Ethan took his passion for Forensic Psychology to the next level by studying an MSc

Ethan’s passion for studying psychology came from his desire to help the most vulnerable and misunderstood members of society. He said: "I've had a lifelong intrigue regarding what leads individuals to commit crime, and a passion for finding the best ways to support them to desist."

When it came to deciding where Ethan would continue this important chapter of his life, he chose UCLan, citing a great ‘ethos and commitment to supporting students through positive, proactive means’. He went on to say: "the recognition of the importance of both practise-informed-research and research-informed-practise, from some of the most prestigious names in the field, was a pull too great to ignore."

The last year has seen Ethan immerse himself in the world of Forensic Psychology, spending eight weeks working with a client who had a brain injury as a personal programme assistant, as well as intermittently working as a care assistant, alongside full-time study.

The hard work has however paid off. This month Ethan will be starting his new job as an Interventions Facilitator at HMP Frankland, a role that will see him ‘facilitating and co-facilitating both individual and group programmes for service users with a range of complex needs within the prison environment.’

When asked about how his time at UCLan has prepared him for this role, Ethan said: "I will have the theory base, experience, and character to excel in this work, and I put a lot of that down to what I have learnt during formal studies at UCLan, as well as through conversations with, and anecdotes from, staff members."

He continued: "Having already started working in secure services before commencing my MSc, I felt that I did not have as much knowledge about the service users, their needs, and what led them to be in the position they are now. My time at UCLan gave me the theoretical knowledge and confidence to have more in-depth meaningful conversations, provide input into how to approach specific users, and have self-belief to tackle difficult scenarios."

Ethan also spoke about how his experiences as a service user have given him a greater insight into the area. He said: "Having suffered various bereavements and difficult life experiences, I have intermittently accessed psychological therapies throughout my teens and early twenties, giving me an understanding for their importance and effectiveness. My positive, and sometimes not so positive, experiences with practitioners gave me an insight into what methods and techniques were effective for me, furthering my desire to support others in a similar manner."

Reflecting on his time at UCLan, Ethan offered this advice for current students: "If there are any areas of studying that you find difficult, talk to your friends, family, and tutors about it. Getting advice and support from others kept me on the right track through my education, and there is no shame in asking for help; in fact, you will struggle to overcome obstacles without it."

He went on to say: "I cannot not recommend the MSc Forensic Psychology programme at UCLan enough and will be eternally grateful for the kind-hearted and passionate approach all staff members within the School take to ensuring students are prepared for not only the workplace, but also for their personal lives."