The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast

In this episode, I speak with trainee clinical psychologist Skie Hewitt about the reality of training and working in psychology while registered blind. We discuss stigma at interview, navigating inaccessible systems, working with a guide dog, using technology to adapt practice, identity-first language, the emotional labour of disability, and what supervisors and services need to know to genuinely support visually impaired trainees. Skie shares practical strategies, personal reflections and hopeful encouragement for disabled aspiring psychologists, alongside essential insights for anyone committed to building an inclusive profession. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, educators, supervisors and anyone interested in accessibility, disability and clinical training.Highlights00:00 – Opening reflections on inclusion and the reality of inaccessible systems01:20 – Introducing Skie: her route from A Levels to two master’s degrees and AP roles02:34 – Discovering the Snowden Trust and how their scholarship opened doors03:20 – Talking impostor syndrome, resilience and the impact of adversity04:26 – Understanding Skie’s visual impairment and what “registered blind” actually means05:58 – Why this episode aims to empower both disabled and non-disabled listeners06:35 – The stigma Skie faced at interview and why it was illegal08:54 – Choosing a workplace based on how people made her feel, not just the offer09:36 – Where guide dogs can and cannot go and why misconceptions persist10:48 – Access refusals in taxis, Airbnbs and public spaces, and the emotional toll11:53 – How Derek, Skie’s guide dog, can be an asset and an icebreaker in therapy12:33 – How Skie discusses her dog and visual impairment with clients14:44 – Identity-first vs person-first language and why it varies15:44 – The social model of disability and why systems are often the barrier17:22 – The practical tools that support Skie at work: magnification, voiceover, contrast18:40 – The constant problem-solving required just to get through a day19:06 – How supervision and open communication create real accessibility20:25 – How Skie takes notes in assessment sessions and adapts traditional processes21:37 – Recording sessions as a tool for accessibility and learning22:32 – Braille, literacy and why many visually impaired people don’t rely on it24:00 – Technology that transforms independence, including Meta AI glasses25:00 – The braille smartwatch and why subtle timekeeping matters in therapy26:44 – Universal design vs specialist devices28:17 – Audible, audiobooks and the power of accessible learning29:14 – Managing eye health, hospital appointments and disability-related leave31:19 – Caring for Derek on placement and setting him up with his own workspace31:42 – What glaucoma is and how it affects vision32:35 – The challenges Skie’s mum faced raising a blind baby33:14 – Childhood independence, confidence and proving professionals wrong34:46 – Hobbies, travel and aerial fitness as a potential new adventure35:36 – Why disabled voices strengthen the profession — and why the work is still hard36:59 – Final reflections on making psychology inclusive and empowering future trainees38:25 – Your post-session reflection about accidentally saying “lovely to see you”39:31 – Subscriber-only content and how listeners can support the podcast40:40 – Information about the Snowden Trust for disabled studentsLinks:The Snowdon Trust - investing in disabled students:

In this episode, I speak with first year trainee clinical psychologist Jack Griffiths about his unconventional journey from football coaching in Wales to securing a training place after six DClinPsy application cycles. We discuss how he used non traditional experience to build his psychology identity, the challenges of being a male applicant in a female dominated profession, the pressure to demonstrate vulnerability in interviews, and what helped him stay grounded through years of uncertainty. Jack reflects on assistant psychologist roles, rejection, resilience, supervision, and the value of authenticity in developing as a clinician. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists preparing applications, strengthening reflection skills and carving out their own unique path into the profession.Highlights00:00 – Introducing Jack’s journey and years of persistence on the path to training01:20 – Meeting Jack and how his football coaching background first caught my attention01:54 – Jack’s route into psychology after repeated ACL injuries led him into coaching02:49 – Working with teenage academy players and using psychology to build culture, leadership and communication03:31 – How a love of psychology began early, and why Jack followed curiosity rather than a fixed plan05:28 – Staying grounded and authentic while entering a new profession06:11 – Using experiences from football and lifeguarding to strengthen reflections and clinical applications07:37 – Applying motivational interviewing and coaching models on the pitch, including autonomy and self leadership09:14 – Bringing personal style to coaching and rejecting outdated coaching stereotypes09:59 – We discuss being male in a female dominated psychology profession and how this shapes vulnerability and growth11:51 – How gender dynamics shape reflection and openness in interviews and supervision14:19 – Applying six times to training, losing confidence and feeling stuck as an assistant psychologist16:23 – Why assistant roles vary, and the emotional toll of years of striving for a single outcome18:25 – Interview challenges: authenticity vs playing “the reflection game” in high pressure situations20:32 – How men in psychology often start at a disadvantage around vulnerability expectations22:47 – Thoughts on equality, diversity and inclusion, and how men sometimes fall outside the conversation24:13 – Navigating assessment during training and handling power dynamics in supervision26:23 – How allowing yourself to start from zero on placement can lead to the biggest growth29:31 – The emotional impact of not being “chosen” for a placement and managing ego and comparison32:17 – Early anxieties about meeting supervisors and fitting into new teams33:42 – Final reflections and encouragement for aspiring psychologists on their own unconventional pathsLinks:📚 📲🫶 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:

Dr Tania Rodrigues and Natalie Miller join Dr Marianne Trent to discuss what happens when someone leaves prison, why the first 48 hours after release are the most dangerous, and how homelessness, trauma, institutionalisation and lack of support contribute to reoffending. We explore real experiences of people leaving custody, the emotional toll on staff, the challenges with probation and GP registration, and why short sentences often cause more harm than good. This episode offers a clear, compassionate look at life after prison and is particularly useful for aspiring psychologists, forensic practitioners and anyone interested in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. #prisonreform #traumainformed #prisonrelease Highlights00:00 - Setting the scene and the reality of post release homelessness01:06 - Introducing Dr Tania Rodrigues and Natalie Miller02:12 - Why people rarely enter prison from stability03:08 - The gap between internal progress and external life circumstances04:13 - Who actually picks up the pieces when someone hey baby, just leaves now, loves lots, x x custody05:40 - The fallacy of believing release is a linear journey07:30 - Short sentences, women in custody, and family breakdown08:25 - Lack of time to build trust and its impact on psychological work10:23 - Why every prison session may be the only session12:27 - Prison is often too unsafe for trauma focused therapy14:22 - Staff anxiety and helplessness when people are suddenly released16:06 - The contradiction between punishment buildings and rehabilitation goals18:18 - Housing, instability and the struggle to register with a GP19:37 - How losing homes, jobs and family ties worsens outcomes21:17 - Imagining the fear and uncertainty of having nowhere safe to go22:35 - Staff emotional experiences and the weight of safeguarding26:37 - Public perceptions of prisoners and the reality of low level offences29:04 - Institutionalisation, safety and why some people reoffend to return32:38 - Unstructured freedom and the overwhelm of sudden autonomy35:44 - How tiny things like controlling a light become enormous36:29 - The importance of trauma informed practise across all justice roles39:40 - Why prisons reflect societal failings rather than ‘bad people’41:22 - Stigma, inequality and the real barriers facing prison leavers44:27 - Final reflections on compassion, accountability and community safetyLinks:Links📲 To check out the book we mention by Chris Daw KC Justice on Trial head to: https://amzn.to/4i5H3bW🫶 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...

Barrister and author Chris Daw KC joins Dr Marianne Trent to discuss why punishment does not reduce crime and how trauma, inequality, childhood adversity and addiction drive people into the justice system. We explore the limitations of “getting tough on crime”, the impact of criminalising children, and what countries like Luxembourg and Switzerland can teach us about more effective, trauma-informed and compassionate approaches to justice. The conversation covers youth offending, drug policy, harm reduction, rehabilitation, and the long-term effects of shame and early environment on behaviour. This episode is particularly useful for aspiring psychologists, clinicians working in forensic or community settings, and anyone interested in understanding how justice systems can reduce reoffending and improve public safety. #criminaljustice #traumainformed #aspiringpsychologistHighlights00:00 - Welcome and introduction to barrister and author Chris Daw KC01:40 - Why punishment fails to reduce crime and what really drives offending03:20 - The justice system’s obsession with incarceration and its hidden costs06:00 - Chris reflects on childhood, missed education, and forks in the road08:45 - The impact of early environment and parental support on life chances10:30 - A real-life story showing how deprivation fuels future outcomes12:30 - Intergenerational inequality and the illusion of fairness in society16:00 - Why “getting tough on crime” misunderstands human behaviour18:00 - What justice should really aim for: fewer victims, safer communities20:30 - The addiction to punishment and how politics fuels it23:00 - Law as a social construction – and why our approach is outdated26:00 - What Luxembourg’s youth justice model gets right30:00 - Why children’s brains aren’t ready for adult accountability34:00 - The role of shame and trauma in youth offending36:30 - Should all drugs be legalised? Exploring global examples40:00 - Lessons from Switzerland’s heroin-assisted treatment programme45:30 - Why prohibition fuels addiction and crime53:00 - What legalisation could look like in a regulated, licensed system59:00 - Understanding the role of a barrister and what “KC” means01:02:00 - Final reflections: compassion as the only path to justice that healsLinks: 📚 📲 Chris Daw KC’s website: https://www.chrisdawkc.com Chris' Book, Justice on Trial: https://amzn.to/4pb2RoP🫶 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...

Changing careers in your 30s or 40s can feel daunting — but it might also be the best decision you ever make. In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr Marianne Trent talks with a former cancer-care radiographer who retrained as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). They explore the emotional impact of working in healthcare, recognising burnout, overcoming fear, managing finances, and pursuing a career in psychology later in life. This episode is packed with motivation and guidance for anyone wondering how to start a psychology career, apply for the PWP course, or rediscover purpose through compassionate work.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: When your career no longer fits01:14 – From radiotherapy to mental health support04:18 – Why therapeutic work felt more fulfilling than clinical treatment06:04 – Recognising compassion fatigue and value misalignment09:11 – Balancing family, health and the decision to retrain11:31 – Funding, salary changes and managing the practicalities13:13 – Health as a motivator for career change16:04 – How NHS experience supported the PWP application17:31 – What it’s like to train and qualify as a PWP19:14 – Starting again in your forties: challenges and mindset shifts21:51 – Accessing academic and wellbeing support during training23:48 – Why it’s never too late to thrive professionally25:10 – Permission to pursue fulfilment and alignment26:33 – The “Smile File” strategy for motivation and reflection29:18 – Closing reflections: authenticity, courage and growth🫶 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/aspiringpsychologistcommunityLike, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: