One on one with Lauren Heath - Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Can you tell me a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in psychology?

It wasn't until I did a placement year as part of my undergraduate degree that I knew for sure that I wanted to pursue psychology. Growing up I knew that I wanted to work in mental health but I actually thought that I would be a psychiatrist at first and it wasn't until I did the first year of my A-Levels that I realised that it wasn't going to be for me. Thankfully I picked psychology at A level and I enjoyed it as a subject which ultimately led me to take psychology for my undergraduate degree. 

What motivated you to undertake training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner?

I decided to train as a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) to build on some of the existing skills I had gained in my previous roles. I had used Cognitive Behavioural Therapy previously but it wasn't the only intervention I used and I wanted to confidently be able to use it with clients. I also couldn't afford to complete a Master's degree at the time so the fact that the training was funded, that I would gain a postgraduate certificate and be paid to train made it a fairly easy choice for me. It also appealed that I would be able to work clinically with a diverse range of clients.

What does your role as a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner entail?

I spend one day a week on my apprenticeship and this can vary between lectures, roleplays and study days. I then spend the other four days a week in service. I complete initial assessments with clients to assess their suitability for our service by gathering information about the clients' current experiences and assessing risk. If a client is not suitable for the service then we can signpost them to appropriate services. We also have 1:1 therapy sessions, deliver courses alongside our qualified clinicians and deliver weekly reviews for clients who are undertaking computerised CBT.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My favourite part of my job is the 1:1 client sessions. I like the fact that I can build rapport with the clients and be more person-centred with the interventions and that the client can have more of an active role in their therapy. I always find it so rewarding to see the improvement in clients week by week because they have really been able to grasp the interventions and been able to make positive changes in their lives.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

The most challenging part of my role is the limited time we get to work with clients. In my service, for our 1:1 appointments we offer approximately six sessions of CBT and the appointments last for approximately 30 minutes. In past roles I had longer to work with clients so the transition to shorter sessions for me was difficult. I also think that sometimes it can be difficult to stay on top of things like admin, so organisation is definitely key!

How do you juggle both the academic and clinical work commitments of your training?

It can be difficult to balance the different commitments as our apprenticeship days are quite intense. We have a lot to cover and we do not have time to complete academic work during the working day. Often I complete this during the evenings or weekends but I try to practice self-care as much as possible to make sure that I enjoy life outside of psychology to keep myself well.

What drives you?

Being able to help other people. I am very lucky to be able to work with people who trust me with their stories, sometimes it may be the first time they have ever opened up to someone and accessed therapy. Seeing a change in people will never stop being rewarding for me and is one of the many reasons I do what I do.

Can you share a piece of work or research that has really changed or shaped your practice?

I would say that working in intellectual disabilities services has shaped the way that I work. I found my work really rewarding and I was always inspired by the service users. It was an important service for me to work in as I always try to consider the wider systems that impact someone's mental health and the factors that may hinder a person from being able to access therapy. It taught me the importance of working in a way that empowers people to have a voice in the decisions made around their care and the importance of being truly heard.  

What are your aspirations for the future; and where do you see yourself in five years?

Lauren: I enjoy working within psychology and I intend to continuously develop my skills along the way, but I don't really know where or what I'll be doing in five years' time. Becoming a PWP will open up opportunities for me to progress as a senior PWP or CBT therapist, but equally, I could stay as a PWP! I'm trying not to stress too much about the next steps and just enjoy the journey.

What would you advise others that are interested in pursuing training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner?

Research the role by reading the 'Reach Out' guide by Richards and Whyte (2010) and speak with other PWPs to get a realistic sense of the role. There are Facebook groups and a lovely Twitter community where people are happy to share their wisdom and it's helpful to hear from people experiencing the role first-hand.

I would also encourage people to practice self-care throughout the process of applying for the roles and beyond. Training can be difficult so it's important to make time for you and connect with things you can enjoy!

Fauzia Khan is an Assistant Psychologist currently working within the NHS, whilst completing her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.