Thinking about becoming a CBT therapist but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Sahana, a qualified CBT therapist, to explore the full pathway from PWP training to becoming a band 7 CBT therapist.

You’ll discover how the training works, what qualifications you need, and what life is really like during and after the course. From the reality of supervision and showing recorded sessions, to understanding the KSA portfolio and career progression opportunities, this episode offers an honest, practical guide to help you decide if CBT is the right path for you.

#CBTTherapist #PsychologyCareers #MentalHealthProfessionals #CognitiveBehaviouralTherapy #AspiringPsychologist

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why CBT is a popular career path
• 01:26 – Sahana’s journey from psychology degree to CBT therapist
• 02:14 – Applying for trainee CBT roles & the KSA portfolio explained
• 04:44 – How training is funded: salary, fees, and structure
• 05:11 – Teaching blocks, supervision, and learning from experts
• 07:08 – The role of supervisors and why support is vital
• 08:02 – Group supervision & showing recorded sessions
• 10:07 – Why recordings feel daunting but are essential for growth
• 11:55 – Assessments, essays, case reports & the CTSR marking system
• 13:16 – Cohort support, peer networks & leaning on each other
• 14:55 – Training structure: 2 days university, 3 days placement
• 15:25 – Qualifying as a band 7 & what the role looks like
• 16:22 – Balancing face-to-face, remote, and group therapy work
• 18:06 – Career progression: senior CBT roles & moving into doctorates
• 19:49 – Why CBT training can be an empowering foundation for your career
• 20:42 – Wrapping up: reflections & resources

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and researched psychological therapies for anxiety, depression, and low mood but what actually happens in CBT sessions, and how does it work?

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by CBT therapist Sahana to explore what CBT is, how CBT works, and what clients can expect. From breaking unhelpful thought cycles to graded behavioural experiments, you’ll discover how CBT helps people with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and more.

Whether you’re thinking about accessing CBT therapy, supporting someone else, or training as a psychologist, this conversation gives you a clear, compassionate understanding of CBT and why it’s such a practical and empowering approach.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: What CBT is and why it matters
• 01:08 – First steps: nerves, myths, and accessibility in CBT
• 02:31 – Making therapy accessible: online sessions, adaptations, and barriers
• 04:39 – Thoughts, feelings, behaviours: the CBT cycle explained
• 07:45 – When everyday worries become overwhelming
• 09:58 – What keeps problems going? The role of formulation
• 11:32 – Homework vs “between-session practice” — what clients can expect
• 13:22 – Graded exposure and behavioural experiments
• 16:13 – Case example: how CBT can help after relationship breakdown
• 20:01 – Problem lists, goals, and building awareness
• 23:06 – Balancing validation with change in CBT
• 25:17 – How many CBT sessions do people usually get?
• 27:56 – Collaboration, feedback, and challenging the ‘therapist as expert’ myth
• 30:56 – The role of safety-seeking behaviours vs adaptive coping
• 36:20 – Who CBT might not be the best fit for
• 38:47 – Other approaches and the stages of change
• 39:21 – Closing thoughts and next episode preview: training as a CBT therapist

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more:

Smartphones are everywhere but how do we know when (and how) to give one to our kids? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Dr Martha Deiros Collado to talk about her new book, The Smartphone Solution. Together we explore how to mindfully introduce smartphones to children, set healthy boundaries, and rethink our own relationship with screens.

From managing FOMO and group chats to being role models for digital habits, this episode dives into the real challenges families face. You’ll learn practical tips to reduce overstimulation, create phone-free zones, and help kids notice how screens affect their wellbeing.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, psychologist, or just curious about healthier screen use, this conversation will give you insight, reassurance, and tools to feel more in control.

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introducing Dr Martha and The Smartphone Solution
• 02:10 – Fear messaging vs reassurance: starting the phone conversation well
• 03:50 – Why we scroll mindlessly and how it costs us time and presence
• 05:34 – Taking control: parents as role models for digital habits
• 06:31 – Peer pressure, FOMO, and the stress of group chats
• 07:27 – Case study: a 13-year-old overwhelmed by 200+ WhatsApp messages daily
• 09:17 – Alternatives to smartphones: why basic mobile phones still matter
• 11:05 – Helping kids notice how screen use impacts emotions and wellbeing
• 12:57 – When “helpful” parental boundaries can backfire
• 15:11 – Why constant connection becomes meaningless “white noise”
• 17:49 – Teaching kids good social skills before digital ones
• 18:34 – The power of voice notes and video calls for real connection
• 21:16 – Rest, overstimulation, and why we need phone-free zones
• 25:20 – The “Tamagotchi effect” of phones demanding constant attention
• 28:20 – Phones at the dinner table: should we be more offended?
• 31:00 – Phone-free zones, alerts, and reclaiming presence at home
• 35:48 – Tiny tweaks for big impact: practical steps for healthier habits
• 39:15 – Publication details: where to get The Smartphone Solution

Links:

📚 Grab Dr Martha's brand new book The Smartphone Solution here: https://amzn.to/4n1Mc5Z 📲 Follow Dr Martha here: https://www.instagram.com/dr.martha.psychologist/

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now:

Have you ever had a moment where you felt fundamentally flawed? Like something was wrong with you, not just what you did? That’s the voice of shame. In this solo episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent unpacks what shame really is, how it can quietly shape your mental health, and why naming it is a radical first step toward emotional healing.

We explore the psychology of shame, including how it develops in childhood, relationships, culture, trauma, and identity and how it can manifest through perfectionism, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, and burnout. With relatable examples and two fictional case studies (James and Amina), this episode shines a compassionate light on the invisible wounds shame can cause. Whether you're supporting therapy clients or dealing with shame yourself, this episode helps you understand its grip and how to loosen it.

📌 Look out for part two coming soon: What to Do About Shame.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Is there something wrong with me?
• 00:50 – What shame is and how it differs from guilt
• 01:48 – Brene Brown’s definition and why shame is often invisible
• 02:20 – Childhood roots: parenting, rejection, trauma, and marginalisation
• 03:46 – A powerful example of body shame and religious upbringing
• 04:51 – How shame hides: people-pleasing, self-criticism, addiction, avoidance
• 05:46 – Case Study: James – heartbreak, masculinity, and silent shame
• 06:38 – Case Study: Amina – failed application and feeling unworthy
• 06:58 – Why shame can fuel anxiety, depression, burnout, and paralysis
• 07:55 – The power of naming shame and exploring whose voice it echoes
• 08:45 – Dr Marianne’s own experiences of shame and overcoming self-doubt
• 09:17 – Next steps: part two on treating shame, membership, and support

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

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When your world turns upside down whether from a breakup, job loss, or sudden life-changing news it can feel impossible to cope. In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent shares essential emotional first aid strategies for managing grief, trauma, and distress after unexpected events.

You’ll learn evidence-based techniques to help with overwhelm, anxiety, and shock from grounding and self-soothing to validating big emotions and seeking support. Whether you’re a mental health professional, psychology student, or someone dealing with a difficult time, this episode offers calm, compassionate guidance to help you feel more in control and less alone.

Highlights:

• 00:00 – What to do when your world flips upside down
• 01:00 – Why sudden news hits our identity, relationships, and safety
• 02:50 – Common coping strategies that might make things worse
• 04:00 – How to avoid isolation and challenge shame
• 05:00 – Resisting the urge to catastrophise
• 06:00 – The basics of sleep, food, and hydration in a crisis
• 07:30 – Grounding techniques for overwhelm
• 08:30 – Building distress tolerance through breath and presence
• 09:30 – Why moving your body matters more than you think
• 10:40 – Managing sensory overload and reducing stimulation
• 11:30 – How to ask for the support you need
• 12:20 – Finding small wins and regaining control
• 13:30 – Giving yourself permission to grieve
• 14:30 – Safe ways to express sadness and process emotion
• 15:30 – Honouring breakups and supporting children involved
• 16:30 – Mental health crisis support and when to seek help
• 17:30 – How to be the support someone else needs
• 18:30 – Why you won’t feel like this forever
• 19:30 – Tools and resources: The Grief Collective & Tricky Brain Kit

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

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Is it too late to become a clinical psychologist in your 40s or 50s? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Claire, a former police officer who medically retired, studied psychology with the Open University, and secured her first NHS Assistant Psychologist role at age 45. At 47, she was offered a place on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) — on her first application.

Claire’s journey offers hope and insight for mature students, career changers, and anyone wondering if clinical psychology is still a realistic goal later in life. From overcoming imposter syndrome to balancing parenting and NHS experience, this conversation is full of practical advice and encouragement.

Whether you’re early in your journey or returning to education later in life, this episode will remind you: it’s never too late to become a psychologist.

🎧 Highlights:

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 02:02 – Claire’s career in the police and what led to change
• 06:34 – Studying psychology with the Open University
• 09:11 – Challenges of being a mature student
• 13:28 – First Assistant Psychologist post at 45
• 15:40 – Working in acute mental health and CAMHS
• 18:55 – Parenting while studying and working in psychology
• 22:46 – Building confidence and self-belief
• 26:19 – Applying for DClinPsy and the interview process
• 29:02 – Reflections on age, readiness, and encouragement
• 32:17 – Claire’s hopes for the future
• 35:05 – Final thoughts: You’re never too late

#CareerChangePsychology #MatureStudentJourney #AspiringPsychologist #DClinPsyApplication #NeverTooLate

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

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If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in...

Worried you're falling behind because you haven’t secured an assistant psychologist (AP) role yet? You’re not alone - but don’t panic. In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent explores how job crafting can help you shape a successful psychology career even without a formal AP title.

Learn how to adapt your current or future roles to gain relevant clinical experience, boost your psychology CV, and prepare for training or assistant psychologist job applications. Whether you're in support work, education, admin, or healthcare, this episode will empower you to create opportunities, build confidence, and progress on your path to becoming a psychologist.

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why we need to talk about job crafting
• 02:18 – What is job crafting and why does it matter for aspiring psychologists?
• 04:40 – You don’t need a psychology job title to build psychological experience
• 07:15 – Real-world examples: from receptionist to AP-level skills
• 09:52 – Spotting psychologically meaningful tasks around you
• 12:34 – How to have empowering conversations with your manager or supervisor
• 14:58 – Being ethical and staying within role boundaries while still growing
• 17:21 – Community stories: creative ways others have job crafted
• 20:07 – When job crafting isn’t enough — how to know when to move on
• 22:45 – Reflecting your job crafting in applications and interviews
• 26:12 – Fighting imposter syndrome when your experience looks different
• 29:40 – Seeking support and community to help you stay the course
• 31:58 – Final thoughts and where to go for further help
• 34:12 – Outro: Your journey still counts, even if it doesn’t look typical

#AspiringPsychologist #PsychologyCareers #JobCrafting #AssistantPsychologist #PsychologyExperience

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more:

Should assisted dying be legal in the UK and what role can psychologists play in this deeply personal, ethical debate? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr Marianne Trent shares reflections on end-of-life care, personal experiences of witnessing suffering, and the psychological complexities surrounding assisted dying.

You’ll learn about the current legal stance in the UK, the role of moral injury in healthcare, and how psychological professionals can support compassionate, person-centred conversations around death, dying, and autonomy.

Whether you're a mental health professional, aspiring psychologist, or someone interested in end-of-life rights and ethics, this episode explores the emotional, systemic, and clinical realities behind one of the most important debates in healthcare today.

Related Reading & Watching

🕊️ The Grief Collective – Dr Marianne Trent’s book exploring real stories of loss, life, and healing: https://amzn.to/4hNHru5

🎙️ Previous episode: Death Anxiety – What It Is, Why It Happens & How Therapy Can Help (with Tia Urgasova) https://youtu.be/yz1GEN-yhQU or https://player.captivate.fm/episode/011a5be0-2468-4fe1-915f-67b6d98fb8c2/

Highlights:

• 00:00 – Marianne shares her father’s end-of-life story
• 05:00 – The need for dignity, choice, and “a good death”
• 08:30 – Reflections on hospice funding and access
• 09:49 – Moral injury and the psychological workforce
• 10:49 – Jeremy Vine’s emotional statement on assisted dying
• 12:00 – The difference between trauma and grief in bereavement
• 13:36 – ACP-UK’s stance on legal reform and clinician voices
• 15:43 – Becoming a thought leader in difficult conversations

Links:

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

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

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱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

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: