University of Dublin
Trinity College
Doctoral Programme in
Clinical Psychology
(D. Clin. Psych.)
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 Staff
Head of School: Dr. Howard Smith
Course Director: Dr. Kevin Tierney
Lecturers:
Dr. Charlotte Wilson
Dr. 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-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 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
components:
comprises
three
major
– 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 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
2
Adult
Adult
Placement
Placement
3
4
Child
Intellectual
Disability
Placement
5
Lifespan
Elective
Placement
6
Elective
Adult
Clinical
psychology
Advanced
Topics
in Adult
psychology
Child &
Adolescent
Clinical
psychology
Clinical
Psychology &
Intellectual
Disability
Specialist
Topics in
Clinical
Psychology
Research
Block
Psy 821 Thesis
1
Small Scale R
Year
3
Placement
Research
Research Methods & Statistics
Year
2
Placement
Personal & Professional Development
Year
1
Academic
Research Methodology & Statistics
• 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 Placements
Child and Adolescent
Services
• Primary Care
• Community Services
• Child & Adolescent Mental
Health
Intellectual Disability
Services
• Community Services for
Children & Adults
• Residential Services for
Children & Adults
Adult/Older Adult
Services
•Primary Care
•Community Services
•Psychiatric Hospitals
•General Hospitals
Specialist
Placements
•Older Adult
•Clinical Neuropsychology
•Services for Children with Autism
•Health Psychology – Child and Adult
•Forensic Settings
•Specialist Psychotherapy Settings
Role of Clinical Psychologist
• 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 Psychologist
• 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 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
• 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
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 Evaluation
• To qualify for next round
– Minimum in each of 4 areas
– Minimum overall score
Stage II
Selection centre
• Academic tasks
– Essay
– Research task
– Others
• Group discussion
• Minimum standard in each task
• Minimum overall score
Stage III
•
•
•
•
•
Interview (course team & employers)
Clinical knowledge
Clinical Suitability
Interpersonal qualities
Readiness for training
What are my
chances?
What next….
• Offer
• Shortlist
• Feedback
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?