Becoming a mental health professional: two autoethnographic accounts of the clinical psychology journey

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the arduous journey of becoming a clinical psychologist. Design/methodology/approach The two authors provide autoethnographic accounts of their respective journeys to become clinical psychologists. Findings A year after graduation, neither author had succeeded in their goal. They talk about the danger of getting stuck in “the doctoral rut”, where the ambition of becoming a clinical psychologist can take over the applicant’s life to the exclusion of other career options. Research limitations/implications This is of course only the story of two clinical psychology applicants, yet it will resonate with the thousands of people who apply for clinical psychology training each year. Of the five mental health professions, there are more people wanting to become clinical psychologists. This represents a reservoir of talent wanting to enter the field of mental health. Practical implications There needs to be other pathways for psychology graduates who want to work in the mental health field than just clinical psychology but which offer attractive career pathways. Social implications Given the stigma attached to people with mental health problems, it is interesting that so many psychologists want to work in this field. Originality/value This paper highlights the commitment that many young psychologists have towards working in mental health services. While it reports on the stories of just two individuals, these accounts are typical of many clinical psychology applicants.