"This placement has solidified my desire to become a clinical psychologist"

Being an undergraduate psychology student, I was aware of the competitive nature of pursuing a career in clinical psychology, consequently making me determined to complete a placement year in a clinical setting for my third year of university. 

I was fortunate enough to secure a placement year through Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at the Specialist Palliative Care Psychology Service at John Eastwood Hospice, and Psychology Oncology Team at King's Mill Hospital. During my placement, I have been exposed to a wide range of experiences. I have had the opportunity to shadow various assessments, therapy sessions and supervision with nurses and counsellors. It has been so fascinating to observe how different clinicians adapt their own styles and approaches to delivering sessions.

I have also been able to develop my research skills, which has been an integral part of my role. I am currently working on a thematic analysis of feedback data from a psychological skills training designed for the hospice staff. Additionally, I am responsible for inputting demographic data, and analysing pre and post scores of patients, which is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of the service. Through this, I have gained a greater appreciation of how research informs clinical practice and service development.

The placement has provided many opportunities for training, including Suicide Response and Awareness Training and Introduction to Psychological Assessment and Intervention (Level Two). Attending these training sessions improved my screening and listening skills. Moreover, engaging in deliberate practice has reinforced the importance of refining skills through role play and feedback.

An especially exciting aspect of my placement has been my involvement in a new Virtual Reality (VR) Clinic within the hospice, working alongside the trainee clinical psychologist. We are using the Medical VR with palliative inpatients, outpatients and staff to explore any potential benefits. Given the lack of research on the effects of VR usage in a clinical setting, contributing to this project has been an amazing experience, allowing me to witness the profound impact VR can have on wellbeing.

Beyond clinical research opportunities, I have been fortunate to be a part of a dynamic and supportive team. The physical health psychology team regularly organise away days and social events which strengthens team relationships and creates a positive working environment. Being a part of this highlighted the importance of workplace culture in maintaining staff morale and wellbeing.

It feels quite amazing that I have been involved in so much in just six months. I feel as though I have learnt so much and this placement has really solidified my desire to become a clinical psychologist. For any undergraduate students debating whether to do a clinical placement year, my advice would be…do it! The hands-on experience, exposure to clinical setting and professional development are invaluable, and I could not recommend it more highly.