So You Want To Be A Psychologist PODNOTES

What goes into making a podcast? More than you’d think — and some of it is worth showing.

Behind-the-scenes footage from So You Want To Be A Psychologist is now live. Zara and I sitting with questions that don’t have clean answers. The moments before the record light goes on.

All five episodes are now available on YouTube, Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. Find them here: https://linktr.ee/affinitiplusltd

A resource pack to accompany the series is available for £10 here: https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes

Subscribe free at affinitiplus.substack.com and you will find every full free episode and new article will land straight in your inbox.

We listen. We hear. We help.

Dr Anindita and Zara

You’ve qualified. Now what? This final episode looks at career paths in both the NHS and private practice, drawing on Dr Anindita Sarkar’s 26 years of experience across both. We discuss the long-term impact clinical psychologists can have, the realities of leadership and service development, and the emerging questions around AI and the future of the profession. We also answer the question the whole series has been building toward: is this worth it? Want support navigating your next step? Our full application package offers comprehensive guidance at https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes. Or with our resource guide (£10) — CV templates, interview checklists, application timelines and reading lists, available now.

Have a question about this episode? Join the conversation in our Substack community — ask Dr Anindita and Zara directly. We read everything: https://affinitiplus.substack.com/publish/chat?utm_source=chat-checklist We built this series for you and we want to keep improving it. Tell us what you need more of, what questions you still have, and what would make this resource more useful for aspiring psychologists:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-FLJhzVXUGiJcpdhcpDWEIvf64TJScpypt5Y4IMTtd3HXwA/viewform

Timestamps

0:00 - 0:31 → Introduction to Episode 5

0:31 - 7:00 → Life after qualifying; what has Dr Anindita learnt in her roles post doctorate?

7:00 - 10:43 → The creation of Affiniti+

10:43 - 16:00 → Thoughts on the present and future of the field of clinical psychology

16:00 → Episode and series wrap-up

Over 100 applicants for one assistant psychologist post. That is not exceptional. That is normal. This episode is about what you do about it. We cover how to structure a CV and cover letter that gets read, how to prepare for interviews when everyone in the room is equally qualified on paper, and the most common mistakes candidates make — and don’t realise they’re making. We also talk honestly about rejection: how to handle it, how to keep going, and what it does to your sense of agency when the system is designed to filter you out.

Resource pack and other personalised information for you available at https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes.

Have a question about this episode? Join the conversation in our Substack community — ask Dr Anindita and Zara directly. We read everything: https://affinitiplus.substack.com/publish/chat?utm_source=chat-checklist We built this series for you and we want to keep improving it. Tell us what you need more of, what questions you still have, and what would make this resource more useful for aspiring psychologists:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-FLJhzVXUGiJcpdhcpDWEIvf64TJScpypt5Y4IMTtd3HXwA/viewform

Timestamps

0:00 - 0:35 → Introduction to Episode 4

0:35 - 3:06 → Dr Anindita’s application tips for aspiring assistant psychologists

3:06 - 6:33 → Tips for interviewing for assistant psychologist roles

6:33 - 8:33 → How to handle rejection

8:33 - 9:15 → Episode wrap-up

The prospectus version of a clinical psychology doctorate sounds manageable. The reality is different. This episode covers what doctoral training is actually like — the clinical work, the research, the pressures, the support, and what a viva involves. More importantly, it covers what you need to do before you apply: the experience that matters, the experience that doesn’t, and how to position yourself as a credible candidate when competition is this fierce.

Want personalised guidance on your own pathway and timeline? Our career strategy session (£120) offers one-to-one advice on exactly this. Book at https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes.

Have a question about this episode? Join the conversation in our Substack community — ask Dr Anindita and Zara directly. We read everything: https://affinitiplus.substack.com/publish/chat?utm_source=chat-checklist

We built this series for you and we want to keep improving it. Tell us what you need more of, what questions you still have, and what would make this resource more useful for aspiring psychologists:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-FLJhzVXUGiJcpdhcpDWEIvf64TJScpypt5Y4IMTtd3HXwA/viewform

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review takes 30 seconds and makes a real difference to who finds this series next.

Timestamps

0:00 - 0:33 → Introduction to Episode 3

0:33 - 1:40 → Life as a DClinPsy student

1:40 - 5:30 → Dr Anindita’s experience of teaching and placements on the DClinPsy course at Salomon’s

5:30 - 7:33 → Mapping out a career: is Psychology A level important?

7:33 - 8:11 → Mapping out a career: is an undergraduate degree in psychology essential?

8:11 - 9:05 → Mapping out a career: are Master’s degrees in psychology useful?

9:05 - 11:33 → Mapping out a career: how to gain clinical experience?

11:33 - 12:17 → Episode wrap-up

Clinical psychologist. Psychotherapist. Psychiatrist. Counselling psychologist. Most people use these terms interchangeably. They are not the same — and confusing them costs you time, money, and sometimes years of experience in the wrong direction. This episode clarifies the differences, maps the range of psychology specialisms available, and answers the questions nobody tells you early enough: when should you apply for a doctorate, and what experience actually makes you a strong candidate? 

Want to get started right away? Our Resource Pack (£10) includes: a checklist for assistant psychologist applications, a CV template, a UK DClinPsy application timeline, and additional reading; a perfect first step in your journey. Available now at https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes. Have a question about this episode? Join the conversation in our Substack community — ask Dr Anindita and Zara directly. We read everything: https://affinitiplus.substack.com/publish/chat?utm_source=chat-checklist

We built this series for you and we want to keep improving it. Tell us what you need more of, what questions you still have, and what would make this resource more useful for aspiring psychologists:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-FLJhzVXUGiJcpdhcpDWEIvf64TJScpypt5Y4IMTtd3HXwA/viewform If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review takes 30 seconds and makes a real difference to who finds this series next.

Timestamps

0:00 - 0:32 → Introduction to Episode 2

0:32 - 3:18 → What actually is a clinical psychologist? 

3:18 - 3:59 → How does a clinical psychologist differ from a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist?

3:59 - 8:04 → Dr Anindita Sarkar’s route to the doctorate in clinical psychology

8:04 - 9:22 → The experience of applying to a doctorate in clinical psychology

9:22 - 10:23 → Advice for those at the beginning of the journey to the doctorate

10:23 - 11:04 → Episode wrap-up

Most people who want to be clinical psychologists don't fully understand what the role involves until they're already years into trying to get there. This episode fixes that. Dr Anindita speaks with Zara about what drew her to the field, what the reality of the profession looks like from the inside, and what aspiring psychologists need to understand before they invest years in this path. If you're wondering whether clinical psychology is right for you — and what it actually takes to succeed — start here. 

Want to get started right away? Our Resource Pack (£10) includes: a checklist for assistant psychologist applications, a CV template, a UK DClinPsy application timeline, and additional reading; a perfect first step in your journey. Available now at https://www.affinitiplus.com/podnotes. Have a question about this episode? Join the conversation in our Substack community — ask Dr Anindita and Zara directly. We read everything: https://affinitiplus.substack.com/publish/chat?utm_source=chat-checklistWe built this series for you and we want to keep improving it. Tell us what you need more of, what questions you still have, and what would make this resource more useful for aspiring psychologists:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-FLJhzVXUGiJcpdhcpDWEIvf64TJScpypt5Y4IMTtd3HXwA/viewform 

Timestamps

0:00 - 2:29 → Introduction to So You Want To Be A Psychologist

2:29 - 6:01 → Introducing Dr Anindita Sarkar and her reasons for pursuing clinical psychology

6:01 - 7:30 → Tips for facing the level of competition in the field

7:30 - 8:16 → Episode wrap-up

So You Want To Be A Psychologist is a free five-episode podcast series for anyone interested in or preparing for a career in clinical psychology. The series explores what the pathway actually looks like in practice, from building experience, to applying for assistant psychologist roles, to getting onto the doctorate in clinical psychology. Hosted by Dr Anindita Sarkar, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 26 years’ experience, and Zara Tandy, Assistant Psychologist at Affiniti+. Full series launches 5th May 3pm, available here on Substack, as well as on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.