What would make someone turn down a place on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) after years of hard work and applications? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr Marianne Trent speaks with Assistant Psychologist Will about his bold and values-led decision to decline a DClinPsy offer from Liverpool.

We explore what it feels like to get the long-awaited offer only to realise it doesn’t align with your personal wellbeing, relationships, or long-term goals. Will shares the emotional impact of saying no, how location and stability shaped his choice, and what it means to prioritise authenticity over external expectations.

This honest conversation will resonate with aspiring psychologists facing the pressures of applications, rejections, interviews, and offers. If you’re wondering what really matters when making career decisions in psychology, this episode offers clarity, courage, and hope.

This is a powerful listen for aspiring psychologists navigating applications, rejections, offers, and the difficult decisions that come with building a career in psychology.

#dlinpsy #dclin #clearinghouse

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why would anyone turn down a DClinPsy place?
• 01:05 – Meet Will: Assistant Psychologist and DClinPsy offer holder
• 01:52 – Saying no to Liverpool: how the decision unfolded
• 03:48 – Visceral reactions: why dread outweighed joy
• 06:26 – The importance of stability, relationships, and location
• 08:11 – Pros and cons lists, health factors, and neurodivergence considerations
• 09:55 – Long-distance relationships and self-care realities
• 12:28 – “If it was local, I’d have said yes”: information in itself
• 14:19 – Loss, growth, and embracing future opportunities
• 16:27 – Working on self-understanding and mental health alongside career goals
• 20:02 – Regional challenges and placements: why location matters
• 23:15 – The importance of early, honest conversations with partners
• 28:24 – Three years isn’t “just three years”: weighing the life impact
• 30:51 – Loving the job you’re in and choosing timing that feels right
• 33:06 – The need for more open conversations in psychology about difficult decisions
• 36:59 – Final reflections: your authentic self matters more than the pedestal

Links:

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💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

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📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent

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Grab your ticket to the Psychologists in Private Practice Social & Networking Event

On Saturday the 6th of Dec 2025 Dr Claire Plumbly and I are hosting another brilliant Psychologists in private Practice Social & Networking event.
To learn more and grab your ticket head to: https://gtps.kartra.com/page/Social-Dec-2025