On the precipice of becoming a trainee Counselling Psychologist- Mary's story

 Hello everyone

Welcome to the next instalment of the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from someone with big news! Mary Akioyame recently received a letter confirming her place on the Counselling Psychology Doctorate at City, University of London. Many congratulations Mary and how wonderful to read about your reflections as you are about to embark on a lifechanging experience. 

Mary Akioyame

Instagram: _mary.psych

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mary-akioyame-876ab2178

Website: https://www.maryakioyame.co.uk/

Pathway to Practitioner Psychologist (Counselling Psychology Edition)

It’s been a few weeks since I received my acceptance letter for the Counselling Psychology Doctorate at City, University of London. It still feels surreal that I’ll be starting this September. Honestly, I cannot wait! Now, I know exactly why I chose to become a Counselling Psychologist, but I thought I’d write a blog about my journey to this point.

The Origin Story

It all started back in college. I fell in love with A-Level Psychology and was obsessed with Criminal Minds (P.S. I still am). The idea of analysing behaviour, understanding how thoughts and past experiences shape our actions — I was hooked.

Believe it or not, my original plan was to become a Forensic Psychologist. That dream pushed me towards a Psychology undergraduate degree. By the time I completed it, I was convinced I’d pursue a Clinical Psychology Doctorate — because, let’s be honest, that’s all anyone on my course ever talked about. But then life (as it tends to do) gave me some perspective.

Through both personal experiences and professional roles, my understanding of what it means to be a Clinical Psychologist began to shift.

I also discovered other Doctorates — Counselling, Educational, Health Psychology, and more. Landing a job as a CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) therapist in a team filled with a wide range of psychological professionals was a game-changer. To be fully honest, before that role, I’d only ever worked with Clinical and Counselling Psychologists. I’d never even heard of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists or systemic therapists, let alone worked with them.

Why Counselling Psychology?

There were two pivotal experiences in my life that pushed me towards Counselling Psychology.

1. My personal mental health journey:

Therapy taught me just how much is expected of clients and how power dynamics play out from the client’s perspective. It enhanced my self-awareness, guided my introspection, and strengthened my ability to empathise with clients in session. This experience also sparked my passion for supporting people struggling with their mental health and emotional challenges.

A crucial part of my recovery involved practising self-compassion and aligning with my authentic self and values. It wasn’t until I attended City’s counselling skills workshop that I recognised how closely this aligned with Carl Rogers’ concepts of unconditional positive regard and self-actualisation. This deepened my appreciation for the importance of addressing fundamental needs before striving for self-fulfilment. It strengthened my commitment to holistic, client-centred care and solidified my interest in the therapeutic relationship as a core element of healing.

2. My clinical experience:

This has really shaped why I want to become a Counselling Psychologist. I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Humanistic approaches and the therapeutic alliance, as well as for the subjectivity of people's experiences. I believe we must tailor and adapt scientific, evidence-based practice using Humanistic and Pluralistic approaches to truly support our clients. I feel the best therapeutic outcomes come from blending all the above, and I want training that reflects and supports this.

Hopes for Training

One of my biggest hopes for training is to work interactively — blending different models to tailor support to clients’ individual needs. I want to enhance my ability to understand psychological theories and apply them directly in practice. In the future, I’d love to explore non-Western psychological principles and incorporate them alongside Western approaches to maximise holistic care.

I want to deepen both my reflexivity and reflectivity (yes, there’s a difference!) and use these tools for both personal- and professional development. I’m particularly excited to learn about Carl Rogers’ approach and how to facilitate it in practice. I absolutely adore this model and cannot wait to explore it further.

Another key hope for my training is to advocate for systemic changes in clinical practice, especially around improving accessibility for the communities we serve. I want to be trained in a way that equips me to offer culturally sensitive spaces for people to explore their identities, experiences, and needs.

Worries for the Doctorate

One of my biggest worries is the workload. It’s going to be intense, and balancing university assignments with placement responsibilities will be a challenge. I’m hoping to get my DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) in place to access extra support, and I’m grateful to have a strong support network and personal therapy to manage any emotional stress.

Another concern is finding placements. Having to source my own placements feels quite daunting. It’s going to be difficult to find services that meet the course requirements. I know this will be a major hurdle, but with the support of the university and my growing list of potential placement sites, I’m hopeful I’ll secure some solid options.

This journey hasn’t been linear, but every twist and turn has brought me closer to where I’m meant to be. Starting this Doctorate feels like stepping into alignment with my purpose  and while I know it’ll come with its challenges, I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead. Here’s to growth, learning, and becoming the kind of Psychologist I needed during my own healing.

If you’re on a similar path or just curious about Counselling Psychology, I hope this gave you a glimpse into the “why” behind the journey. Feel free to connect with me on my socials if you want to follow the journey, ask questions, or just have a chat about all things Psychology and mental health! Thanks for reading 💫

Thank you so much Mary for writing about your passion- Counselling Psychology. Your excitement is contagious and we wish you all the best as you embark on your journey as a trainee. I have a sense your reflective stance will enable you to navigate any challenging moments and you will reap the rewards of all your hard work. 

Maybe Mary's experiences have highlighted a dream of your own, perhaps you are a trainee- or qualified Practitioner Psychologist, PWP (psychological wellbeing practitioner), CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) practitioner, Psychotherapist, or Counsellor, who would like to share your experiences. We recognise how overwhelming it can be to consider all the Psychology options out there. The blog is there to inspire aspirant Psychologists, to show real people making real decisions, and most importantly making a real difference to the lives of the people they work with. Get in touch if you want to add your own entry. 

Kind regards,

The Pathways team.