Turning adversity into an asset- and Educational Psychologist's story.

 HI everyone

Wecome to this edition of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we learn from Dr Hayley Lugassy, Educational Psychologist. Hayley walked a path with many twists and turns, one which had not been easy, but one which inspired her to carve out a career in Educational Psychology. We hope you will find reading about Hayley inspiring and encouraging as you embark on your own Psychology path.

Dr Hayley Lugassy and her husband- her biggest supporter

Journey to Becoming an Educational Psychologist

A Move to Spain: New Beginnings and Unexpected Hardships

Although I was British-born and bred, with a childhood dream of becoming an author and songwriter, my mother decided to move us to Spain when I was 10. My brothers were over 18 and living independently, and I had no contact with my father. So, my mother and I embarked on a new adventure to the region of Murcia, Spain. Initially excited, I said goodbye to my Year 5 classmates and family members in Worcester, where I had lived my whole life until then.

However, the excitement quickly faded as the realities of living in a foreign country set in. At my new primary school, I faced severe bullying. Children not only mocked me but also threw stones and told me to go back to where I came from. I learned Spanish fairly quickly and could understand and speak it well within six months, but I avoided speaking it in front of others out of fear of ridicule. Outside school, things grew difficult as the financial recession took hold. We fell into poverty, often struggling to buy food, which led to a vicious cycle of adversity: poverty, parental alcohol misuse, neglect, school non-attendance, exposure to drugs and alcohol, and sexual assault. I began skipping school, seeking escape at house parties, drinking and smoking to numb my pain, and longing for someone who could save me from my inner turmoil. My childhood dream of writing seemed far out of reach.

During that time, I don’t recall much support being available, and I doubt social services or other agencies were aware that I was essentially a child persistently missing from education. Nobody seemed to notice, and I believed no one cared. That changed when, one day at school, I was offered an encounter with the school Psychologist. She noticed my emotional reactions to teachers—often rude, defiant, and verbally aggressive—and offered to see me. Although our first session was mostly awkward silence, she explained her role and assured me she was there to support me however I needed. Without judgement or pressure, she provided an emotionally safe space where I eventually opened up about my experiences since moving to Spain. I never saw her again, but before I left, she told me she saw something special in me, suggesting I could one day become a Psychologist and help children. I laughed and insisted I was going to be a writer.

Teenage Motherhood and a Return to England

Life grew even more challenging when I entered an abusive relationship and fell pregnant at 14. I had repeated Year 7 due to not meeting the expected levels (typical in the Spanish school system) and fell pregnant mid-way through Year 8. When I fell pregnant, I stopped attending school altogether. My son was born just after my 15th birthday, and I was living with a partner who controlled every aspect of my life. At 17, a particular incident gave me the courage to escape with my son and seek refuge with my mother. We returned to England in February 2011. Those three years were the most difficult of my life.

Starting Over: Rediscovering My Dream

Back in England, I was determined to give my son a better life. The school Psychologist’s words echoed in my mind, and I realised I wanted to help children who, like me, faced immense struggles. I decided I wanted to become an Educational Psychologist, the closest profession to school Psychology.

At a local careers day, I shared my ambition. Approaching 18, a single mother with no qualifications, and mentally struggling after leaving an abusive relationship, I was advised by a careers advisor to consider hairdressing instead, as Psychology was a competitive field requiring years of dedication. Initially discouraged, my resolve quickly turned to determination. I enrolled in a year-long, five-GCSE course, working hard to gain qualifications. Writing about my experiences reignited my passion for learning and helping others.

A New Direction: Psychology Studies

Over the following years, my life took a positive turn. I met my husband, who encouraged me to pursue my dreams, believing in me even more than I believed in myself. In 2014, I enrolled in an undergraduate Psychology degree with The Open University, as they were the only institution that would consider me without A-levels. Despite worries about balancing study fees, family responsibilities, and work, I felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity to study Psychology. The four years were challenging yet fulfilling, offering insights into my own trauma and helping me to heal. I graduated with a First-class honours degree in 2018, just weeks after the birth of my second child.

Pursuing the Path to Educational Psychology

During my final undergraduate year, I started planning my next steps. Working as a teaching assistant met the Doctorate’s experience requirement, and with encouragement from my husband, I applied for a scholarship for a Master’s degree. Initially hesitant, I was thrilled to receive a full scholarship for an MSc in Social Psychology at the University of East Anglia. Although balancing my studies with a young family was challenging, I completed the Master’s with an award for the top thesis.

The following year, I applied for the Doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University of East Anglia. Despite lacking contacts in the Educational Psychology field and formal experience as an assistant, my determination, commitment, and lived experiences as a child in need drove me. I was shocked when I was invited for an interview and later offered a place on the course—my dream was finally within reach.

Struggling to Belong and Defining My Own Path

From the start of the Doctorate, I felt as though I didn’t quite belong. My peers, though kind and welcoming, had more conventional backgrounds and hadn’t faced the same obstacles I had. I later realised that I probably envied the stability I imagined they’d had, which made it difficult for me to connect with them.

The first year was challenging in other ways too. Certain course content, especially sessions on sensitive topics like domestic abuse, triggered difficult emotions. I struggled to sit through these discussions without sharing my own experiences and felt frustrated that lived experiences weren’t always fully acknowledged in academic settings.

During placements, I often questioned the value of some processes, like Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), which at times seemed impersonal. I wondered whether I could make a real difference within the role’s constraints and often doubted if I was on the right path.

Finding Resilience and Purpose

With the support of my husband, academic tutors, and supervisors, I reframed my perspective. They helped me see that I could define my practice and make the role my own once I qualified. I also realised that my background gave me a unique perspective that could help me advocate for meaningful change.

By the final year, I was emotionally drained, but I pushed through and graduated. I chose to skip the ceremony, opting instead for a quiet celebration that allowed me to fully embrace the peace I had found. With this sense of calm and accomplishment, I felt ready to start fresh in my career.

Navigating the Professional World as an Educational Psychologist

Becoming an Educational Psychologist was a major achievement, but it brought unexpected challenges. Shifting from financial struggle to professional success, coupled with newfound inner peace, a supportive family, and a new social life, left me grappling with guilt about the struggles others still faced.

The traditional EP role, with its focus on assessments and reports, clashed with my values. I yearned to work directly with children and with the systems around them, but the system felt limiting. After 18 months in a Local Authority role, I sought a new path in a private organisation supporting independent special schools. Here, I realised that EPs could follow diverse pathways beyond the conventional Local Authority model. Ethical debates surrounding public versus private practices highlighted the need for transparency and support for EPs making such choices. Finding a work environment that aligns with our values is essential for both ethical practice and personal wellbeing.

Reflecting on My Journey and Looking to the Future

From a teenage mother facing overwhelming odds to Dr Hayley Lugassy, a qualified Psychologist, my journey has been one of resilience, determination, and the power of dreams. I am profoundly grateful to help children in need and do not take my role for granted.

Looking to the future, I envision myself lecturing on a Doctorate in Educational Psychology, sharing my experiences to empower future generations of psychologists. I dream of writing books, perhaps exploring the unique challenges young parents face or the power of resilience. I also hope to inspire young people as a speaker, igniting their dreams. One day, I hope to return to Spain to practise in Spanish, giving back to the place where my journey began.

The journey may be long and challenging, but it is filled with purpose and possibility. Be authentic, never give up on your dreams, and remember that you have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you Hayley for writing from the heart. Becoming a Psychologist is a challenging journey in and of itself, and having met adversity along the way your determination to succeed shines through. 

Maybe you have the same aspirations as Hayley but wonder about the possibilities due to barriers across your path. Psychology allows us to look within ourselves to draw strength as we support others in need. It is a career where lived experience informs and teaches us about ourselves and offers a necessary doorway to others who may struggle too.  

Maybe you have your own story to tell, and we invite any qualified or trainee Practitioner Psychologist, PWP, Psychotherapist and Counsellor to get in touch.

Kind regards,

The Pathways team.