DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY at Canterbury Christ Church University

Why Doctorate in Clinical Psychology?

Studying Clinical Psychology opens the door to a career which is infinitely varied, enabling you to undertake clinical work with a broad range of people experiencing a very diverse range of mental health difficulties. Clinical Psychologists not only seek to alleviate mental distress; they also work actively to promote psychological health and wellbeing.

In addition to direct clinical work with people, you are also likely to be able to undertake service­related research, and provide consultation and supervision to other mental health professionals, teams and services.

Our Clinical Psychology doctorate integrates clinical, academic and research practice to achieve the highest quality of professional training. We offer one of the largest and longest established Clinical Psychology training programmes in the UK, and have a national reputation for excellence and innovative practice.

Our programme team is made up of senior Clinical Psychologists who bring a wealth of experience in clinical practice, and draw upon a broad range of different therapeutic modalities, to inform their teaching and research interests.

What will i study?

The training programme is made up of four interconnecting components: the academic and research programmes, clinical placements, and the assessment process. These four components are organised so that each complements and informs the others, enabling you to integrate your learning across theory, research and practice in order to develop the key competencies pertinent to each year of training. Underpinning all of these components is a commitment to the support of your personal and professional development, and to promoting diversity and equal opportunities throughout all aspects of the programme.

• Year one of the programme is dedicated to teaching and practice relating to adult mental health.
• Year two specializes in work with children, adolescents and their families and carers, and people with learning disabilities.
• Year three focuses on teaching and practice with older people and additional specialist competencies.

What can i do next?

Upon successfully completing our three-year full­-time doctorate, you will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a fully qualified Clinical Psychologist. This enables you to work in the NHS or other mental health services, undertaking clinical practice with a wide range of people experiencing diverse mental health difficulties. Clinical Psychologists work with children, adolescents and their families and carers, adults, older people, those with physical and learning disabilities, amongst a wide range of other specialties. Undertaking research, and supervision of and consultation to, other mental health professionals, teams and services are also key components of the job.

The doctoral training you undertake with us will prepare you with the skills to undertake all the many and varied facets of this diverse and interesting career.