Building a compassionate community of psychologists
Kyah Sisulu and Katie Long on why you should be listening to The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast.
05 October 2022
Dr Marianne Trent is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in trauma and supporting aspiring psychologists. She is also author of The Clinical Psychologist Collective and The Grief Collective, and is spearheading a new book in the series, The Aspiring Psychologist Collective. Her Aspiring Psychologist Podcast covers topics such as self-care and compassion, health and wellbeing, interview tips and formulation. The podcast is a great accessible resource to help aspiring psychologists with their career paths and their mental health along the way.
One of the benefits of this podcast is the normalisation of thoughts and feelings you have whilst working in a psychology setting. There's discussion of non-disclosure, boundary setting, and risk, but also aspects of being a psychologist which aren't usually spoken about – such as 'not being in the mood', 'how to support an aspiring psychologist' and 'being a parent whilst training'. This ensures that we know we are not alone. Just because you are an assistant psychologist you don't have to be 100 per cent perfect all the time: it's normal to sometimes not be in the mood!
There are episodes with guest speakers from different areas within psychology, and other professions such as specialists in leadership and nutrition. The podcast sits well with the Collective series, and Dr Trent also runs an aspiring psychologist membership which offers a reflective space and further training on topics like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Another thing to love about this podcast is how accessible it is – 37 (and counting) episodes, absolutely free! For a long time, the tips and tricks of clinical psychology have seemed like the world's best kept secret. Not only does the podcast allow aspiring psychologists to learn and develop their knowledge of clinical practice, but it also promotes inclusivity, compassion, and a safe space to reflect on whether a path in psychology is something you wish to pursue.
Reviewed by Kyah Sisulu, incoming trainee clinical psychologist and autism family support worker;
and Katie Long, Assistant Psychologist and aspiring clinical psychologist.
Twitter: @KyahAQSisulu and @KatieLong03
(and see also @DrMarianneTrent)
