This series, now starting its second year, supports undergraduates pursuing clinical and applied psychology careers.

The Clinical Psychology Conversation series, run by Professor Elizabeth Thompson, or “Dr. T,” as she is called by students, provides resources for students at every step of their career journeys.

Thompson, who joined CoPsy in the fall of 2024, described her role as both “teaching clinically-focused classes… and advising students who are interested in either clinical psychology or more applied psychology careers” These pursuits may range from social work to psychiatry, she added, so long as they engage with patients.

Her courses, which include CPSY 0702: “Introduction to Clinical Psychology” and CPSY 1702: “Psychological Assessment,” provide both inspiration and participation for the series. In these courses, she teaches about skills and concepts related to clinical psychology, often providing students with their first exposure to the field.

Mara Durán-Clark ’27 shared, “As someone interested in working in clinical psychology, I am very grateful that Dr. T is so committed to helping concentrators navigate the field. It is only after attending her series that I felt confident enough to apply to a research lab at Brown and apply for a job as a childcare counselor at a residential psychiatric facility.”

Each semester, the series addresses what students are curious about at that moment in time. In the fall of 2024, the sessions focused on distinguishing the different types of careers and degrees (PhD, PsyD, master’s) related to clinical psychology. Contrastingly, in the spring of 2025, students expressed curiosity in the day-to-day life of clinical psychologists, and Thompson developed a guest series that explored intersections of research, clinical practice, and teaching.

In every cycle, students receive career and graduate application advice, resources for cultivating a resume and finding opportunities in clinical research labs, and time to voice their questions. “A couple sessions [per semester],” Thompson shared, “focus more on the very practical ‘how do I get the experiences that are going to get me where I want to go?’”

Thompson began taking clinical psychology classes and working with clients experiencing early dementia while she was an undergraduate. “I was just very open to experiences, tried out a lot of different things, and that narrowed my path down towards its clinical program,” she reflected.

With this approach in mind, Thompson welcomes any undergraduates considering a psychology career to attend the series. The conversations are primarily intended for those who want to work with clinical populations, but, she emphasized, they are also an opportunity for students to receive support while exploring a range of paths in psychology. 

“It’s an information gathering process,” she said. “I would like students to come away with an understanding of what these applied fields look like and what the steps are [to get to that end goal]. I certainly think it can be helpful for students who ultimately decide they don't want to do it as well. It helps to rule out pathways that aren't going to fit.”

In addition to the series, she also hosts individual clinical advising hours and a small workshop for those pursuing graduate school to develop their applications.

“I think it's a good way to give advice to a small group of people who have very similar goals,” Thompson added. “It also gives students an opportunity to share materials and bring them back for each other.”

As the series enters its third semester, it continues to grow with student input. Thompson often works in collaboration with the CoPsy DUGs to facilitate learning opportunities, and “if students have ideas about how we can support their growth as future psychologists in any domain,” she shared, “I'm very open to [them].” 

“Dr. T is very receptive to what students want to learn about,” Durán-Clark added, “And her dedication to helping students is clear. If you're interested in clinical psych at all, make the time to attend!"

Students interested in the Clinical Psychology Conversation Series can fill out this form for more information.