Trainee Clinical Psychologists
The Division of Clinical Psychology is here to support you through your training and career.
Welcome to the world of Clinical Psychology
On behalf of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) we would like to welcome you as the latest recruits to our profession.
Well done for getting to this stage, we know how much hard work has been put in to get this far. Whilst we are sure you will be feeling excited, you are probably also anxious about the training ahead of you.
That is why we would like to invite you to join our community of clinical psychologists so that we can support you in your journey.
Learn more about being a trainee in the DCP
Who are we?
The DCP is the largest professional body for clinical psychologists in the UK and represents the profession in all training and workforce matters and work to influence policy makers and leaders in national and local settings in addition to providing benefits for its members.
As a member we will be alongside you in every aspect of your career, offering dedicated support and encouragement for trainee clinical psychologists like yourself.
Find out more about the work of the DCP
How can we help you?
As a trainee member you will benefit from a range of opportunities, including:
- Receiving free or reduced rates for clinical psychology resources, conferences and workshops. These allow you to develop your knowledge and network at a lower cost
- Submitting an article or topic for inclusion in the Clinical Psychology Forum. This helps evidence your expertise and gain publishing credibility
- Take part in national working groups and a host of other DCP committees. This participation will enhance your knowledge, confidence and overall professional development
"I get to network with clinical psychologists, and have found this really useful in helping me to think about the bigger picture, and understand progression and systems in clinical psychology" - Kate Cudmore, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
These benefits are for our members only, and it costs just £16 a year to join our clinical psychology community as a trainee.
What is the Pre-Qualification Group (PQG)?
The Pre-Qualification Group (PQG) is a network within the DCP which specifically represents aspiring and trainee clinical psychologists.
How do I join the Pre-Qualification Group?
When you join the DCP, you will automatically become members of the DCP Pre-Qualification Group and be able to access resources including the regular PQG Newsletters.
The PQG offers representation for you on your journey to becoming clinical psychologists and provides a supportive community whose voices are shared, heard, and acted on within the profession.
If you have any questions about how the PQG or the Division please get in touch.
Find out more about the Pre-Qualification Group
Our members include those in postgraduate study or in pre-training roles, such as a Support Workers or Assistant Psychologists.
How do we help develop the profession?
The DCP have promoted and fought for opportunities for our members and to help develop the wider health of clinical psychology in the UK. Of particular relevance to trainees are:
- Working closely with Health Education England to achieve the significant 40 per cent increase in training places over the last three years
- Advocating for even greater funding of training positions across England, Scotland, Northern. Ireland, and Wales
- Publishing the free annual Alternative Handbook findings for anyone seeking training to get a real sense of what training may look like in courses they are interested in
- Developing an EDI sub-committee to drive change in and beyond our division
What else does the DCP do?
If you would like to take a deeper dive into the work of the division, you can download our DCP Review of 2023.
Our work is focussed on enriching the experiences of pre-qualified aspiring psychologists and providing a space to learn, discuss, reflect and share ideas with others.
So, if you are a trainee clinical psychologist and want to have your say and help shape not just your career but the wider profession, then we would love for you to join us.
- Ken Cheung, Co-Chair of the DCP Pre-Qualification Group
Why should I join the Division of Clinical Psychology?
There are a number of benefits of joining the DCP and/or the PQG.
Professional recognition
- The opportunity to be nominated and win a range of awards, including the Trainee Research Excellence Award and the Trainee Excellence in Practice Award
- Take part in national working groups and a host of other DCP committees. This participation will enhance your knowledge, confidence and overall professional development
- Disseminate your work and write about the latest topics by submitting an article or topic for inclusion in Clinical Psychology Forum, demonstrating your expertise and gaining publishing credibility
- Network with local psychologistsConnecting with your local DCP Branch will provide you with benefits, contacts and networking opportunities close to you.
- Join our Pre-Qualification GroupThe Pre-Qualification Group (PQG) represents those who are on the journey to becoming clinical psychologists at both Pre-Training and In-Training levels of DCP membership.
- Find your specialismLearn more about our specialist faculties which can help you develop your knowledge and career in specific areas of interest, from dealing with addictions or eating disorders to working with children or older people.
Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Access to a wide variety of discounted CPD courses and resources through BPS Learn, helping you meet your HCPC registration requirements
- Giving you reduced rates for clinical psychology conferences and workshops. Allowing you to develop your knowledge and network at a lower cost
- The opportunity to apply for bursaries to attend events which will help you to develop your knowledge and network at a lower cost
- Regular news and updatesIncluding our DCP in Focus newsletter, so we can keep you updated with all the latest news, insights and research relevant to you.
- Have your sayHelp us shape the future of clinical psychology by taking part in wider BPS consultations on many of the most important issues facing us today.
- Access to Clinical Psychology ForumEach issue is free to members and features in-depth discussions of a variety of issues relevant to clinical psychology as well as regular updates about the work of the DCP.
So why not take the next step and join us now?
Remember that all DCP publications are free to our members, and our regularly scheduled events are either free or heavily discounted (especially if you're a trainee).
And don't forget that as a DClinPsy trainee you can join the division for an annual fee of just £16.
Are you ready to join the largest professional body for clinical psychologists in the UK?
Being a member of the Division of Clinical Psychology can enhance your understanding of the field, allow you to network with your peers, and give you easy access to the latest insights, research, and resources.
Not only that, but as a trainee you can benefit from significantly reduced fees.
We've broken down the fees for you below so you can see what you need to pay if you are already a BPS member, or if you need to join the BPS alongside joining the DCP Pre-Qual group.
If you are a member of the BPS but not a member of the DCP, you can join in three simple steps
- Visit the 'Join' tab on our DCP microsite and click the apply button for your respective grade
- Sign in to your BPS portal account
- Complete your application form
How much will I pay?
Our Membership Team processes applications within 3-5 working days where we'll request the subscription fee of £16.
If you are not a member of the BPS, you can join us and the DCP in four simple steps
- Visit the Graduate Membership page
- Click the 'Become a member' button
- Register for an online account
- Complete your application form and paying your application fee (non-refundable)
Please note: you must be a member of the BPS in order to join the DCP.
Our Membership Team typically processes applications within three-to-four weeks, and we'll then request the relevant membership fees, including the DCP subscription fee of £16.
How much will I pay?
As a DClinPsy trainee the annual fees are:
- BPS Graduate membership: £42.48 (for 2024)
- DCP General membership: £16 (for 2024)
- One-time application fee (if you're not already a Graduate Member): £50 (for 2024)
If you are not a BPS Graduate member, the total amount you will pay to join for your first year (once you have enrolled on your programme) will be £108.48 - that's less than a cup of coffee a week!
And while your initial application fee is non-refundable it's also a one-off cost that you won't need to pay again.
Join the DCP
If you are not already a BPS member you can join the DCP at the same time as applying for membership of the society.