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

Hi everyone and welcome to the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Saira Mahmood, Trainee Counselling Psychologist. Saira reflects on her experiences related to belonging and learning to make space for strong emotions. Her strength in reflection seems to carry Saira to making meaning not only of her own context, but crucially that of her clients. Happy reading!                Saira Mahmood Trainee Counselling Psychologist Someone once asked me what motivates me. This question encouraged me to reflect on why I chose to pursue Psychology at 18, and what has kept me in the helping profession over the past decade. My journey towards Psychology was not necessarily a straightforward one. I was not always someone who felt academically confident or who had a clear sense of direction, and during my A-level Psychology studies I found the subject challenging and was encouraged by teachers to consider whether it was the right pathway f...

Hi everyone and welcome to the next instalment of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Tilda Salanki, Director and Counselling & Educational Psychologist. Tilda reminds us of noticing what is here with us. Sometimes our skills and qualities shine their brightest without us even realising. Happy reading!                   Tilda Salanki                       Director        Educational & Counselling                          Psychologist  My Diplomas Sat in a Drawer, but             Psychology Never Did If you had asked me ten years ago where life would take me, becoming both an Educational Psychologist and a Counselling Psychologist in the UK would never have crossed my mind. In fact, I never planned to become a psychologist at all. ...

Hi everyone and welcome to another chapter of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Fabbiha Tarafdar, trainee Counselling Psychologist. Fabbiha talks of the lack of equity and representation, often finding others had constructed an understanding of her in an ill-informed way, by racialising and limiting her potential. Despite these misgivings Fabbiha is succeeding. She has found her strength in being congruent, being compassionate, and being determined to walk her own path. Happy reading!         Becoming Dr Fabbiha: The             Psychologist I Needed to See Hi! I'm Fabbiha, a final-year trainee Counselling Psychologist. I wanted to share a little about who I am so that you can get a sense of the experiences that have shaped my journey. In doing so, I hope to inspire those considering a career in psychology and reassure you that there is no one way of being and relating to as a psychologist. I am 30 year...

Hi everyone and welcome to another inspiring blog post. Today we hear from Kate Hicks, Existential Psychotherapist, Counselling Psychologist in training, and Psychology lecturer.  Kate talks of the trials and tribulations of pursuing a new career during midlife, but she has found her home in psychotherapy and psychology. Happy reading!                      Kate Hicks     Existential Psychotherapist     Counselling Psychologist in                        training            Psychology lecturer Midlife Reassessment of Goals:           Finding a Path to Meaning Through Counselling Psychology The lotus flower is often associated with growth emerging from difficult conditions. I don’t think personal or professional change is ever quite as pretty as that metaphor suggests, but looking ...

Hi everyone and welcome to the next instalment of the Pathways to psychology blog. Today we hear from Dr Natalie Gil, Research Fellow in Health inequalities. Natalie shares a pathway which was a little different from others, but ultimately it suited her needs and contributed to the excellent clinician and researcher she was today.       Dr Natalie Gil, PhD, MSc, BSc                             (Hons) Taking the Long Way Round: Becoming a Research-Practitioner in Health Psychology For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to understand why people think, feel and behave as they do, but I also wanted to apply that understanding in ways that could improve people's lives. I have always been fascinated by the idea that psychology could both generate knowledge and create change. When I started my psychology degree, I already knew what I wanted to be. Not a researcher, not a practitioner, bu...

Hi everyone and welcome to the Pathways to Psychology blog. This time we hear from James Fellows, Trainee Counselling Psychologist and Integrative Psychotherapist– Third year doctoral trainee at Metanoia Institute. James' journey is one of reflection, growth, and commitment. He has experienced some disappointments along the way, but had since found his calling and was flourishing. Happy reading!                    James Fellows Trainee Counselling Psychologist   and Integrative Psychotherapist                   Balancing Act  So I’m sitting down to write this blog post, urging myself to find the time amongst working within the NHS, seeing clients for therapy on placement, writing university assignments, completing research interviews, juggling social connections with friends and family, being in the process of moving house, trying to be present for my girlfriend, and...