David Murphy
@clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
690 followers 57 following 28 posts
Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK | 35+Yrs @NHS 💙 | 2019-20 President of the British Psychological Society | ❤️ Developing future leaders, valuing diversity, & promoting inclusion.
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clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Such a privilege to be part of a @plymuni.bsky.social
inter-professional learning event yesterday which brought together students from across different health programmes to work together with experts by experience with a range of physical & mental health issues, with help from Well Connected SW
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
After many years arguing that professional accreditation in psychology should be only doctoral level, the American Psychological Association has announced it will begin accrediting masters-level professionals, although they won't be able to use the title "Psychologist" www.apa.org/education-ca...
www.apa.org
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
I have just published a new, updated version of my YouTube video "Deciding where to apply for UK Clinical Psychology Training". I hope its helpful.
▶️ youtu.be/tOBqAPQHcYs
youtu.be
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
The 2026 Entry Clinical Psychology Training Alternative Handbook has been published today. It contains in-depth perspectives from almost 1,500 current trainees who participated. It really is an invaluable resource for applicants & courses.https://www.bps.org.uk/dcp-alternative-handbook
The Alternative Handbook 2025-2026 | BPS
Trainee perspectives on clinical psychology courses
www.bps.org.uk
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Just back from my annual trip up to Edinburgh for the start of the festivals. My Fringe theatre recommendations are Ordinary Decent Criminal, Miles, & Paldem, all at Summerhall. Make it Happen at EIF is great if you can get tix. For some great music, I highly recommend Women in Rock www.edfringe.com
Reposted by David Murphy
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Practitioner psychologists became regulated by The HCPC in July 2009. Since then the number of registered psychologists has increased every year and, at the end of 2024, crossed the 30,000 mark for the first time (~80% increase in 15 years) making it one of the fastest-growing UK health professions🚀
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
On this day 20 years ago, 52 Londoners, of 18 different nationalities, were killed in 7/7 bombings. Nearly 800 more were injured, many of whom continue to live with the physical & psychological consequences of that day. Remembering them all and their families today🌺.
Reposted by David Murphy
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Excited to see a preview of the new BBC series "Reunion" this eve. The bilingual spoken English/BSL series, written by deaf writer William Mager, had a mixed deaf/hearing crew, a cast of brilliant deaf & hearing actors &, above all, is a gripping story.
📺 Monday 7th 9pm
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Excited to see a preview of the new BBC series "Reunion" this eve. The bilingual spoken English/BSL series, written by deaf writer William Mager, had a mixed deaf/hearing crew, a cast of brilliant deaf & hearing actors &, above all, is a gripping story.
📺 Monday 7th 9pm
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Such a privilege to attend a live recording of Michelle Obama
& her brother Craig Robinson's new podcast IMO here at SXSW. Really interesting, & timely, discussion about fostering hope in challenging times with Yale Professor of Psychology, Laurie Santos. I highly recommend subscribing imopod.com
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
However, what the study did show was that smartphone use across all students, WAS associated with higher anxiety & depression + lower attainment. However, that wasnt mentioned in the press release. What this important area needs is quality longitudinal, ideally RCT, studies not headline chasing. 5/5
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Most schools had only introduced their restrictions in the past 2 years, & half the participants were in year 8 so had only been at secondary school for a year anyway. No one would expect there to be significant differences between schools in wellbeing & attainment (esp measured so crudely). 4/5
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
We might expect lower use to be associated with higher social interaction & maybe less bullying at breaks, but these wasn't measured at all. The main measures were wellbeing (EWBS) & a yes/no response from the form teacher about whether they were performing "to expected grade" in Maths & English 3/5
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
It compared 20 schools which had restrictive policies with 10 schools that were more permissive. Students in the former used smartphones on average for 10 mins during the school day vs 1 hr in the latter. Outside of school hours there was no sig. difference i.e. there was no compensation effect. 2/5
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
This study from Birmingham Uni has been widely covered in the legacy media today. However, the headlines are completely unfounded on the basis of the study. In fact, the study wasnt a controlled trial but a cross sectional comparsion study. 1/5 www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/...
School phone bans DON'T work, scientists say
For parents worried about their teens' smartphone use, banning phones in schools may seem like an obvious solution. But a study suggests that school phone bans don't produce any positive effects.
www.dailymail.co.uk
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Healthcare support workers arent registered so there isnt an equivalent source of data but the issue with nurses isn't lack of jobs, there is a huge current vacancy rate, or lack of training places. The issue is recruitment into training, and retention in the profession even through training.
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
The graph below shows the change in the number of other health professions over the past 15 years for comparison. Practitioner psychologists were the 3rd fastest-growing group. Paramedics grew fastest, but it's concerning there are fewer podiatrists, & only 14% more nurses, today than 15 years ago.
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Practitioner psychologists became regulated by The HCPC in July 2009. Since then the number of registered psychologists has increased every year and, at the end of 2024, crossed the 30,000 mark for the first time (~80% increase in 15 years) making it one of the fastest-growing UK health professions🚀
Reposted by David Murphy
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
You werent the first or the last to do that! All good here thanks, hope things are going well for you down there. So pleased to learn that you're involved in clinical psychology training now, I'm sure you are an inspiring teacher ☺️
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
I know that feeling well!! Although, if the rest of the UniSC team are as brilliant as you, then I cant imagine any of them turning down their offer!
Reposted by David Murphy
sjblakemore.bsky.social
I wrote an article about my dad's death, and how it affected my views on assisted dying, published in the Times

Free version here
clinpsychdavid.bsky.social
Published today (Open Access) Dr Emily Shipwright's powerful study conducted at Plymouth University on the long-term adverse effects after ECT. In the words of one participant “The Procedure Went Well, but You’ve Killed the Patient” journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...