University of DublinTrinity College

 Doctoral Programme

inClinical Psychology

(D. Clin. Psych.)

Why Choose TCD?Why Choose TCD?

• Integration of Academic/Clinical/Reflective practice

• Promotion of active involvement of trainee– Development of own interests

• Acceptance of different models• Partnership with HSE and others

Course StaffCourse StaffHead of School: Dr. Howard Smith

Course Director: Dr. Kevin Tierney

Lecturers: Dr. Charlotte WilsonDr. John O’Connor

 

Lecturer in Statistics & Methodology: Dr. David Hevey

Director of Clinical Coordination: Sinead Fitzgerald 

Clinical Co-ordinator: Mary Fell John Davenport

 

Course Administrator: Ann Matthews 

Course Secretary: Sheila McCormack

Course to-dateCourse to-date

• The course or its predecessors (the BPS Diploma course & the M.Sc in clinical psychology) have been in existence on a continuous basis since 1979.

• The course is responsible for the training of more than 30% of the clinical psychologists in Ireland who hold formal qualifications.

• Graduates of the course work throughout all of the health boards, the voluntary sector, the prison service, the education sector and university sector.

Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives • To train clinical psychologists who will possess

the following qualities: – A broad based approach– Ability to work with a wide range of client groups – High quality research skills & ability to apply them

to clinical practice.– Good understanding the context in which clinical

psychologists operate– Highly developed interpersonal skills – Effective communication skills – Ability to contribute to psychological knowledge– Effective ambassadors for the profession– Cultural sensitivity– Ethical approach to work

Course Structure

• The course comprises three major components: – Academic training – Research training – Clinical placements

• Students spend approximately 59% of course time on clinical placement

• Remainder is divided between the taught academic programme and research activity.

The Training ModelThe Training Model

• Reflective Scientist-Practitioner– Practitioner: Interpersonal skills– Scientist:

• Evidence based approaches• Applying scientific rigour to clinical work• Contributing to body of scientific knowledge

– Reflective: Personal awareness & learning through structured reflection on practice

Placement

1

Adult

Placement

2

Adult

Th

era

peu

tic S

kills

an

d P

ractic

e

Pers

on

al &

Pro

fessio

nal

Develo

pm

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t

AdultClinical

psychology

Advanced Topics in Adult

psychology

Researc

h M

eth

od

s &

Sta

tistic

sR

esearc

h M

eth

od

s &

Sta

tistic

s

Placement

3

Child

Placement

4

Intellectual

Disability

Child &Adolescent

Clinical psychology

Clinical Psychology

& Intellectual Disability

Placement 5

Lifespan

Elective

Placement 6

Elective

SpecialistTopics in Clinical

Psychology

Psy 8

21 T

hesis

Year1

Year2

Year3

Placement Academic Research

Research Block

Sm

all S

cale

R

Research Methodology & Research Methodology & StatisticsStatistics

• Lectures & seminars present students with the relevant knowledge & conceptual background to design, conduct, analyse and report research findings

• Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies• Computer-based exercises provide students with

the necessary skills to enter, analyse and interpret data

• Small Scale Research Project (Year 1)– Service-led research

• D. Clin Psych Thesis (Year 3)– Literature review – Research dissertation (of publishable quality)

Clinical PlacementsClinical PlacementsChild and Adolescent

Services

• Primary Care• Community Services• Child & Adolescent Mental

Health

Adult/Older Adult Services

•Primary Care•Community Services•Psychiatric Hospitals•General Hospitals

Intellectual Disability Services

• Community Services for Children & Adults

• Residential Services for Children & Adults

Specialist Placements

•Older Adult•Clinical Neuropsychology •Services for Children with Autism•Health Psychology – Child and Adult•Forensic Settings•Specialist Psychotherapy Settings

Role of Clinical Role of Clinical PsychologistPsychologist

• Psychological assessment and formulation of individual, system or service problems

• Treatment using psychologically based techniques

• Evaluation of the outcomes of clinical intervention

• Consultation with other health professional to support them in their client work.

• Teaching and training of (i) psychologists and (ii) other health professionals

• Research including service evaluation

Role of Clinical Role of Clinical PsychologistPsychologist

• Contributing to policy development and service planning

• Participation in the design and implementation of health promotion / prevention strategies

• Management of services both directly and through participation in supervisory boards / committees

• Supervision of both psychologists and other health professionals

• Participation in investigation / inquiry processes• Provision of expert opinion for the courts and other

quasi-judicial processes

Range of care groupsRange of care groups• Infants, children and their families with developmental,

emotional, intellectual & physical disabilities and problems

• Adolescents with a wide range of difficulties from adjustment problems to serious mental health difficulties

• Adults with mental health problems ranging from less complex presentations through to severe and enduring mental health difficulties

• Families and couples with significant relationship difficulties

• Adults with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities

• Older adults and their carers• Victims of sexual and other abuse- both child and adult• Refugees and asylum seekers• Emergency response to people exposed to traumatic

events

Minimum Requirements Minimum Requirements

• 2.1 PSI accredited psychology degree

• 6 months relevant post-graduate clinical experience (supervised)

• Eligibility for employment in EU

• English Language competency

• Garda clearance

• Satisfactory references

Application evaluation Application evaluation 1) Academic Qualifications

– Degree grade/classification– Taught PG courses

2) Research Qualifications– Undergraduate research– Research assistant (either whole-time or part-time)– Presentations and publications– Research degree

3) Clinical Experience– Postgraduate experience with relevant client groups in

care-giving context– Supervised experience (supervised by a psychologist)– Psychology assistant (supervised by a clinical psychologist)

4) References– Academic– Clinical

Application EvaluationApplication Evaluation

• To qualify for next round– Minimum in each of 4 areas– Minimum overall score

Stage IIStage II

Selection centre• Academic tasks

– Essay– Research task– Others

• Group discussion

• Minimum standard in each task• Minimum overall score

Stage IIIStage III

• Interview (course team & employers) • Clinical knowledge • Clinical Suitability• Interpersonal qualities• Readiness for training

What are my What are my chances?chances?

What next….What next….

• Offer• Shortlist• Feedback

Why Choose TCD?Why Choose TCD?

• Integration of Academic/Clinical/Reflective practice

• Promotion of active involvement of trainee– Development of own interests

• Acceptance of different models• Partnership with HSE and others

Questions? Questions?