Masters of Clinical Psychology

[@sambarta9865]

Glad you're back 😊 Your final year sounds so hectic.. Are all clinical master's structured like that? I'm doing Ed & Dev and the way our program is structured is first year is only course work (with some mini placements, like delivering workshops, practising in class, using assessments etc), and second year is all placement (3 days a week) plus thesis. Couldn't imagine what you described while trying to have any kind of life outside of work. A metaphor that I like around doing master's and becoming a psych in general is that it's like the BUDS training navy seals have to do to become a navy seal, except instead of for the body and mind it's for the mind/soul/psyche etc. Couple that with all of the good things you are doing for yourself to live by your own advice (healthy eating, cutting out chemicals, social media etc), it's all just training you and helping you develop into to the most resilient, healthy person you can be. I'm looking forward to your "I've finished master's and am now a psychologist" video 😄All the best to you for this year!

[@psychologywithbrooke]

Hello! Congrats on finishing honours and doing an Ed and Dev masters!!! I hope you have recovered already from the end of honours rush! The clinical programs all sound quite similar with everybody doing external placements, working on their thesis, and having classes. I should point out that classes wise the assignments are way lighter (at least where I am). The assignments also build on the clinic work you are doing. (Small presentation of a client, formulation, treatment plan etc). So they're nothing hectic. I mean I'm going okay so far with having my weekends to myself. And when classes start I will always keep a day a a week completely free for my hobbies, family time, and to get weekly chores done. Placement work also absolutely never comes home, and on those days I don't touch school work. If anything you just get quicker at getting school work done and save time by dropping the whole perfectionistic thing. We are really encouraged to just get the work done and not worry about grades, which is refreshing. I really like that metaphor!!! I'm also ridiculously excited for that video haha. So glad you've enjoyed the content!

[@SH-tv9dm]

Wow, I just subscribed and have been going through all your videos. And then, a new one came up. :)🎉❤

[@ilutables]

Hi Brooke, any chance you could do a video on personal statements for master's programs? Thank you for your videos btw, very helpful and comforting as a current honours student!

[@psychologywithbrooke]

Awesome idea, thank you! I've put it on the list. I hope honours is treating you well! You are ALMOST at the finish line :D

[@majachromik2344]

Hey Brooke, I hope that the uni break is treating you well :) I was just wondering (if you feel comfortable sharing), what grades did you get to get into a Clinical Masters program? Thank you!

[@psychologywithbrooke]

Hey! My WAM was 80% for the Bachelors and 86% for Honours. Just remember that the Masters applications are about a lot more than just grades, so don't be disheartened if you feel your grades aren't what you'd like them to be :)

[@mayasridew]

Hey! I've been watching a few of your videos since I've got accepted into Masters. They have been really informative 😄 I was wondering if it's more manageable to hold a part time job in year 1? Just contemplating ways I can be somewhat financially stable before entering year 2 whereby it seems a lot more harder to maintain a side job. Thank you in advance and wishing you all the best!

[@psychologywithbrooke]

Hey! So glad you've found the videos helpful! Going by people in my cohort it is manageable to work in year 1! People in year one worked 1-2 days a week. Everyone is different though with their personal stamina so you might have to just see how you go. Universities I'm assuming might differ a bit too with schedules and work load. There's no shame in you attempting to work and if it gets too much revisiting your hours. Massive congratulations on getting in and all the best to you too!!

[@mayasridew]

@@psychologywithbrooke thank you for the advice!! I guess it's really about balancing which can get a bit tricky. I hope this year goes smoothly for you and all the best! 🤗

[@JohnSmith-rr3jt]

Hey been subbed to you for a fair while now and been enjoying your insights along the way. I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I've just finished my Honours in NSW and was looking to apply into a Masters course. But they all seem to massively favour people who already have experience working in the field of mental health. Problem is, when trying to find any jobs/roles to get experience they all want people who already have a Masters/2+ years of experience. Just wondering if you found yourself in that same Catch-22 going from Honours to Masters, and if so how did you get around it? All I can think of is volunteering for a year just to "get it on the resume" so to speak. Would you had any suggestions, especially with respect to if there are any paid avenues to pursue because well... living is expensive these days haha. Also, did you do your provisional registration with APHRA after getting into your Masters, or is that something you can do after just the honours?

[@psychologywithbrooke]

Hello! To answer the easy question first: you get your provisional registration with AHPRA when you start your masters course. If you do not get into a Masters course then you cannot apply for registration. (They used to have a 4+2 internship pathway, but I believe they got rid of that last year). Regarding experience: it is difficult. You should be able to get worker as a carer, which anything to do with NDIS is looked favourably upon and plus it is paid. Can you find intake work in a health/mental health setting? That's really good because you get to discuss sensitive topics with people who are affected, and practice your counselling skills. That's also paid! There seems to be a trend in the circle of people I know of working as a receptionist as a psychology clinic. That could be another option.

[@JohnSmith-rr3jt]

@@psychologywithbrooke Awesome, hadn't considered carer/intake work yet so I'll have to look in to those. And yes I've seen some listings for receptionists but they seem to get filled super quick haha. Good to know about the registration though, 1 less thing to worry about right now at least. Thanks for the help, much appreciated :) Good luck with your final year, just one last push to go.