Pathways to Psychology, a journey with many possibilities at your fingertips

Hi everyone and welcome to the next edition of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Jamie Smokler, Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Jamie highlights the importance of growth and development throughout his training, and how conversations with athletes, away from the podium, were making necessary change possible. We hope you find Jamie's journey inspirational food for thought.  Success Beyond the Scoreboard: Reflections as a Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist    Jamie Smokler – Trainee Sport           and Exercise Psychologist       DPsych Sport and Exercise                Psychology at Glasgow                     Caledonian University When most people think about success in sport, they often think about winning. Medals, trophies, rankings, contracts, personal bests – these are the things we tend ...

Hello everyone and welcome to the next edition of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Louis Ross, HCPC Registered Sport Psychologist. Louis reflects on the complexity in this burgeoning field of Psychology and how he had found his way to success. He also shares excellent ideas to start up and thrive as a Practitioner. Happy reading!                  Louis Ross             HCPC Registered Sport                         Psychologist “Make sure that you love it” is what I remember vividly from my MSc, “because it’s a long road”… and the course lecturers that reminded us of that several times weren’t wrong! My journey was a little different due to a BSc in the states + an Open University conversion course, but however you choose to pursue your accreditation just know it certainly is a long and demanding route. I’ll keep it sho...

Hi everyone and welcome to the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Pavla Visnievska, Msc Health Psychology student at Liverpool John Moores University. Pavla shares pivotal moments which slowly revealed the way forward. Her commitment and openmindedness to learn shine through. Happy reading!                Pavla Visnievska    Msc Health Psychology student My interest in psychology didn’t begin in a classroom. It started much earlier, shaped quietly by personal experiences that pushed me to question and reflect on human behaviour. When situations or relationships didn’t make sense, I found myself observing more closely, trying to understand what sat beneath the surface. Over time, the instinct to ‘figure people out’ grew into a deeper curiosity about how we think, cope, and relate to one another. For a long time, it felt like there was only one ‘right’ path after school – go to university, get a degree, and everyth...

Hi everyone and welcome to the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Dr Emma Waite, VTCT Foundation Research Fellow, Health Psychologist. Emma has found her niche in Health Psychology but talks of a road that wasn't immediately clear but one which offered endless possibilities.              Dr Emma Waite, VTCT               Foundation Research Fellow,                  Health Psychologist       Embracing the journey into                     Health Psychology It wasn’t always my plan to become a Health Psychologist, and certainly not to do a doctorate. My journey into Health Psychology hasn’t been entirely linear, nor what I’m sure some would call particularly strategic or well-planned. Instead, it happened somewhat slowly and unexpectedly. I wanted to write about my experien...

Hello everyone We have the pleasure of a second blog post today! Ashley Brown, Trainee Counselling Psychologist, is paving a way through reflection, connection, and speaking up for Black women, mental health, and stigma-an area which deserves much more attention and support. What an inspiring read!   "Finding My Place in Counselling       Psychology: An International   Journey to the Doctorate” -                              Ashley Brown,  Trainee Counselling Psychologist My journey toward training as a Counselling Psychologist didn’t begin in a classroom; it began at home. When I was a child, my parents became foster carers. Growing up in a fostering household meant I was exposed early to the realities of trauma, instability, resilience, and emotional complexity. I saw how differently children responded to hardship and how behaviour often held a deeper story un...

Hello everyone  Welcome to the next installment of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Dr. Angelina Archer CPsychol AFBPsS, Counselling Psychologist. Angelina never imagined a career in the psychology field, but her focus to understand and support people paved the way. Here she reflects on the pathway she followed, where reflection and humility shine through.      Dr. Angelina Archer CPsychol AFBPsS, Counselling Psychologist From Medical Secretary to Counselling Psychologist: Lessons Learned by Jumping in the Deep End When I finished my Counselling Psychology doctoral training, I found myself thinking about something a medical secretarial colleague had said right at the beginning, just after I received an acceptance letter from my university: “You’re jumping in the deep end. Are you sure you haven’t lost your marbles?” At the time, I laughed. Many people had questioned whether I was “punching above my weight” by moving from a long career a...