Psychological Professions Week 2022 - What Psychological Professions Week means to Dr Rachel McGowan, Senior University Clinical Teacher / Clinical Psychologist

Dr Rachel McGowan

Senior University Clinical Teacher / Clinical Psychologist
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme

Department of Primary Care and Mental Health 

Institute of Population Health

University of Liverpool

I am very much looking forward to being part of the PPWeek22 and in particularly the opportunities the event offers to meet with, and learn from, like minded others who have a care for, and interest in, understanding and improving psychological wellbeing. 

The inclusion of a wide range of contributors to the week’s learning is particularly appealing and feels quite niche! Working as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS and as a tutor on the clinical psychology course it is important to me to celebrate the different perspectives and experiences that others bring, either through lived experiences, other professional backgrounds and through voluntary and charitable organisations.  This 'coming together' of different backgrounds feels especially important given the increased economic challenges faced in having mental health and working with mental health and in developing psychologically minded services.

Topics of interest are those on increasing equality and diversity (Wednesday afternoon) within the psychological professions and work with experts by experiences (Tuesday afternoon). I have been lucky within my role as a course tutor to have increasing involvement with our team of Liverpool Experts by Experience and see how much their passion and knowledge enhance and improve our trainee psychologists’ development, as well as my own continuing development. 

My clinical work is in Gastroenterology so thinking about psychological practice in physical health care (Friday morning) is also a session I am hoping to be able to take a lot from and apply to my own clinical work and service development. 

If you would like to attend some, or all, of the sessions, during the Psychological Professions Week, between the 14^th and 18^th November, please register, for free, here: PPN (ppweek22.com)

Or if you would like to become a member of the PPN and receive regular updates and newsletters about the psychological professions, please sign up here: PPN - Why join us?