Weaterton, Sioned and Williams, Marc
2026.
Is clinical psychology accessible to Welsh speakers?
Clinical Psychology Forum
399
, pp. 105-111.
10.53841/bpscpf.2026.1.399.105
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Abstract
This service evaluation examined whether Welsh speakers are adequately represented within the South Wales Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) programme and, by extension, within the clinical psychology workforce in Wales. Although 17–18% of the Welsh population can speak Welsh, Freedom of Information responses from Health Boards in Wales indicated that only around 10% of clinical psychologists report Welsh language ability, with some areas falling below 5%. Consultations with Welsh speaking psychologists highlighted the scarcity of Welsh medium provision in NHS services, with some clients seeking private therapy to access support in their preferred language. Existing initiatives, such as the Cam i Fyny Welsh-language mentoring scheme (a joint initiative between north and south Wales DClinPsy programmes), Welsh language classes for trainees, and a Welsh-medium reflective space are promising steps in the right direction. The evaluation concludes that the shortfall in Welsh speaking trainees primarily reflects low application numbers rather than inequities in selection. Earlier outreach to Welsh medium schools and targeted engagement with Welsh speaking Psychology undergraduates are potential solutions to explore. Expanding such initiatives could help ensure that psychological services in Wales better meet the linguistic preferences and legal entitlements of Welsh speaking service users.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Psychology |
| Additional Information: | RRS policy applied |
| Publisher: | The British Psychological Society |
| ISSN: | 1747-5732 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 2 September 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Sep 2026 09:00 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189140 |
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