Pre-Qual Spotlight Blog: Five Tips for a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) interview

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) interview is a daunting and stressful part of the journey towards becoming a qualified clinical psychologist. For many people, it is an annual obstacle which separates them from a future life as a trainee clinical psychologist. But with the right preparation, you can increase your chances of success. With over 30 DClinPsy course centres across the UK, each presents a uniquely rigorous process, which aims to assess an applicant's academic abilities, personal qualities, clinical understanding, and research potential. Here are five key tips to help you navigate this challenging stage:

1. Master the PEEL structure for answering questions:

As with many pre-qualified interviews (e.g. assistant psychologist, psychological wellbeing practitioner, support worker) a common challenge for the interview is understanding how to structure your responses effectively to maximise points allocated for answers. The PEEL acronym offers a practical framework to simplify crafting a clear and concise answer. PEEL stands for:

• Point: Start by making your main point or argument. This should directly address the question and provide a clear direction for your answer. For example, if asked about your strengths, instead of listing them, choose one or two key strengths and state them upfront.
• Evidence: Back up your point with specific evidence. This could be examples from your experiences, clinical placements, research projects, or even relevant reading. The more concrete and specific your evidence, the more compelling your answer will be to the interview panel.
• Explanation: Explain how your evidence supports your point. Don't just state the evidence; connect it back to the question and explain its significance. This demonstrates your analytical skills and your ability to think critically.
• Link: Conclude your answer by linking back to the original question or by summarising your key points. This provides a sense of closure and ensures that your answer is focused and relevant, and easy for an interviewer to appropriately score your response.

Tip: Have a go at writing some mock questions and use the PEEL method to bullet point how you may want to structure and deliver the answer. Getting the hand of this method for addressing questions can limit any rambling or failing to answer the specific question being asked.

2. Demonstrate your clinical understanding and awareness:

Clinical psychology is a mental health profession which attempts to synthesize our knowledge and understanding, drawing from the evidence-based practice from wider research and our practice-based evidence from the therapeutic work with clients. 

Being able to demonstrate a strong comprehension of both these areas can be a great way to stand out during an interview. For example, try staying up-to-date with current issues in mental health, relevant legislation changes, and NHS policy (e.g. the NHS Long Term Plan). This could also be developed from a wider reading in books, journal articles, and government reports. Be prepared to potentially discuss any relevant reading or theoretical models in psychology and how you may adapt these in your role.

However, try to avoid the trap of simply reciting facts and figures. Instead, try to focus on demonstrating your ability to think critically and apply your knowledge to potential real-world clinical scenarios. 

Tip: Practice discussing case vignettes or hypothetical clinical situations. Try to demonstrate your ability to formulate a case, where you can consider different perspectives, and think about appropriate interventions. Remember, you're not expected to be a qualified clinician, but you are expected to demonstrate a solid foundation of knowledge and a thoughtful approach to clinical issues which you could build upon during training.

3. Articulate your research interests and experience:

Remember that you are applying to study on a doctoral level qualification. Each course is different but amongst all research is a core component of expectation you will complete during training. Be prepared to discuss any research experiences you may have been involved with in your current or previous roles, even if it's just your undergraduate dissertation! 

Be able to feel comfortable explaining your research question, methodology, findings, and their implications and consider how your research interests align with the programme's research strengths and potential supervisors. Being able to demonstrate your understanding of research design, data analysis, and ethical considerations in research can be beneficial to show your strengths in this area.

Tip: Make a list of the previous research experiences you may have (e.g. undergraduate project, service improvements, quality improvement projects, literature reviews, etc). Think about how you could briefly explain these during a DClinPsy interview, which cover the main points and considers the implications and learnings from this research, which you could bring to future work (*cough* DClinPsy thesis *cough*).

4. Practice, practice, practice!

We all have our own opinions about mock interviews, but being able to take the practice and preparation you are completing and trying it out with someone else can be a great way to deal with any interview nerves and get you comfortable giving structured answers. Whether it be with friends, family members, clinical supervisors, service managers, or others with DClinPsy interviews coming up, finding someone you feel comfortable asking for support and trialling an interview format with, to refine answers and identify potential areas for improvement, can be a great way to get out of your comfort zone. 

Remember, maintaining eye contact, speaking clearly, and projecting confidence are all important traits for any interview.

Tip: Try recording yourself giving a mock interview answer and review the recording to identify any potential areas for improvement, such as communication style and body language.

5. Be authentic and enthusiastic:

Perhaps saving the best until last, interviews are not just about assessing your technical knowledge and skills. They are also trying to assess your personality and if you are fit for the program's ethos. Being genuine and your authentic self will let you feel comfortable and confident, rather than trying to pretend to be what you think they are looking for.

Don't be afraid to let your passion for a career in clinical psychology shine through, and your enthusiasm about the perspective of training on that programme. Remember, an interview is a two-way process. It is your opportunity to assess whether that programme is the right fit for you. Try to remember to relax and enjoy the process. It is a great step in your career getting a DClinPsy interview.

Tip: Research the programme you have an interview for and write a list of a few potential questions you could ask to trainees who may be there on the day, or the interview panel, to find out more information and see if that course is right for you. 

Want more information about DClinPsy interviews? The BPS Division of Clinical Psychology Pre-Qualification Group is hosting an online DClinPsy Interviews Webinar on 10 March 2025, from 6pm – 8pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain further insights and advice as you navigate the interview process with a panel discussion with qualified clinical psychologists, Q&A section with newly-qualified and trainee psychologists, and reflective breakout rooms. Sign up is available now – don't miss out!

Author

Richard Malkin is currently in his second year as a trainee clinical psychologist at Teesside University and working in Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. He also serves as co-chair of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology Pre-Qualification Group.