How I got on the Counselling Psych Doctorate! DPsych City, University of London

Hi I’m Marios, on this channel we talk about psychology. I'm soon starting my doctorate degree in counselling psychology at City, University of London.
🕊 Twitter: / marios_cg
📸 Insta: / marios_cg
🎵 TikTok: / marios_cg
Disclaimer: On the channel we discuss themes relating to psychology and mental health, but it is not advice and if you need support including mental or medical attention please seek support from a licensed professional.
#psychology #doctorate #university #traineetherapist
tags: counselling, psychotherapy, trainee psychologist

[@dc4084]

Hi Marios, really helpful. Could you do a video on how you have found it possible to afford the Counselling Doctorate whilst switching careers. Finding it difficult to find relevant work experience whilst still working a full time job (to even get an interview), and then being able to afford paying for a doctorate whilst having to quit my current career is another story.

[@Marios_CG]

Thank you for watching, yes, I can do a video on this.

[@ttsmilez2989]

Thank you Marios for the video and your whole channel! It’s so helpful and full of beneficial information 😊 Your videos have helped me to be confident with my career change into psychology and have less fear. I’m currently 27 but working in Finance as a HR consultant. My undergrad was in English coincidentally from City, University of London! For many years, I’ve done voluntary counselling work for young people and children in different settings and volunteered in mental health charities working with adults. Now I’m ready to pivot and work in what I truly value and passionate about. Being a black women and seeing the low representation of black psychologists I want to be a part of a positive change to widening the scope of mental health to different communities. My journey of starting my career change is kind of similar to your beginning when you first started your conversion masters and worked in corporate. I’m starting my conversion masters at Birkbeck university this October part-time😊. Thank you for the recommendation and experience videos! I’m so proud to see your growth in your career change and honoured to watch your journey. Now you’re at the doctorate level, congratulations!🌟It gives hope to us career changers that it’s not too late! Wishing you the best of luck and success in your doctorate studies, work and beyond 🎉

[@Marios_CG]

Wow that is so sweet thank you! Feels amazing to know that it has helped you and your journey sounds super exciting! Yes, very important to get representation in the profession so that is great you are doing that. Please make sure to let me know if you ever want some topics covered or advice and I can create some helpful content I hope.

[@ttsmilez2989]

⁠@@Marios_CGthank you so much! I’m so happy your replied! 😁 honestly your channel is great. Definitely, I’ll let you know of any suggestions. I look forward to seeing your channel grow❤

[@alanafernandez1082]

i can second this! I was originally considering the clinical doctorate but it is so competitive and draining to apply. The counselling doctorate suits my research and skills background more but I am quite concerned about funding it. How much would you say it would cost outside of studying fees. Also for a research proposal, I am an entrepreneur and was hoping to write a proposal on the impact of burn out on small business owners. Do you think this would be a relevant enough area to apply with?

[@Marios_CG]

@alanafernandez1082 yes that sounds like it could be a topic you do as a thesis. I think it’d depend on ethical approvals and getting access to enough people to generate a dataset to analyse. Also depends on research method you choose

[@chloeinezka]

i’m considering switching into psychology too, thanks for sharing

[@jeanettewalker6314]

Thanks, there is a lot of useful information here. I had my first interview recently and was unsuccessful. I will try again next year though.

[@Marios_CG]

Well done for getting the interview, it’s disappointing to not get through I know (I got rejected from all clinical ones, though that’s a mixed blessing!)

[@bob-ow2er]

Also I don’t know whether you would be prepared to make a separate video on the modules of the course and what your experience of them.

[@bob-ow2er]

Hi Marios, this is great. The course in city is the actually the one I want to do but do you have any tips for whether you can work and afford the counselling phd as it’s not funded.

[@user-gr9tw3pq8l]

Hi Marios, thank you so much for making this video. Just wondering if you have any advice on what masters would be most useful for getting onto the counselling psych doctorate. I know a masters isn’t compulsory but I think it would be useful :)

[@Marios_CG]

I did the conversion MSc Psychology but if you already have a BPS accred degree you don’t need it. I would say don’t do a Masters unless you need to. Apply for the doctorate directly, and if you want to have the option in case you don’t make it apply for a counselling or mental health masters/PGDip to fill that time (tho practical experience is just as if not more valuable than a MSc)

[@jasmeentorgul4292]

Thanks for this video Marios super helpful! I have my BSc in Psychology and 6 months experience as an assistant psychologist. How much more experience would you suggest I undertake before applying?

[@Marios_CG]

Apply as soon as you’re willing to take the course. 6 months is enough if you can show how’s it’s informed our decision to pursue the career.

[@jasmeentorgul4292]

@@Marios_CG Thanks!

[@cody-channeling]

I would love to connect given I am aspiring to move to the UK for my doctorate after completing my LMFT (masters) license in the US. Could you do a video on your updated experience of the program?

[@chloeinezka]

nhs funded psych doctorate is so competitive..

[@Marios_CG]

Yes the clinical psychology doctorate is extremely competitive. From what I've heard it's also not much fun, it's like being a full-time employee to the NHS and a student, extremely demanding and not very customisable in terms of your specialism. To be honest, even with the fees paid and salary they give you, if you have the option to go for the counselling doctorate I personally would recommend that (I'm biased of course).

[@adrianamaclennan7832]

Also-- is this program offered internationally?

[@Marios_CG]

It’s full-time in person, but open to international students, you would have to be here in the UK physically to do the course.

[@savi319]

How many words was your personal statement?

[@Marios_CG]

Probably near the maximum allowed for a City. The website or application platform will tell you the limit.

[@user-gg9tw5zm7q]

Hi. If someone has done the MSc in Psychological Sciences conversion, whether there is a need to pursue another master's degree after this one? After completing this degree, would I be eligible to work as a psychologist in London? Following the completion of the MSc conversion, would I have the opportunity to pursue a PhD in a more specific field of study?

[@user-gg9tw5zm7q]

Am really worried. I would really appreciate if you give me the reply

[@ttsmilez2989]

@@user-gg9tw5zm7qHiya, you can’t work as a psychologist just from a masters. However, you can apply for assistant psychologist roles or other clinical roles within mental health care and get work experience. With your master’s and work experience you can apply for a professional doctorate (which is very competitive). Once you’ve completed the doctorate then you can work as a psychologist depending what route you took it can be Clinical, Counselling, Education, Health etc. Hope that helps

[@Marios_CG]

Hello, yes the comment just before this one is correct. Generally you require a very specialist Masters degree (for some psychotherapies) or a doctorate such as in counselling or clinical psychology. It would be best to figure out exactly what kind of psychologist you want to be first, then search for the UK requirements for this. Keep in mind, you can be a therapist or a counsellor in the UK with many different kinds of qualifications, but if you want to be a registered psychologist, then you need to go through the routes described in this comment and the comment above.

[@adrianamaclennan7832]

Do you have a Masters before getting into this?

[@Marios_CG]

You need a BPS accredited undergraduate or masters degree. International degrees can retrospectively be BPS accredited but you need to get in touch with BPS to get this done.

[@jrayalajrayala1324]

I have a bachelors from the USA and definitely took some leg work but was able to get BPS accreditation without much difficulty! =)