Becoming an Assistant Psychologist in the UK can feel frustrating, competitive, and at times deeply personal – especially when applications don’t lead to interviews or offers. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why Assistant Psychologist roles are so difficult to secure, what experience is actually needed before applying, and how to navigate rejection without burning out or losing confidence. We discuss the reality of psychology career pathways in the UK, including why many successful applicants have prior relevant roles, how to build experience strategically, and how to approach interviews as a two-way process – including checking whether a role truly fits you and whether employers can support reasonable adjustments. If you’re an aspiring psychologist feeling stuck, overlooked, or questioning your path, this episode will help you reframe your journey and take your next steps with clarity and compassion. Timestamps: 00:00 Why psychology graduates feel “behind” after uni 01:02 What university careers services actually do 02:13 Support available after graduation (and why it matters) 03:06 Why psychology careers feel confusing compared to others 04:26 Different mental health career pathways explained 05:40 Low pay early on and managing expectations 06:06 Understanding your career values 07:18 Why experience matters more than income early on 08:20 Building experience during university 09:18 Real example of paid student support work 10:35 Why your effort might go unnoticed (but still matters) 11:25 Creative ways to gain relevant experience 12:05 Mental health roles within universities 13:11 Building relationships for references 14:14 Why tutors need to actually know you 15:11 The long-term impact of mentors and lecturers 16:06 Mock interviews and building confidence 16:52 Practising interviews and finding your voice 17:52 Interviews are human – not designed to catch you out 18:59 Interviews are a two-way process 20:02 Checking job fit and reasonable adjustments 21:17 Diversity and inclusion in psychology pathways 22:17 Internship opportunities and widening access 22:57 Celebrating first Assistant Psychologist roles 23:55 Why AP roles aren’t entry-level 24:37 Managing expectations around experience 25:59 Discouragement and proving people wrong 26:40 Choosing your own career path (not others’) 27:49 Backup plans and flexibility in goals 28:30 Burnout, pacing yourself and taking breaks 29:25 Noticing when you’re ready for the next step 30:19 Following your natural interests and curiosity 🔔 Subscribe for More Psychology Insights! 👉 Never miss an episode: Subscribe now 📚 My Books on Amazon 📖 The Grief Collective → https://amzn.to/4hNHru5 📖 The Clinical Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/3ErIEJs 📖 The Aspiring Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/4jSxc9N 📖 Talking Heads: Stories of Psychology & Mental Health → https://amzn.to/3EvbKaN 📖 An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals → https://amzn.to/3WXBpz9 🎧 Stay Connected With Me 🌍 Aspiring Psychologists Website: www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk 🌍 Good Thinking Psychology Website: www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk 💼 LinkedIn: Dr Marianne Trent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marianne-trent-psychology/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodThinkingPsychologicalServices 🐦 Twitter/X: @DrMarianneTrent 📸 Instagram: @DrMarianneTrent 🎵 TikTok: @DrMarianneTrent 📩 Business & Collaboration Enquiries ✉️ Email: Info@GoodThinkingPsychology.co.uk ⚡ Want More? Check These Out! 🔹 Join the Aspiring Psychologist Membership: Learn more here 🔹 Download my FREE Psychology Success Guide: Grab your copy here ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. 💡 Want to support the channel? Like, comment, and share this video! © Dr Marianne Trent

Strong wasn’t always something girls were encouraged to be. I certainly never was anyway. But what happens when we see strong differently? I loved chatting with Dr Mel Morrison, aka the sporty Ed Psych to discuss the power of girls and sport and exercise. In this clip from the latest episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore how role models like Denise Lewis helped reshape what strength looks like – and why visibility matters so much for confidence and identity. Because strong isn’t unfeminine. Strong can be powerful. Strong can be inspiring. Strong can be sexy. 💬 Mel & I would love your thoughts? Have you ever weight trained? Do you worry about what people think of you when it comes to how you do or don’t exercise? 🎥 Watch the full episode: search Dr Marianne Trent on YouTube 🎙️ Listen on all podcast platforms: Psychology, Actually #strongwomen #strongwomen #womenwholiftweights #womanwholift #girlsinsports

What if one of the most powerful tools for girls’ confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing was already on the school timetable? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why girls in sport is about so much more than physical fitness. Joined by educational psychologist Dr Mel Morrison (The Sporty Ed Psych), we discuss how sport supports emotional regulation, identity development, belonging, and confidence in girls and young women. We also unpack the barriers that still exist – including gender stereotypes, access, cost, and school culture – and how we can create more inclusive opportunities so all girls can thrive, both in education and beyond. If you’re a parent, educator, or aspiring psychologist, this episode offers a powerful, systemic perspective on how sport can transform not just physical health, but psychological wellbeing and engagement in learning. Highlights 00:00 Why girls’ confidence might be hiding in sport 01:13 Emotional regulation through sport 02:21 Belonging, connection and social development 03:25 Identity, body image and confidence in adolescence 04:39 Resilience, discomfort and mental strength 05:01 Missed opportunities and changing narratives 06:29 Why sport isn’t just for the “naturally sporty” 07:24 Adult rediscovery of sport and identity 08:43 From punishment to joy – changing your relationship with movement 10:30 Sport as emotional regulation for psychologists 11:34 Strength training, femininity and breaking stereotypes 12:57 “Sporty Spice was right” – cultural shifts in women’s sport 13:38 Strong is sexy – reframing strength and identity 14:15 Denise Lewis and the power of role models 15:20 Barriers for girls – body image, visibility and fear 16:33 Using sport to support education and engagement 18:01 Sport as intervention for disengaged pupils 19:02 Motivation, behaviour and classroom impact 20:14 Making PE inclusive and meaningful 21:31 Supporting neurodiverse young people through sport 22:53 Sensory needs, structure and safe environments 24:37 Cost, access and inequality in sport 26:10 Dr Mel Morrison’s work and The Sporty Ed Psych 28:59 Applying sports psychology to education Connect with Dr Mel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-mel-morrison-6a330691/ 🔔 Subscribe for More Psychology Insights! 👉 Never miss an episode: Subscribe now 📚 My Books on Amazon 📖 The Grief Collective → https://amzn.to/4hNHru5 📖 The Clinical Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/3ErIEJs 📖 The Aspiring Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/4jSxc9N 📖 Talking Heads: Stories of Psychology & Mental Health → https://amzn.to/3EvbKaN 📖 An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals → https://amzn.to/3WXBpz9 🎧 Stay Connected With Me 🌍 Aspiring Psychologists Website: www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk 🌍 Good Thinking Psychology Website: www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk 💼 LinkedIn: Dr Marianne Trent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marianne-trent-psychology/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodThinkingPsychologicalServices 🐦 Twitter/X: @DrMarianneTrent 📸 Instagram: @DrMarianneTrent 🎵 TikTok: @DrMarianneTrent 📩 Business & Collaboration Enquiries ✉️ Email: Info@GoodThinkingPsychology.co.uk ⚡ Want More? Check These Out! 🔹 Join the Aspiring Psychologist Membership: Learn more here 🔹 Download my FREE Psychology Success Guide: Grab your copy here ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. 💡 Want to support the channel? Like, comment, and share this video! © Dr Marianne Trent

We train psychologists to think brilliantly… but no one really teaches us how to feel. In this episode we explore embodied practice in psychology, including how to manage stress, anger, burnout, trauma, and emotional overwhelm through the body rather than just the mind. I’m joined again by Dr Sunil Lad, Consultant Counselling Psychologist and NHS Clinical Director, and we discuss why many clinicians feel disconnected from their bodies and what changes when we begin to work bottom-up instead of top-down. This episode is essential for psychologists, therapists, and anyone who feels stuck in their head, overwhelmed, or unable to switch off. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Why psychologists aren’t taught to feel 01:12 What is embodied practice in psychology? 02:18 Thinking vs feeling – getting out of your head 02:43 Transference, countertransference and body awareness 03:33 Anger, expression and safe emotional release 04:35 Anger vs violence – why they’re not the same 05:46 Compassion-focused therapy and emotional triggers 06:35 Checking in with your body in daily life 07:40 Social media, stress and nervous system activation 09:30 Building body awareness through movement and curiosity 11:54 Discomfort vs pain – learning your body’s signals 13:25 Why growth takes time (no quick fixes) 14:45 Embodiment as stress buffering for psychologists 15:45 Coping vs nourishing – how we regulate after hard days 17:11 “The body keeps the score” in clinical work 19:30 Bringing embodiment into supervision 21:00 Starting small – where to begin with embodied practice 22:58 Playfulness, movement and reconnecting with the body 24:04 Slowing down in a fast-paced world 25:13 Trying new experiences and building neural pathways 26:10 Where to find Dr Sunil Lad + his work 26:50 Final reflections – what stayed with me Connect with Dr Sunil Lad here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sunil-lad-89597446/ Iconic Book: The Body Keeps the Score Book: https://amzn.to/3NJoY8F 🔔 Subscribe for More Psychology Insights! 👉 Never miss an episode: Subscribe now 📚 My Books on Amazon 📖 The Grief Collective → https://amzn.to/4hNHru5 📖 The Clinical Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/3ErIEJs 📖 The Aspiring Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/4jSxc9N 📖 Talking Heads: Stories of Psychology & Mental Health → https://amzn.to/3EvbKaN 📖 An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals → https://amzn.to/3WXBpz9 🎧 Stay Connected With Me 🌍 Aspiring Psychologists Website: www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk 🌍 Good Thinking Psychology Website: www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk 💼 LinkedIn: Dr Marianne Trent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marianne-trent-psychology/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodThinkingPsychologicalServices 🐦 Twitter/X: @DrMarianneTrent 📸 Instagram: @DrMarianneTrent 🎵 TikTok: @DrMarianneTrent 📩 Business & Collaboration Enquiries ✉️ Email: Info@GoodThinkingPsychology.co.uk ⚡ Want More? Check These Out! 🔹 Join the Aspiring Psychologist Membership: Learn more here 🔹 Download my FREE Psychology Success Guide: Grab your copy here ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. 💡 Want to support the channel? Like, comment, and share this video! © Dr Marianne Trent