Age and the Assistant Psychologist – does it matter?

Whether older or younger, we can't help making initial judgements on the professionals we meet, particularly at the beginning of a therapeutic relationship.

Kelly is 46, with many years of mental health work experience under her belt, but her current position is her first AP post. Licia is 24, with numerous educational achievements to her name and currently in her second AP post. 

We both work together within the criminal justice system. We work with people on probation and/or with suspended sentences, meaning it is possible they could be sent to prison if their choices or behaviours don't align with the requirements of their sentence. Although the Primary Care-Mental Health Treatment Requirement (PC-MHTR) is not enforceable, it does form part of a sentence ordered by the judiciary. The team we work in is newly developed, coming up for a year in operation on the south coast. We work clinically both face to face and via video call with our clients, so there is no disguising our ages.

We work well together, and hold many similar values, approaches and interest in psychological practice. However, we both do worry about the impact our age might have on the work we do and have been reflecting on whether it also has an effect on our professional relationships and the clients we meet.

Licia's Journey – 'Am I too young for this?'

I was incredibly lucky to secure my first Assistant Psychologist post in a neurodiversity service for young people aged 11-25, straight after my master's course. I was only 22 years old, and although I was brimming with textbook knowledge and desperate to utilise it in some clinical practice, I still felt imposter syndrome hit me straight in the face as soon as I walked in my new office. 

My team were lovely, the service was brilliant, and the free lunches were delicious, so why did I feel nervous? Well, being the youngest member in a psychological service surrounded by many professionals with many letters after their names felt terrifying. What did I know about clinical work other than what I had noted down from various lectures and books? I had previous support-work experience, which gave me a great basis for heading into the world of clinical practice, but I still struggled to shake off the feelings of being 'too young for this'. 

It turned out that my youth became my strength in my clinical work. I understood the stresses and strains of living as an adolescent in the 21^st century because I was living that life too. I thoroughly enjoyed delivering 1:1 and group therapy sessions and I was supported by my supervisors and wider team for the whole journey. It felt like children took me seriously; I was a 'big adult' to them. Whilst I did always not feel like an adult, I could see why they looked up to me; both metaphorically and physically. Slowly, I became less concerned about my age in my clinical work; although meetings with 'real professionals,' still made me feel like I was the little one in the room. 

I'm now approaching the grand old age of 25, and I'm now very lucky to be working in my second AP post; this time with the MHTR team. It's a role which has levelled up again in terms of the risk and responsibilities I hold. Do I feel old enough now? Not at all! 

Being an AP in the MHTR service

As the youngest member of the team again, the imposter syndrome came flooding back in when I started my new post. I didn't understand how a young woman in her 20's with one years' AP experience under her belt could have such a responsibility. I now work with very vulnerable individuals involved in the criminal justice system; some of them old enough to be my grandparents. My initial thoughts were 'who on earth is going to take me seriously?'. 

To my surprise, everyone has taken me seriously so far. I realise now that whilst my age is an important factor for me when considering my 'social graces' (Burnham, 2012), it is not the only factor for me to contemplate. I have taken a key interest in exploring the power that we hold as clinicians and I understand now that whilst I view myself as 'inexperienced' and 'too young for this', my service users value me as a 'listener' and 'supportive'. They believe I hold a lot more power in the room than I ever really acknowledged. A lot of the time, my age is not even mentioned. Or if it, it's in a passing comment. 'That band was probably before your time' or 'before emails, I wrote letters'. Some of my clients age me and assume I have an abundance of life experience to draw upon. I am still debating whether I should be offended or complimented by these comments. 

I am privileged to have a variety of reflective spaces to talk about these issues with my colleagues. I speak to them about my insecurities regarding my age and how I feel that I am not old enough to be responsible for other people's mental health and therapeutic interventions. My colleagues challenge my thoughts. I am lucky to be validated and valued. To them, my age is just a number, and I am professional no matter which side of 30 I lay on. My age does not make a difference.

Kelly's Journey – 'Am I too old for this?'

I began working as a support worker in mental health services in my late 20's, when my first child was still at nursery. Having worked in administrative roles before, I always felt a yearning to 'help', to do something with people that felt more beneficial than moving paper about (yep, most of the work was paper based back then). From the start, I loved hearing people's stories and finding ways to offer a supportive ear. Over the next 12 years I moved across services, including – Forensic, OPMH, Peri-natal, and adult MH. I worked in both community and inpatient roles and developed an array of transferable skills and clinical experience. Over time my interest in psychology and the therapeutic benefits of working psychologically grew. It felt fascinating and rewarding and interested me much more than the medical model route of support worker to mental health nurse. During those 12 years my family grew, and my priority was always raising the children and being at home as much as I could – hence I always worked part time. My colleagues and family always encouraged me to channel my growing passion for all things psychology, but I never quite felt ready or able put in what was required, until my youngest child hit secondary school, and I wasn't needed as much. In 2019 I completed a counselling course which I loved. After that there was a choice to make - continue studying part time and eventually become a counsellor or take the plunge and study Psychology full time. I chose the latter and embarked on a Psychology with Counselling degree through the Open University. I continued to work part time in a CMHT which meant I could test out, observe and really understand the things I was learning. It was hard work, but so fulfilling. I had no idea I could achieve so much.

On completing my degree, with first class honours, at the age of 45, I began looking for AP roles that would make good use of my knowledge, and many years of NHS experience.  But straight away I felt my age was against me. I saw the majority of AP's as young, relatively fresh from university and generally more focussed on a career path. Why on earth would any service choose someone over halfway through their life who has only just managed to get through university? My previous job had been in Older People's Mental Health, and in that environment the client group had seen me as youthful and knowledgeable.

I was now entering a world where I was noticeably older and had gone about things 'the wrong way round'. I questioned the validity of my knowledge and worried that younger people would snigger at me for starting as an AP so late in life. I worried that professional colleagues of my age would see my late start as some kind of failure or inadequacy – why had I not already achieved more? But all that time I was missing something hugely important; I have achieved a life and all the social, emotional and practical knowledge that brings. I had also raised 3 humans, a challenge not to be underestimated! 

I was fortunate enough to secure a full time AP post in the PC-MHTR service and I could not have been more delighted. This role is one in which life skills are undoubtedly as valuable as academic knowledge, arguably, more so at times. I continue to worry about the perception my age creates amongst my colleagues and other professionals, however I strongly believe my life experience affords me valuable skills in empathy and insight. Those skills are not 'better' than those of younger colleagues, but they are different, and I believe they enhance my therapeutic relationships. My wonderful AP colleagues have never given me reason to doubt my skills and knowledge, and I am a work in progress.

Together, Licia and I frequently laugh about the differences in our experiences of the world. We may be two generations apart, but as a team we have observed that having a mix of ages doing the same role creates a fantastically dynamic, vibrant and open-minded environment. We all learn from each other, everyday. Recently we were both promoted to Senior AP, which we each felt has given us a sense of pride and appreciation for the strengths we bring to our roles and we still giggle about our imposter syndrome moments. 

• See also our 'Being an Assistant Psychologist' collection.