On becoming a clinical psychologist

The pathway to becoming a clinical psychologist is notoriously arduous, expensive and competitive. But if psychology is your passion, clinical psychology registrar and academic Teasha Poblet wants you to know that support is available, and your life experience and interpersonal qualities matter more than book smarts. 

When Teasha Poblet completed her undergraduate psychology degree, she was just one mark short of the cutoff for a master’s degree. That single mark put her plans to become a clinical psychologist on ice.

“The messaging at my uni was, you need to get very, very high marks to ever be able to do a master’s,” she says. “And I thought, oh well, I have no hope!”

Teasha, a proud Dharug woman, pivoted into social work to build experience and save money for a later attempt at her master’s, but she still felt the pull of therapeutic practice.

When she found an internship in child protection at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) – part of the since-retired 4+2 pathway to general registration as a psychologist – she jumped at the opportunity.

“I started that and very quickly realised my undergraduate studies had not prepared me at all,” says Teasha.

Rather than be put off, she resolved to apply for her clinical psychology master’s anyway.  

“A lot of universities only had full-time study options, but I was living out of home, reeling from Covid – that wasn’t possible,” Teasha says.

“Then I came across ACU and they had lots of flexible study options and different pathways for completing the course. 

“In the interview, they saw me as a person and really valued my skills and experience rather than just academic achievement. It felt like a good place to study and as though the staff really care about who you are.”

From student to academic

Fast forward four years and Teasha has graduated from her Master of Clinical Psychology at ACU. She got married. And she’s now a lecturer and Indigenous pedagogy curriculum coordinator at ACU’s School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, as well as the first and only First Nations counsellor at another university.

It’s the ideal career combo for her.

“I really love my clinical work,” she says. “Especially the First Nations students that I’ve had a really big impact on – the merit in that.

“I’m in a very fortunate position where I’m giving back in multiple ways. On a more individual level through my therapy, and then on a broader level with the curriculum development work I’m doing in terms of decolonising psychology and supporting students before they go off into the profession to know how to work in culturally safer ways.”

It’s a rewarding space to be in. And an affirming one for someone who didn’t think she was “clever enough” to do research or specialise as a clinical psychologist. 

Scholarships and support

Teasha attributes her success to scholarships, which eased the financial burden of postgrad study, and the support of those around her.

“I was originally going to do a three-year pathway, where the first semester is full-time without placements, and then I could work two days and weekends,” she says.

“I started doing that and I was really struggling working my job at the DCJ. Then I received the St John of God scholarship after my first year, and I was supported enough by the staff and the university that I felt like I could study full-time.”

Valued at $20,000, the St John of God Health Care NSW Mental Health Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship meant Teasha could dedicate herself to her studies, focus on her placements and grow as a clinician.

Teasha found out about the scholarship – and, later, her current role – through her relationships with faculty staff, who strongly encouraged her to apply for both. It’s this support she cites as her favourite part of her studies.

“I really enjoyed the small environment at the Strathfield Campus and the cohort – everyone was very collegial,” she says.

“I’ve got some lifelong friends from the course. The staff really support you, which helps grow your confidence, and you build relationships with them. At ACU, I’ve found that I am really treated as a person.”

Where to next?

A lot has changed for Teasha in recent years. As for what the future will bring, her plans are loose – but giving back is a priority.

“I’ve landed in the best places when I haven’t planned it so much, but I guess I see myself following a similar trajectory to where I am now,” says Teasha.

“I really love my individual therapeutic clinical work, so I imagine I’ll never let go of that, but I still want to be able to do something that has a broader impact as well.

“And while research is something I’ve never been super confident in, I’m feeling so supported now that I’ve thought about doing a PhD.”

Her message to others contemplating psychology? Believe in yourself and build your community.

“My message to anyone thinking about psychology and wondering if they’re smart enough for the pathway is, you absolutely are, and that’s not what makes a good psychologist at all. Your life experience and your interpersonal qualities often matter a lot more than your book smarts. I mean, I had to go to special reading classes as a kid – so do not write yourself off.

“And remember, there is support out there. It’s important to build a community around you, which I felt like ACU helped me do, and I was also a part of AIPA, which is the Australian Indigenous Psychology Association. I think that building a little community around you is the only way you get through.” 

Want to explore minds and expand possibilities like Teasha? Discover psychology at ACU. Then find out what scholarships you may be eligible for and apply.