Ms Marina Dillon:

Again, talking from personal experience, I am in my second decade to qualify as a psychologist. It has been a change of career. We absolutely should be rewarding lived experience. We have a lot to bring to psychology yet those with the most lived experience, that is the most mature, would have more difficulties and barriers actually getting on board, at least to the full qualification stage because we have families and children to look after and so many other things going on that we do not have the time to double job, which is what is required of a trainee counselling and educational psychologist. On top of the placements, you have to attend full day lectures and also prepare for exams, assignments, presentations and also earn an income. You are so squeezed you do not have the time to do those jobs. People have to do an hour here or there in the evenings and at weekends. Something has to give there. There is no work life balance. I would almost say that it is unethical. We should not be pushed to our limits and we are. I believe it has a negative knock-on effect on clients. You would like to think that when you are fully qualified, you are raring to go, full of energy and vigour. I am not sure that we will be at that point when we qualify. It has a knock-on effect and that has to be borne in mind too.

Our counselling psychology course is the only one of its kind in the country. We definitely do promote diversity but there are huge fees that must be paid. There is a huge commitment. I expect the majority will agree that at one time, we have all had to work for free. I had to work for free for the guts of a decade just to gain the relevant experience. It is not sustainable.