Abstract
Several barriers to accessing Clinical Psychology (CP) training for people from racially
minoritised backgrounds have been highlighted over the years, predominantly in grey literature.
Yet the current state of empirical research is unknown. Part one of this thesis presents a narrative
review investigating the empirical evidence suggesting people from racially minoritised
backgrounds are faced with barriers on their journey to accessing CP training in the UK. Only
four empirical studies were identified explicitly investigating barriers to access. The following
themes were drawn from the data: (1) The Influence of Culture and Community; (2) Reduced
Access to Opportunities and Information; (3) Discrimination; and (4) The Whiteness of CP. The
review highlights consistency in conversations regarding barriers to access across a 25 year
period and the need for further empirical research. It is not possible to diversify the profession
without knowing what challenges racially minoritised groups are faced with when attempting to
access CP training.
Part two presents the empirical paper which aimed to further understand the barriers to
accessing CP training for people from racially minoritised groups. The application of
Q-methodology allowed the significance of barriers to be determined. Thirty-three Aspiring Clinical
Psychologists (ACPs) from different racially minoritised backgrounds participated in an online
Q-sort. The Q-sort required the sorting of 47 statements representing potential barriers to
accessing training for people from racially minoritised groups. Participants were asked to sort the
statements in relation to one another on a grid based on whether they believed each statement was
most likely or least likely to present as a barrier to them accessing training. Three factors were
extracted from the data highlighting nuanced perspectives. The findings suggest barriers to access
are likely to differ for people from different racially minoritised communities and be present
throughout an individual’s life. Widening access schemes should be tailored to recognise the
varying needs of different racially minoritised groups at different points on their journey to CP
training.