After a string of internships, ACU post-grad Ahmed Tohamy unlocked his dream gig – supporting the mental health of young people and their families
As a kid Ahmed was always passionate about helping others, and with mental health rarely talked about in his community, he could tell there was an opportunity to make a real difference – particularly for kids.
“I’ve always been interested in family functioning, and the struggles of adolescent mental health… for me [psychology] was a very good chance to radically change a young person’s life trajectory for the better,” Ahmed says.
Determined to achieve his career goals, the keen undergrad embarked on a lengthy study journey, enrolling in a Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNSW, which he followed up with a Master of Professional Psychology at Western Sydney University.
He peppered his pathway with a string of internships at mental health departments, setting him up for success as a psychologist before deciding to study again – a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at ACU.
“It was then that I was really able to engage in discussions as I could combine theory with the practical experience that I had already gained,” he says. “ I learned so much with the two combined!”
Work of art
These days, with his clinical qualifications, Ahmed is living out his career dreams – changing the lives of young people as a clinical psychologist at the Wollongong Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
He regularly relies on the research he was introduced to as a postgrad, backboning sessions and interventions with the advanced theoretical concepts he picked up at ACU.
His biggest takeaway? Psychology is an art!
“Theory is important, but clinical practice is a combination of science and art,” he stresses. “The art – that comes with practice.”
A day in the life of a clinical psychologist
Forget routine, for a clinical psych no day (or patient) is the same
8:30am – 10am
Get ready for the day! Respond to emails, check calendar, prep for assessments and sessions and make any phone calls
10am
Assessment with a young client. “There’s no rule book and my clients are highly complex!”
12 noon
Multi-disciplinary team meeting
1pm – 2pm
Attend a school meeting for a young student client
2pm -3pm
Parent/family session. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to do real, intensive work with families.”
3pm -4pm
Joint review of a client with a psychiatrist
4pm
Psychotherapy session with a young person. “I’m always having to think on my feet and adapt!”
Ahmed’s study and career path to becoming a clinical psychologist
- Bachelor of Psychological Science, UNSW
- Masters of Professional Psychology, Western Sydney University
- Intern, Penrith Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service
- Master of Psychology (Clinical), ACU
- Intern, Concord General Repatriation Hospital Psychology Department
- Clinical psychologist, Wollongong Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service
This article originally appeared in the Careers with STEM: Psychologist job kit, sponsored by the Australian Catholic University.
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