Sectors: Counselling and psychotherapy

Exposure to the potential patients/client groups that you’d like to work with will help you to decide whether you would enjoy a career in psychology (or a related profession).

Work experience is highly valued when applying for both entry-level roles and postgraduate study. If you are considering training as a Chartered Psychologist, some courses will particularly look for experience gained as an Assistant Psychologist. Due to its confidential nature, it can be difficult to secure experience in counselling or psychotherapy, particularly at the 1:1 level, but there are plenty of other possibilities.

In hospital

• Healthcare assistant work is particularly valuable for careers in Nursing, but also gives good general experience of working with individuals experiencing mental health problems (see the NHS Jobs website).
• Volunteering in hospitals, as a ward volunteer or at outpatient units/clinics can be another way of developing your skills and gaining exposure to patients. Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge has a range of volunteering opportunities. A minimum commitment is required.

Other settings

• Look for volunteering opportunities that involve client contact, such as Samaritans, Nightline and other mental health charities that need listening volunteers or group leaders.
• Volunteer through Student Community Action.
• Assisting psychological research can be helpful, particularly if that research is clinically oriented.
• Paid work as a care assistant.
• Mentoring young offenders.
• Volunteering with the Witness Service, Victim Support, or the Prison Advice and Care Trust.
• Volunteering at homeless shelters.
• Holiday clubs, community youth groups and play schemes can be a good way to gain experience. working with children.
• Find out more in our Volunteering page

• British Psychological Society

• British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

• UK Council for Psychotherapy

• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

• NHS Health Careers

There are several local organisations where you can gain valuable experience:

• Cambridge Hub - supports students to tackle social challenges and connect with each other
• Cambridge Streetbite - a student-run project that helps the homeless community in Cambridge
• Cambridge University Hospitals - volunteer at one of the best-known hospitals in the UK
• Citizens Advice - helps people with their problems and campaigns to improve government policies
• Jimmy's - for over 20 years, Jimmy's has been providing help for the homeless in Cambridge
• Nightline Association - a night-time listening service which is run by students for students
• Samaritans - help support anyone who needs someone to talk to
• Student Community Action - facilitates student involvement in voluntary community work
• Student Minds - formerly known as the Mental Wealth Campaign