47
02:23 Case study: Sarah (career change from teaching)
04:30 Transferable skills and real-world experience
05:41 How much do you need to want this?
06:39 Studying later in life (Open University + flexibility)
08:56 Balancing study, work and parenting
10:35 When is the “right” time to retrain?
12:20 Should you focus on study or experience first?
14:32 Testing whether psychology is right for you
15:25 Making the most of academic support
16:19 Case study: Mark (NHS admin to psychology)
18:10 Feeling “behind” and imposter syndrome
19:05 Does a 2:2 limit your chances?
20:31 Strengthening applications with a master’s
21:51 Assistant psychologist vs further study
23:02 Why academic references matter
24:06 Staying connected with referees
25:27 Avoiding generic references
26:35 Gaining relevant clinical experience
28:21 Alternative pathways (CAP / PWP roles)
30:18 Is it really too late? Final thoughts

Links:
📲 Connect with Claire Dunn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-dunn-037480244/
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 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.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱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
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing

Most people think liver disease is only caused by alcohol. It isn’t. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore fatty liver disease (now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), a common but often silent condition affecting 1 in 5 people in the UK.
I’m joined by NHS health coach Sharan Verma, who shares both professional insight and her personal experience of losing her father to the disease. We discuss symptoms, diagnosis, reversibility, and why so many people are unaware they have it until it’s progressed.This episode also explores the psychological impact of illness, caregiving, and grief including how difficult it can be to witness physical decline in someone you love.If you’re interested in health psychology, prevention, or understanding how physical and emotional wellbeing connect, this episode offers an important and eye-opening perspective.
Highlights
00:00 Why liver disease isn’t just about alcohol
01:22 What fatty liver disease actually is
02:15 Early symptoms and why it’s often missed
03:04 Stages of liver disease and reversibility
04:47 Why awareness needs to change
06:48 Sharan’s father’s diagnosis and missed opportunities
08:59 Rapid deterioration and hospitalisation
09:49 Losing a parent to liver disease
10:30 Guilt, hindsight and what we didn’t know
11:29 Stigma and misunderstanding around liver disease
12:44 Genetics and family patterns
14:01 Living with increased health risk
15:12 The emotional impact of watching someone decline
15:39 Physical changes at end of life
16:18 Trauma, memory and grief
17:36 Where the liver is and what it does
18:46 Diet, lifestyle and prevention
21:47 Barriers to healthy eating
22:03 Risk factors and population differences
22:42 Where to learn more

Links:
📲 Connect with Sharan: https://www.instagram.com/renourishwithsharan/ https://sharanverma.com
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 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.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱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
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#fattyliver #fattyliverdisease #liverdisease

Becoming an Assistant Psychologist in the UK can feel frustrating, competitive, and at times deeply personal – especially when applications don’t lead to interviews or offers. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why Assistant Psychologist roles are so difficult to secure, what experience is actually needed before applying, and how to navigate rejection without burning out or losing confidence.
We discuss the reality of psychology career pathways in the UK, including why many successful applicants have prior relevant roles, how to build experience strategically, and how to approach interviews as a two-way process – including checking whether a role truly fits you and whether employers can support reasonable adjustments.
If you’re an aspiring psychologist feeling stuck, overlooked, or questioning your path, this episode will help you reframe your journey and take your next steps with clarity and compassion.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why psychology graduates feel “behind” after uni
01:02 What university careers services actually do
02:13 Support available after graduation (and why it matters)
03:06 Why psychology careers feel confusing compared to others
04:26 Different mental health career pathways explained
05:40 Low pay early on and managing expectations
06:06 Understanding your career values
07:18 Why experience matters more than income early on
08:20 Building experience during university
09:18 Real example of paid student support work
10:35 Why your effort might go unnoticed (but still matters)
11:25 Creative ways to gain relevant experience
12:05 Mental health roles within universities
13:11 Building relationships for references
14:14 Why tutors need to actually know you
15:11 The long-term impact of mentors and lecturers
16:06 Mock interviews and building confidence
\16:52 Practising interviews and finding your voice
17:52 Interviews are human – not designed to catch you out
18:59 Interviews are a two-way process
20:02 Checking job fit and reasonable adjustments
21:17 Diversity and inclusion in psychology pathways
22:17 Internship opportunities and widening access
22:57 Celebrating first Assistant Psychologist roles
23:55 Why AP roles aren’t entry-level
24:37 Managing expectations around experience
25:59 Discouragement and proving people wrong
26:40 Choosing your own career path (not others’)
27:49 Backup plans and flexibility in goals
28:30 Burnout, pacing yourself and taking breaks
29:25 Noticing when you’re ready for the next step
30:19 Following your natural interests and curiosity

Links:
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 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.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱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
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing

What if one of the most powerful tools for girls’ confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing was already on the school timetable?
In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why girls in sport is about so much more than physical fitness.
Joined by educational psychologist Dr Mel Morrison (The Sporty Ed Psych), we discuss how sport supports emotional regulation, identity development, belonging, and confidence in girls and young women.We also unpack the barriers that still exist – including gender stereotypes, access, cost, and school culture – and how we can create more inclusive opportunities so all girls can thrive, both in education and beyond.
If you’re a parent, educator, or aspiring psychologist, this episode offers a powerful, systemic perspective on how sport can transform not just physical health, but psychological wellbeing and engagement in learning.
Highlights
00:00 Why girls’ confidence might be hiding in sport
01:13 Emotional regulation through sport
02:21 Belonging, connection and social development
03:25 Identity, body image and confidence in adolescence
04:39 Resilience, discomfort and mental strength
05:01 Missed opportunities and changing narratives
06:29 Why sport isn’t just for the “naturally sporty”
07:24 Adult rediscovery of sport and identity
08:43 From punishment to joy – changing your relationship with movement
10:30 Sport as emotional regulation for psychologists
11:34 Strength training, femininity and breaking stereotypes
12:57 “Sporty Spice was right” – cultural shifts in women’s sport
13:38 Strong is sexy – reframing strength and identity
14:15 Denise Lewis and the power of role models
15:20 Barriers for girls – body image, visibility and fear
16:33 Using sport to support education and engagement
18:01 Sport as intervention for disengaged pupils
19:02 Motivation, behaviour and classroom impact
20:14 Making PE inclusive and meaningful
21:31 Supporting neurodiverse young people through sport
22:53 Sensory needs, structure and safe environments
24:37 Cost, access and inequality in sport
26:10 Dr Mel Morrison’s work and The Sporty Ed Psych
28:59 Applying sports psychology to education

Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Mel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-mel-morrison-6a330691/
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 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.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱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
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing

We train psychologists to think brilliantly… but no one really teaches us how to feel. In this episode we explore embodied practice in psychology, including how to manage stress, anger, burnout, trauma, and emotional overwhelm through the body rather than just the mind.I’m joined again by Dr Sunil Lad, Consultant Counselling Psychologist and NHS Clinical Director, and we discuss why many clinicians feel disconnected from their bodies and what changes when we begin to work bottom-up instead of top-down.This episode is essential for psychologists, therapists, and anyone who feels stuck in their head, overwhelmed, or unable to switch off.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Why psychologists aren’t taught to feel
01:12 What is embodied practice in psychology?
02:18 Thinking vs feeling – getting out of your head
02:43 Transference, countertransference and body awareness
03:33 Anger, expression and safe emotional release
04:35 Anger vs violence – why they’re not the same
05:46 Compassion-focused therapy and emotional triggers
06:35 Checking in with your body in daily life
07:40 Social media, stress and nervous system activation
09:30 Building body awareness through movement and curiosity
11:54 Discomfort vs pain – learning your body’s signals
13:25 Why growth takes time (no quick fixes)
14:45 Embodiment as stress buffering for psychologists
15:45 Coping vs nourishing – how we regulate after hard days
17:11 “The body keeps the score” in clinical work
19:30 Bringing embodiment into supervision
21:00 Starting small – where to begin with embodied practice
22:58 Playfulness, movement and reconnecting with the body
24:04 Slowing down in a fast-paced world
25:13 Trying new experiences and building neural pathways
26:10 Where to find Dr Sunil Lad + his work
26:50 Final reflections – what stayed with me

Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Sunil Lad here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sunil-lad-89597446/
📚 Iconic Book: The Body Keeps the Score Book: https://amzn.to/3NJoY8F
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 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.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱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
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing