Assistant Psychologist Caitlin

Meet Caitlin, an Assistant Psychologist in Forensic Services at the Newsam Centre

• Name: Caitlin Wadsworth
• Role: Assistant Psychologist
• Service: Forensic Services at the Newsam Centre

What made you choose this career?

I first got interested in Psychology at college, though I wasn’t sure what job I wanted to do. That uncertainty continued through university, where I studied Psychology. I just knew I wanted to help people using psychological theory. To get more experience, I started volunteering—supporting people in crisis and delivering training at a women’s prison. At first, I wanted to become a forensic psychologist, but that changed when I worked as a support worker in a mental health rehab setting. That’s when I realised I enjoyed working with all kinds of people, not just those in the criminal justice system. I really like working with complex cases, being part of a team, and working on the ward.

What does your day-to-day work involve?

I’m lucky that my role is so varied—it gives me lots of different experiences. I work across three wards, which means I get involved in many parts of the job. I join team discussions to help understand patients’ needs and take part in HCR-20 meetings, which are risk assessments done with the whole team. I also go to meetings about the people I support to share updates on how they’re doing. My job includes one-to-one work, running group sessions, doing service audits, writing reports and discharge letters, and helping with training. I’ve tried to make the most of this role to build up my skills.

How has your career progressed since qualifying?

I’m not a qualified psychologist yet, but I hope to become a clinical psychologist in the future. In my current role, I’ve grown in confidence and developed my therapy skills, especially in building good relationships with both patients and professionals. One area I wanted to improve was public speaking, and I’ve had chances to do that—like attending meetings, running training, leading the Assistant Psychologist group, and sharing psychological ideas in discussions.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

It’s hard to pick just one thing because I enjoy the variety—it keeps me motivated as I work towards becoming a psychologist. But the most rewarding part is building relationships with patients and team members. These relationships are the foundation of my work. If I had to choose one thing, it would be working one-to-one with patients—creating shared understanding through formulation and setting goals together. I feel honoured when people trust me and share their stories. I’ve worked with a wide range of people, including men and women from different cultural backgrounds and marginalised groups. I really value working together with patients, making sure they’re involved in decisions about their care, especially in forensic settings where power imbalances can be a challenge. Balancing all these things can be tough, but they’re my favourite parts of the job!

What qualifications did you need for this role?

I did an undergraduate degree in Psychology and then a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology.

Any advice for someone wanting to get into this career?

Psychology is a rewarding but challenging career—it takes passion and self-kindness. It’s a tough journey and you’ll probably face rejection and setbacks, but that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It’s just a competitive field. Try to embrace the journey, even when it’s hard, and appreciate where you are right now. I know it’s tempting to rush into gaining experience and getting roles to move forward, but I’ve found that taking time to reflect on my experiences has been really valuable. Every step has helped me get to where I am today.