ON BECOMING A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: THE EXPERIENCES OF AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

Abstract

The study explored the lived experiences of students enrolled in psychology master’s clinical programmes who had previously been unsuccessful applicants. The study sought to establish whether qualities of growth may have manifested during the aftermath of being unsuccessful and how this may have affected the participants’ success. The study adopted a qualitative research method and data were collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews. The data produced 7 superordinate themes, Choosing psychology and undergraduate experience; master’s selection and the first attempt; rejection and the process; preparation and the second attempt; “rejection” remains a constant; accepted but am I good-enough; and acceptance and the new insights. The process of becoming a psychologist, which is filled with uncertainty and growth, resonates with the eventual dynamics psychologists must grapple with in training and in practice. Essentially, being unsuccessful creates a void, an anxiety that unsuccessful applicants should process and, hopefully, accept. The curious paradox is that it may be the very uncertainty of becoming a psychologist trainee that may allow anxious and doubtful applicants become open and reflective psychologists.