From 11 to 15 November, CWP is joining NHS colleagues across the North West to celebrate Psychological Professions Week, highlighting the essential work and diversity of psychological professions and encouraging people to think about careers in these roles in both mental health and physical health settings.
Elspeth Ward is a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Elspeth, who lives near Lancaster, has been working as a Psychological Practitioner for the last 18 years, supporting people to develop strategies to manage low mood, anxiety and depression.
Having completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Wales Bangor, Elspeth completed her postgraduate certificate in primary care mental health practice at the University of Central Lancashire.
Elspeth said: “Working as a psychological wellbeing practitioner has given me the opportunity to help and support people, something that I find very rewarding. Every day, and individual, is different and I think that is what has kept me engaged in the role for so long. The role is so varied and I feel very fulfilled by the work I do. That’s not to say, it’s not challenging. It can be, but in a positive way, meaning you continue to learn and develop professionally.”
Elspeth finds it “tremendously” rewarding to help people. In addition to juggling a career as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Elspeth is a mother of four children aged between five and 13.
Elspeth said: “There are a breadth of roles available in psychological professions and I would encourage people to really think about the range of psychological roles – there are 19. There are lots of different opportunities, throughout the NHS, don’t just think psychological professions are limited to mental health. i would suggest to young people and also anyone who is looking for a change in their career to really think about the rewarding career opportunities in the psychological professions.”
Maxine said: “My partner was going through some difficulties with his employer which would eventually lead to redundancy. I had recently had a baby and was filled with worry about what I was going to do next. Panic attacks started to be a thing in my life. I’d never experienced them before and found them terrifying. I was feeling anxious and I didn’t know it at the time – but I was also experiencing symptoms of depression. It felt as though my mind wasn’t working as it had been before and I didn’t feel able to work as well as I had been.”
Maxine went to see her GP who made her aware of talking therapies services or IAPT as they were known then. The next six months were life changing for her.
Maxine said: “Initially I was quite fearful. I felt like there was a stigma attached to what I was doing and was worried that I would face judgement for how I felt. I shouldn’t have worried. In talking therapies services everyone is treated as individual with their own thoughts and feelings. I wasn’t compared to anybody else.”
With support from the talking therapies service, Maxine’s health improved and she eventually underwent counsellor training, completed a postgraduate diploma, left teaching and joined CWP at the service that helped her.
She said: “I was successful and have since trained to be a cognitive behavioural therapist. It’s a wonderful job and I really like the feeling of helping people out and supporting their journey to better wellbeing. I can also really relate and empathise with the people who refer themselves into the service. I can see things from their perspective as I was once in their position.
“I understand how people may have difficulties communicating their thoughts and feelings. I’ve been there myself. It’s really rewarding to know I can use my experience to help someone get those feelings out – for their own benefit.”
Phil Gooden, Psychological Professions Lead at NHS England – North West who also runs the Psychological Professions Network North West, said: “Psychological Professions Week is held every year to foster a sense of unity and shared identity among professionals. It is about celebrating the work that our Psychological Professionals do and highlighting how rewarding the role is. This year, we’re encouraging people to think about a career in the full range of psychological professions and signposting them to the Psychological Professions Network (PPN) Careers Map and support available on the NHS Health Careers website.”
Psychological Professions Week is organised by the Psychological Professions Network (PPN) and provides a platform for showcasing the various roles within Psychological Professions, from clinical psychologists and counsellors to psychological therapists, as well as, psychological practitioners. For more information on the PPN and events this week click here.
