Show Notes for The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast Episode 148: What is an Assistant Psychologist and What do they do? In this episode of the Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Marianne Trent is joined by assistant psychologist Luke Meakin to discuss the often ambiguous role of an assistant psychologist. They dive deep into the responsibilities, expectations, and realities of the role, offering valuable guidance for aspiring psychologists. This episode covers the history of the assistant psychologist role, its original purpose, and how it has evolved over time. Luke shares his journey as an older applicant and the challenges of balancing diverse responsibilities within the role. Whether you’re already working as an assistant psychologist or considering the path, this episode provides a clear understanding of what the role entails, how it fits within the broader field of psychology, and the importance of supportive supervision. Key Takeaways: Understanding the true purpose and responsibilities of assistant psychologists.Navigating the complexities and expectations of the role in various settings.The importance of supportive supervision and creating a safe learning environment The Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Assistant Psychologist Roles00:21 - Host Welcome and Episode Introduction01:34 - Introducing Guest: Assistant Psychologist Luke Meakin02:33 - Discussing the Ambiguity of the Role05:09 - The Original Purpose of Assistant Psychologists07:08 - Why AP Roles Are Not Training Roles09:01 - Balancing Supervision and Clinical Responsibility10:01 - The Importance of Feeling Safe and Valued in the Role12:25 - Luke’s Journey as an Older Applicant in Psychology14:21 - The Ambiguity of Assistant Roles Across Different Services15:29 - Historical Context: The Evolution of the Role18:35 - Challenges of Unpaid and Honorary Assistant Roles21:00 - Reflecting on Personal Development and Supervision Experiences25:05 - Reducing Competition Among Assistants: Celebrating Others28:36 - Navigating Burnout and Maintaining a Work-Life Balance Links: 📲 Connect with Luke here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-meakin/ 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision 📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring...