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Behind the scenes and Marianne's reflections on what it's really like growing up in care. ⚠️ 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

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore what it really means to be care experienced and how early experiences of foster care and the care system can shape identity, relationships, and career journeys into clinical psychology.I’m joined by Jacob Maspero Bottaio, one of the youngest trainee clinical psychologists in the UK, who shares his experience of entering the care system at a young age, moving between foster placements, experiencing a failed adoption, and navigating the emotional and systemic barriers on the path to clinical psychology training.Together, we discuss care experience, hyper-independence, attachment, supervision dynamics, readiness for training, and what compassionate inclusion in psychology genuinely looks like. This is a thoughtful, emotionally rich conversation about resilience, systems, safety, and what it takes to feel able to lean on others after a lifetime of survival.This episode is especially relevant for aspiring psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, supervisors, and anyone interested in widening access to clinical psychology with compassion rather than tokenism.Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Jacob’s early life in the care system and why his story matters01:50 – Defining “care experienced” and why it’s broader than people think03:26 – Why care experience can make psychology careers harder to access05:29 – Disclosure, stigma, and fear of how lived experience will be received07:26 – Financial and systemic barriers before training even begins10:53 – Hyper-independence, driving, and needing control over your future15:06 – Growing up fast and being “older than your years”18:27 – Forever people, attachment, and learning to exhale22:59 – Safety, the amygdala, and relearning trust27:15 – Adoption, systems, and not being asked what you want32:35 – Supervision styles, boundaries, and relational triggers39:46 – Readiness for training and compassion toward yourself47:35 – Repair, relationships, and what Jacob hopes for others Links: 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand...

Behind the scenes and Marianne's reflections on what it's really like being a qualified Clinical Psychologist and looking for a job. ⚠️ DisclaimerThis 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 podcast? Like, comment, and share about it on your socials. © Dr Marianne Trent

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of life after qualifying as a clinical psychologist. I’m joined by trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Wellmillage, and together we discuss job uncertainty, unemployment after qualification, fixed-term contracts, stigma, and the emotional impact of moving from trainee security into an unpredictable job market. I share my own experience of signing on after qualifying, and we explore NHS versus private practice, moral injury, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to appear successful. This episode is essential listening for trainee and newly qualified clinical psychologists, and for anyone wanting an honest, compassionate insight into post-DClinPsy life. Timestamps 00:00 – The myth that qualification guarantees a job01:41 – The bittersweet reality of finishing training03:18 – Being unemployed and signing on after qualifying04:42 – Stigma, shame, and fear around not having work05:31 – Fixed-term contracts and the shock of losing security06:14 – Course expansion, funding, and job availability07:23 – The false promise of the training “ladder”08:06 – Competing roles and widening applicant pools09:09 – Part-time posts and juggling multiple jobs10:25 – Private practice as necessity, not choice11:38 – Anxiety about going independent too soon12:10 – First qualified posts and clinical responsibility14:09 – Why support matters after qualification21:03 – Reclaiming identity, interests, and values post-training Links: 📲 Connect with Taniya Wellmillage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/ 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: a href="https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the realities of clinical psychology training beyond getting onto the course. I’m joined by final-year trainee clinical psychologist Taniya Welmillage, and together we discuss placements, supervision, competency pressure, imposter syndrome, wellbeing, leadership, and how life continues alongside training. We explore constant moving, team cultures, long commutes, therapy for trainees, and how trainees decide what is non-negotiable for their mental health. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, and anyone wanting a realistic, compassionate insight into training. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why getting onto training isn’t the whole story01:25 – Constant change, placements, and adjustment fatigue03:16 – Being called “the trainee” vs being seen as a person04:39 – Team cultures, safety, and belonging06:14 – Buildings, resources, and how environments shape experience08:53 – Juggling competencies, learning, and performance pressure10:05 – Authenticity vs ticking boxes on placement11:46 – Relocation, commuting, and the hidden toll of training14:10 – Flexi working, boundaries, and protecting wellbeing15:52 – The importance of trainee friendships and support18:33 – Life milestones during training20:51 – Reducing the “shoulds” and living your life alongside training26:38 – Therapy for trainees: is it useful and accessible?31:07 – Absorbing what’s useful and becoming your own psychologist Links: 📲 Connect with Taniya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniya-w-8a010a169/ 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: a...

Behind the scenes and Marianne's reflections on what it's really like being a Trainee Clinical Psychologist. ⚠️ 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. © Dr Marianne Trent

Behind the scenes and Marianne's reflections on LinkedIn and Networking with Shiriin Yazdian. 💡 Want to support the channel? Like, comment, and share this video! © Dr Marianne Trent

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why LinkedIn matters for psychologists, even if social media feels uncomfortable or intimidating. I’m joined by Shirin Yazdian, and together we discuss visibility, authenticity, neurodiversity, advocacy, and the fear of getting things wrong online. We explore how LinkedIn can support aspiring and early-career psychologists through networking, learning, conferences, volunteering, Master’s applications, and professional development, while also addressing boundaries, professionalism, and digital footprints. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, psychology students, early-career clinicians, and anyone curious about using LinkedIn in a way that feels safe, ethical, and genuinely human. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why many psychologists avoid LinkedIn and why that might be a mistake01:05 – Early assumptions about LinkedIn and what changed01:42 – Humanising LinkedIn: being yourself first, professional second03:28 – Getting past the “cringe” of first posts and fear of visibility04:30 – Why LinkedIn can feel safer than other social platforms05:59 – Turning online connections into real-world opportunities08:17 – Providing value through curiosity, comments, and sharing resources09:14 – Finding courses, talks, and opportunities via LinkedIn11:19 – TEDx opportunities, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt13:38 – Practical tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile15:26 – Advocacy, values, and building a personal brand17:14 – Neurodiversity, authenticity, and choosing aligned workplaces21:44 – Being a person first, psychologist second26:50 – Final reflections and encouragement to engage Links: 📲 Connect with Shirin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirin-yazdian-neurodivergent-speaker/ 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore the psychology of raising boys in today’s cultural climate. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss masculinity, misogyny, adolescence, identity, belonging, and emotional development. We explore why polarising narratives about manhood can feel so compelling, how fear and shame shape behaviour, and what parents, clinicians, and educators can do to support boys to grow into emotionally strong, compassionate men. We discuss attachment, aggression, peer influence, incel culture, parenting, sport, curiosity in therapy, and how to respond to challenging views without judgement. This episode is relevant for aspiring and qualified psychologists, parents, educators, and anyone interested in mental health, masculinity, and developmental psychology. Links: 📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/ Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/ 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision 📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent 💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved: If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/podcast and click the blue request info button at the top of the page. Hashtags: #raisingboys #masculinityandmentalhealth #aspiringpsychologist

Thanks for being a member of my YouTube Community. This is my second ever subscriber audio and I'd love to know what you think! ⚠️ 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. © Dr Marianne Trent

Thanks for being a member of my Community. I'd love to know what you think! ⚠️ 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. © Dr Marianne Trent

Thanks for being a member of my Community. I'd love to know what you think! ⚠️ 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. © Dr Marianne Trent

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why modern life feels so overwhelming through the lens of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss how our brains are still wired for survival in an ancient world, not the constant demands, uncertainty, and stimulation of modern society. We explore anxiety, negativity bias, rumination, avoidance, the impact of technology and news, lessons from the pandemic, parenting conversations about death, and how understanding our “ancient brain” can reduce shame and increase compassion. This episode is ideal for aspiring and qualified psychologists, therapists, and anyone interested in mental health, wellbeing, and why distress is a deeply human response rather than a personal failure. Timestamps 00:00 – Why our brains are ancient and modern life feels so hard01:08 – We discuss why understanding our evolutionary wiring really matters02:10 – Ancient survival drives and why they clash with modern expectations03:05 – Avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, and why that blocks the life we want05:29 – Maslow, privilege, and how self-actualisation is a modern luxury06:52 – Why our neurobiology hasn’t caught up with modern society08:03 – Negativity bias and why our brains are wired to spot danger first09:56 – Rumination, worry, and the exhaustion of a threat-focused mind12:02 – Loss, mortality, and how ancient humans related differently to suffering13:36 – News, technology, and constant activation of our threat systems16:11 – The pandemic as a leveller between clinicians and the people we serve19:42 – Functional contextualism and why behaviour makes sense in context21:22 – Nature-based practice and meeting clients as humans, not hierarchies23:18 – Legacy, meaning, parenting, and what we want to leave behind27:03 – Shame, compassion, and understanding survival strategies in mental health29:51 – Self-awareness, skills, and what really helps people live well Links: 📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/ Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/ 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: a href="https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore how travelling can genuinely make you a better psychologist by building empathy, perspective, flexibility and emotional intelligence in ways that classrooms cannot. I speak with Ben, an aspiring psychologist currently travelling in Chile, about backpacking across Canada and South America, using Workaway to combine voluntary work with travel, and taking on a remote research role while on the road. We discuss letting go of rigid timelines to qualification, managing internal pressure, funding trips on a shoestring, the role of privilege and safety nets, and how uncomfortable journeys can become powerful stories and sources of resilience. I also share my own experiences of extended travel after my undergraduate degree, shorter UK breaks during clinical training, and how nature, awe and time away from traditional routes can support aspiring and qualified psychologists to live in line with their values and return to their careers more grounded and reflective. Highlights 00:00 – Why travelling can shape you as a psychologist as much as formal training00:51 – I introduce Ben, an aspiring psychologist currently travelling in Chile01:34 – We discuss releasing the pressure to qualify quickly and follow rigid timelines02:31 – Ben on career expectations, presence and learning to slow down05:27 – Finding relevant psychology experience while travelling, including Workaway08:02 – My own six-month trip around the world and how I funded it10:35 – Coming home with £20 and jumping straight into work and training13:02 – Standout travel memories and how uncomfortable journeys build resilience17:19 – Sleeper trains, ferries and why challenging travel experiences matter18:13 – Travel doesn’t need to be expensive or international to be meaningful22:00 – We reflect on privilege, safety nets and the ability to take time out24:18 – How family support, grief and life experiences shape perspective26:01 – Travel as exposure therapy and confidence building29:20 – Nature, awe and using time away to support mental health33:22 – Leaving space for uncertainty and choosing your own career timeline Links: 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision 📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: a href="https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this episode, I speak with trainee clinical psychologist Skie Hewitt about the reality of training and working in psychology while registered blind. We discuss stigma at interview, navigating inaccessible systems, working with a guide dog, using technology to adapt practice, identity-first language, the emotional labour of disability, and what supervisors and services need to know to genuinely support visually impaired trainees. Skie shares practical strategies, personal reflections and hopeful encouragement for disabled aspiring psychologists, alongside essential insights for anyone committed to building an inclusive profession. This episode is ideal for aspiring psychologists, educators, supervisors and anyone interested in accessibility, disability and clinical training. Highlights 00:00 – Opening reflections on inclusion and the reality of inaccessible systems01:20 – Introducing Skie: her route from A Levels to two master’s degrees and AP roles02:34 – Discovering the Snowden Trust and how their scholarship opened doors03:20 – Talking impostor syndrome, resilience and the impact of adversity04:26 – Understanding Skie’s visual impairment and what “registered blind” actually means05:58 – Why this episode aims to empower both disabled and non-disabled listeners06:35 – The stigma Skie faced at interview and why it was illegal08:54 – Choosing a workplace based on how people made her feel, not just the offer09:36 – Where guide dogs can and cannot go and why misconceptions persist10:48 – Access refusals in taxis, Airbnbs and public spaces, and the emotional toll11:53 – How Derek, Skie’s guide dog, can be an asset and an icebreaker in therapy12:33 – How Skie discusses her dog and visual impairment with clients14:44 – Identity-first vs person-first language and why it varies15:44 – The social model of disability and why systems are often the barrier17:22 – The practical tools that support Skie at work: magnification, voiceover, contrast18:40 – The constant problem-solving required just to get through a day19:06 – How supervision and open communication create real accessibility20:25 – How Skie takes notes in assessment sessions and adapts traditional processes21:37 – Recording sessions as a tool for accessibility and learning22:32 – Braille, literacy and why many visually impaired people don’t rely on it24:00 – Technology that transforms independence, including Meta AI glasses25:00 – The braille smartwatch and why subtle timekeeping matters in therapy26:44 – Universal design vs specialist devices28:17 – Audible, audiobooks and the power of accessible learning29:14 – Managing eye health, hospital appointments and disability-related leave31:19 – Caring for Derek on placement and setting him up with his own workspace31:42 – What glaucoma is and how it affects vision32:35 – The challenges Skie’s mum faced raising a blind baby33:14 – Childhood independence, confidence and proving professionals wrong34:46 – Hobbies, travel and aerial fitness as a potential new adventure35:36 – Why disabled voices strengthen the profession — and why the work is still hard36:59 – Final reflections on making psychology inclusive and empowering future trainees38:25 – Your post-session reflection about accidentally saying “lovely to see you”39:31 – Subscriber-only content and how listeners can support the podcast40:40 – Information about the Snowden Trust for disabled students Links: The Snowdon Trust - investing in disabled students: a href="https://www.snowdontrust.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"...