Hi, I am an American citizen considering pursuing doctoral
qualifications in the U.K.  My interest is in clinical psychology and
I will be based here in the U.K. from now on.  I seem not to qualify
for most D.Clin.Psy programs because they are administered by the
Clearing House which only grants admission to people who don't require
a work permit to work in the U.K.  My question therefore has two
parts:
1) Are there any top schools offering a D.Clin.Psy in the
London/Oxford/Cambridge area without admission administered by the
Clearing House?
and 
2) Can you see patients in private practice in the U.K. with a Ph.D in
psychology??

Thanks for any light you can shed on this one!!!

Quite a complicated situation, but you have my sympathy. 

Refering to your first question.

The majority of courses that offer the Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology go through the clearing house. This year there was a small
course run by the University of Essex that was independent, but this
may not be the case next year. You will have to be eligible for
Graduate Basis for Registration in anycase and have a work permit.
This is because you will be working for the NHS, as clinical
psychology training is fully funded, (we are considered employees),
here in addition to being a doctoral qualification.

Clinical Psychology training in the UK is ferocious, but the courses
around London and Oxford have the highest number of applicants. For
example, UCL had over 700 applicants for about 40 places. Most
applicants have high qualification undergraduate degrees, clinical
experience and some have Masters and PhDs.

With regards to your second question:

Although licensure is not mandatory as it is in the states (although
it is heading that way),you normally cannot see clients in the UK with
a PhD in psychology. Normally accreditted therapists have to be
approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS)or British
association for counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).It is possible to
sit for a (BPS)Statement of Equivelence, which is what foreign trained
clinical psychologists have to pass in order to have their
qualifications recognised, and to practice. This is very tough.

Not to be too pessimistic, there are things you can do though. It is
possible to do a 3 year Doctorate in Counselling and Psychodynamic
psychology, which you will have to pay for, but can get you into a
similar working environment to clincal psychologists. You could do
other approved courses to obtain therapist accreditation (diplomas,
masters etc).

I hope this has helped. There is also an excellent website for
aspiring/training clinical psychologists at
http://www.psyclick.org.uk/. The forum there is very friendly and are
used to dealing with such queries.

All the best

Spatch