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Isabella Castro

From Psychology Undergraduate to Clinical Psychologist

Last updated: Dec 23, 2024

Clinical Psychologist in Mental Health · Buenos Aires, Argentina

Psychology graduate to clinical practice — built a sustainable career in mental health when the field still felt fringe. Telling the real career story including the years of unpaid hours, my own therapy, and what a sustainable independent practice looks like.

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Career Timeline

Education2003-2006
Psychology Undergraduate
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Chose psychology because a school counsellor changed my life at 16. Graduated with first-class honours and an undergraduate research project.
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ContextChose psychology because a school counsellor changed my life at 16. Graduated with first-class honours and an undergraduate research project.
ChallengesMost peers viewed psychology as a backup; not a career. Career counselling at home was hostile to the field.
LearningsPsychology is misunderstood until you need it. Then it is the most practical field on the planet.
Skills acquired
Cognitive psychologyresearch methodsbasic counselling skillsstatistics
Higher Studies2006-2008
M.A. + M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Trainee
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Two-year M.A. plus the supervised M.Phil. with hundreds of clinical hours. Worked with psychiatric in-patients for the first time.
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ContextTwo-year M.A. plus the supervised M.Phil. with hundreds of clinical hours. Worked with psychiatric in-patients for the first time.
ChallengesVicarious trauma. The training programs do not prepare you for the weight of holding other people's pain professionally.
LearningsA therapist needs their own therapist. This is the rule, not the exception.
Skills acquired
Diagnostic assessmentCBTDBTsupervised clinical hourscase formulation
First Job2008-2011
Hospital Psychologist
Mental health hospital
Three years in a hospital setting. Severe presentations, short consultation slots, working under psychiatrists who were generous with teaching.
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ContextThree years in a hospital setting. Severe presentations, short consultation slots, working under psychiatrists who were generous with teaching.
ChallengesVolume vs depth. You see twelve patients in a day; you take six home with you mentally.
LearningsBoundaries are clinical skills. So is rest.
Skills acquired
Inpatient assessmentcrisis interventionmultidisciplinary team workdocumentation
Startup Launch2011-Present
Independent Clinical Psychologist
Private practice
Opened a private practice. Mix of in-person and online clients. Reserve afternoons for supervision and writing.
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ContextOpened a private practice. Mix of in-person and online clients. Reserve afternoons for supervision and writing.
ChallengesSetting fees that respect my work without excluding clients. Saying no to evening hours protects the next decade of my career.
LearningsAn independent practice is a small business with high emotional overhead. Treat it as both.
OutcomeSteady caseload, two trainees under supervision, monthly writing about mental health for a national publication.
Skills acquired
Practice managementmarketing for therapistsonline therapy platformspeer supervisionsupervising trainees
AdviceTherapy is a career change-friendly field — many of my best peers came from teaching, social work, even engineering. Late starts are not handicaps here.

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Isabella Castro

Career Timeline

Psychology Undergraduate

M.A. + M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Trainee

Hospital Psychologist

Independent Clinical Psychologist

Reflections & Questions from Readers