PhD student Christy shares her journey from leaving school to studying Psychology at RGU while building a career in the third sector to support individuals with their mental health.
Leaving school and working with mental health charities
Having had a rocky time in Secondary School, I left at age 16 without any Highers, and didn’t think that I would ever go to university. Thankfully, I had a passion for music which led me to work as a semi-professional Orchestral Musician and secure a scholarship place at a top UK Conservatoire.
It was an unfortunate deterioration of my own mental health that led me seeking answers in Psychology literature. Ultimately, I chose to leave my studies in music to pursue an undergraduate Psychology degree. With poor mental health at the time, this period was difficult. However, I persevered and learned a lot.
In 2014, I started working in a self-harm service; a role I would continue in for nearly six years. With a desire to better support my clients, I decided to increase my knowledge and skills by training to become a psychotherapist. I completed my core therapy training in 2019, and gained a Counselling and Wellbeing Coordinator position at Aberdeen Foyer, where I could put all I learned into practice. Additionally, I joined the North East Suicide Prevention Team at Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) as a dedicated Suicide Prevention Trainer.
Finding the courage to study at RGU
My motivation for learning only grew throughout my studies, and although I found the prospect dauting, I chose to return to Psychology studies and enrol full-time on RGU’s MSc in Applied Psychology (distance learning) in 2019.
I found my undergraduate Psychology studies challenging, but I felt my academic skills improved greatly with practice, and the learning process became easier and more enjoyable when I was able to apply it to something I cared about like my time spent working with clients and the community.
Doing the MSc online allowed me to continue in my professional roles, whilst also re-immersing myself in psychological theory and research. It was a win-win! I very much enjoyed conducting research on memory distortions, perception biases, and lived experiences of self-harm. Half of my time on the MSc was spent during pandemic lockdowns, and it was great to remain busy and connected with others during such a difficult time.
The completion of my master’s in 2021 and my subsequent studies in Psychosexual Therapy strengthened my application for a Doctorate of Psychology in Counselling Psychology. I successfully enrolled in September 2022 in Glasgow.
Doing a PhD in Psychology while working full-time
Currently, I am in stage 2 of my Doctorate and hope to begin stage 3 this September. I am fortunate to remain employed by Aberdeen Foyer, supervising and delivering a therapy service within the community and HMP Grampian. Additionally, I am a safeTALK and ASIST Trainer, and I recently began an Honorary Trainee Counselling Psychologist role within NHS Grampian.
I am so glad that I chose to return to study Psychology. When you have a negative or challenging experience in education, it is easy to think that you are a “bad” student, or not suited to higher education. We can be our own worst critic, but it is so important to not underestimate yourself or try to predict what the future does, or does not, have in store for you. Do what you love or what inspires you. Be open to the possibility that this may change over time, just as we too, are changing.
Christy Sandbergen
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