Reflections of an APPly programme assistant psychologist: 6-month post in an acute older adults’ ward

Abstract

An assistant psychologist (AP) post is a highly coveted and extremely competitive role for budding psychologists. For many, this is a crucial step to applying for the DClin, a shared goal for graduates to further their education and training. As popular and competitive positions may be for AP roles, it is no secret that experience in the older adults’ sector is not as popular as some others (Karel et al., 2012). This not only applies to APs in older adults’ services, but also to graduates of the DClin, who may prefer to work in other services rather than older adults. This highlights the necessity of generating interest in this area, as it’s important to ensure psychological needs are met for all populations and demographics, including older people.