Staying true to yourself- Grace's journey to becoming a Principal Forensic Psychologist

 Hi everyone and welcome to the next instalment of the Pathways to Psychology blog. We invite trainees and registered practitioner colleagues to write about their experiences, to inspire and support the next generation of colleagues contemplating a career in the Psychology field. Todat we hear from Dr Grace  Trundle, Principal Forensic Psychologist. Grace suggests her journey was uneventful and straightforward, but when you read the blog you will see the authenticity and effort shining through, propelling her to the successful career she has built. 

Dr Grace Trundle

Principal Forensic Psychologist

Staying true to yourself 

When I was thinking about what I could share with aspiring psychologists for this blog, I realised my pathway is not something particularly moving or inspiring. If anything, it’s about as straight forward of a route as you could take: a degree with placement year, doctorate, then into working life.

I did a Psychology BSc at Aston University with my unwaveringly supportive mum saying, “make sure it’s BPS accredited” and “do a placement year”. So that’s what I did and by chance secured a placement as an Assistant Forensic Psychologist for my sandwich / placement year. They supported me to publish research, take on new roles and responsibilities, and then kept me on part-time while I finished my degree. All valuable additions that would set me up for my postgraduate path into my doctorate.

I hadn’t realised how little information had been shared with my undergraduate cohort about the next steps. Fortunately, I learnt about the routes to qualifying as a psychologist from my placement supervisors rather than as part of the curriculum. My then supervisor encouraged me to apply for the Forensic Doctorate and see what happens. With the experience I had from the placement year and the published research, I secured myself a place. I completed the 3-year Forensic Psychology Doctorate at the University of Nottingham and popped out the other side as Dr Grace. 

My first piece of advice to aspiring psychologists is exactly what my mother told me:

• Make sure the (Undergrad & Masters) course you do is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). If the course is not accredited, you will likely have to do an additional conversion course.
• Find an undergraduate degree with a sandwich / placement year to get experience before you graduate. 
• Post-undergrad, some additional pieces of advice from my own experiences are:
• Get experience with the people you want to work with, in any capacity. If you want to work in mental health, look at Healthcare Assistant or Support Worker roles. If you’re interested in Forensics, look for roles in forensic settings like volunteering as an Appropriate Adult or with Victim Support. This will help you get a sense of what you want your career / role to look like through real-world experiences. I always thought I wanted to work in the prison service, but after a long stint in inpatient services, found forensic mental health to be my patch. 
• Look at the Core Competencies of being a psychologist. Reflect on where your passion fits within this and use this to drive you forward to the type of roles you want. 

There were immense challenges that I faced along the way to qualifying but it was a fairly straight path. I’ve often chalked it up to “right place, right time” (plus blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice. You get the picture). Now, looking back, I think that what helped me reach this point was staying true to myself and who I am. Of course, I have also experienced various privileges, had amazing supervisors, and worked incredibly hard (as all of us do in this field). But coming into the world of Forensic Psychology, I of course fancied myself to be a Jennifer Jareau or Spencer Reid. There are plenty of media-influenced pictures of what a Forensic Psychologist is like: calm, cool, and clever. I pictured myself as a well-dressed professional who was unruffled and unreadable, who could give well-informed and clever (usually witty) answers to questions straight away. A psychologist who was strong, brave, and somehow knew everything about everything. 

Throughout the course of my career, I tried to make myself fit this (imaginary) mould. I have tried to be quieter; to dress a certain way or have a specific style; to be more detached, mysterious, and cool. To be many things I made up in my head that a Forensic Psychologist should be. It never lasted more than 5 minutes. To me, this means it is who I am inherently that was part of what brought me here. I am warm and relaxed, unflappable at times but more like a swan who is frantically paddling under the water, and certainly not unreadable. I can’t answer important questions quickly - I need time to process and ponder. I don’t have a Dr Grace persona - I am just Grace all the time. 

Sticking to being just the way I am means I have better relationships with patients; my colleagues find me to be authentic and reliable; and I am happy to admit when I need more time or when I am wrong.

Many years ago, a supervisor told me that I would never get onto (clinical / forensic) training because I couldn’t be melded to fit the psychologist box (whatever that means). Well, good. I am a better psychologist being authentically me. I know some of you won’t have the same luxury and might feel you have to conform or mask in some way. But please, hold on to who you are and what makes you, You, no matter the path you take. The patients and public that we serve need individual, unique psychologists who can bring new ideas and perspectives. Psychologists who can connect with others on a genuine level. Psychologists who are fallible and introspective. The passion that drives you will be the passion that leads you.

Thank you Grace for the real life experience and advice, it is invaluable! 

Perhaps reading about Grace reminded you of your own experiences as a trainee or registered practitioner colleague. Please get in touch to add your own blog entry. 

Kind regards,

The Pathways Team.