The three-year doctorate programme will provide you with the necessary competencies and experiences to register as a Clinical Psychologist with the UK Health and Care Professions Council.

Overview

Clinical Psychologists provide support and intervention to people experiencing psychological difficulties in a wide range of contexts, including NHS psychological and physical health services, as well as within wider community and third sector settings. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, families, teams, and services to improve psychological care and wellbeing and seek to do so in a way that respects difference and diversity.

On this programme, you will be both a full-time salaried NHS employee currently of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB) and a postgraduate research student at Cardiff University. You will experience working within a range of health and social care settings across south, mid and west Wales, and can expect to work collaboratively with service users, carers, and other professionals. Emphasis is placed on preparing trainees to work within multi-professional contexts, and to be confident in taking on leadership roles. Emphasis is also placed on developing resilience and self-care.

During the first two years you will usually be placed in one of health boards linked with the programme. Trainees typically have the opportunity to specialise in the third year and may carry out placements anywhere in South Wales and on occasion in other regions or countries.

The programme was founded in 1975; it is well-established and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It also has additional accreditations at level one from the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP) and foundation level accreditation from the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT).

Programme aims

The programme is intended for graduates with a degree in Psychology (or equivalent) and who are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society. Successful completion of the programme confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and Chartered Clinical Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society.

Distinctive features

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Approved by Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Foundation level approval from the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
• Level one accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)