The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme lasts for three calendar years and leads to the qualification Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (ClinPsyD). Trainees are based in various NHS Trusts throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and they normally undertake most of their placements in their base or at a nearby one. Teaching takes place mainly at UEA in Norwich on one day a week, although there are also two four-week and two two-week residential teaching blocks during the course.

Goals of Training at UEA

At the end of training, we aim to have helped trainees develop to the point where they can draw on a broad range of psychological models and theories to inform their clinical work and where they are confident in using a variety of research methods appropriate to clinical research questions. We aim to promote an approach to clinical psychology that is realistically optimistic (or optimistically realistic). What we mean by this is that trainees need to appreciate and enjoy what clinical psychology can offer in the context of multi-disciplinary work, and to accept that in everyday practice we frequently cannot 'cure' our clients and often have to make difficult decisions about the use of limited resources. We are aware that working and training as a clinical psychologist presents many emotional demands. We hope to help trainees cope with these demands by providing support structures and by developing skills of self-reflection and self-awareness.

Our Main Strengths

  • An innovative approach to clinical psychology training that includes a systemic research training programme, methods of assessing clinical skills, and the integration of theory and practice;
  • Seeing trainees as adult learners, making use of trainees' own knowledge and skills and using problem-based learning to help promote the skills necessary for life-long learning;
  • An emphasis on evidence-based practice with development of the specific skills necessary to maintain this throughout one's career;
  • An emphasis on clinically relevant research both to inform practice and to develop the knowledge base of the profession - we provide good systems to support trainees to carry out high quality research.
  • A stimulating and supportive multi-disciplinary environment;
  • An emphasis on case formulation within teaching and assessment;
  • Teaching in CBT, CAT and Systemic Therapies;
  • The opportunity to take additional training in a specific therapy in the third year;
  • All third year trainees have the opportunity to attend a one week training course run by the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust at the Tavistock Centre in London.

Support of Trainees

Normally we expect trainees to seek support from course staff, their peers and supervisors. We provide a range of support systems reflecting the different needs of trainees. We have a "buddy" system whereby each new trainee is supported by a trainee in the year above. In addition, each trainee is allocated to a course advisor who is responsible for supporting the trainee and monitoring their work throughout the three years. They do this through regular meetings with the trainees including appraisal meetings and mid-placement reviews. The advisor plays no part in the marking of the trainee's work. There is a network of personal support tutors throughout the region to whom trainees are allocated.

Further information about our Academic Teaching Programme, our Clinical Placements, our Research Programme for Trainee Clinical Psychologists, and Assessments can be found by clicking the links below.