From Foster Care to Clinical Psychology: Jacob’s Story of Survival & Hope

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore what it really means to be care experienced and how early experiences of foster care and the care system can shape identity, relationships, and career journeys into clinical psychology. I’m joined by Jacob Maspero Bottaio, one of the youngest trainee clinical psychologists in the UK, who shares his experience of entering the care system at a young age, moving between foster placements, experiencing a failed adoption, and navigating the emotional and systemic barriers on the path to clinical psychology training. Together, we discuss care experience, hyper-independence, attachment, supervision dynamics, readiness for training, and what compassionate inclusion in psychology genuinely looks like. This is a thoughtful, emotionally rich conversation about resilience, systems, safety, and what it takes to feel able to lean on others after a lifetime of survival. This episode is especially relevant for aspiring psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, supervisors, and anyone interested in widening access to clinical psychology with compassion rather than tokenism. Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Jacob’s early life in the care system and why his story matters 01:50 – Defining “care experienced” and why it’s broader than people think 03:26 – Why care experience can make psychology careers harder to access 05:29 – Disclosure, stigma, and fear of how lived experience will be received 07:26 – Financial and systemic barriers before training even begins 10:53 – Hyper-independence, driving, and needing control over your future 15:06 – Growing up fast and being “older than your years” 18:27 – Forever people, attachment, and learning to exhale 22:59 – Safety, the amygdala, and relearning trust 27:15 – Adoption, systems, and not being asked what you want 32:35 – Supervision styles, boundaries, and relational triggers 39:46 – Readiness for training and compassion toward yourself 47:35 – Repair, relationships, and what Jacob hopes for others 🔔 Subscribe for More Psychology Insights! 👉 Never miss an episode: Subscribe now 📚 My Books on Amazon 📖 The Grief Collective → https://amzn.to/4hNHru5 📖 The Clinical Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/3ErIEJs 📖 The Aspiring Psychologist Collective → https://amzn.to/4jSxc9N 📖 Talking Heads: Stories of Psychology & Mental Health → https://amzn.to/3EvbKaN 📖 An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals → https://amzn.to/3WXBpz9 🎧 Stay Connected With Me 🌍 Aspiring Psychologists Website: www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk 🌍 Good Thinking Psychology Website: www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk 💼 LinkedIn: Dr Marianne Trent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marianne-trent-psychology/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodThinkingPsychologicalServices 🐦 Twitter/X: @DrMarianneTrent 📸 Instagram: @DrMarianneTrent 🎵 TikTok: @DrMarianneTrent 📩 Business & Collaboration Enquiries ✉️ Email: Info@GoodThinkingPsychology.co.uk ⚡ Want More? Check These Out! 🔹 Join the Aspiring Psychologist Membership: Learn more here 🔹 Download my FREE Psychology Success Guide: Grab your copy here ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. 💡 Want to support the channel? Like, comment, and share this video! © Dr Marianne Trent