The clinical health psychology team is made up of clinical psychologists who specialise in working with adults living with health conditions. They have been specifically trained (in clinical psychology) and are professionally qualified in helping individuals to cope emotionally with physical health problems.
They are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication but instead use talking therapy. We provide a service to patients under the care of the following teams:
- Cancer
- Palliative
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Respiratory
- Dermatology
- Critical Care
- Pain Management
- Young Person's Diabetes (16-25 years old)
It is natural for medical conditions and treatment to create changes that can be distressing and the service aims to support individuals with this distress.
We provide psychological assessments and a range of psychological interventions such as one-to-one and group therapy. A variety of psychological approaches may be offered by the clinical psychologist.
Common difficulties we can support with include, but are not limited to:
- Coping with uncertainty
- Coping with treatment
- Distress about diagnosis
- Relationship strain and difficulties caused by a physical condition
- Coping with changes in how you look
- Coping with changes in role
- Loss of confidence
- Loss of pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
- Fear of death
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Low mood
- Depression
How to access the service
Referrals are usually made via the team providing your care currently. Unfortunately, we do not currently accept self-referrals.
What to expect at your appointment
Appointments last around 50-60 minutes and can take place face to face, via telephone or on a video call.
An interpreter can be arranged by us if needed. The first appointment is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and the impact of your health condition, on your life and emotions. This helps to develop an understanding of you and your needs. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires about how you are feeling. You will be asked what you would like help with. You and your clinical psychologist will make a joint plan of what will happen next.
Following your first appointment, you may agree to a further assessment session or a period of one-to-one or group psychological therapy sessions. Where the impact of the health difficulty does not appear to be the main concern, we may discuss a referral to a more appropriate service. If psychological therapy is agreed, sessions will focus on your specific goals. You and your psychologist will work together to create change and work towards these goals. The psychologist may use handouts, videos or other information within sessions. They may also suggest some tasks for you to do in between sessions.
You are welcome to bring someone with you to the first appointment. It will be important that you feel able to discuss your difficulties openly with this person present, so please consider this carefully.
A summary letter of the initial appointment will be sent to you. A copy of this letter will also be sent to the clinician who referred you, and your GP. Clinical psychologists work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and at times, it may be necessary to share some information with other colleagues. This will only happen if:
- It will improve the care that you receive
- It is necessary to refer you to another specialist
- There are situations involving risk of harm to you or another
Before sharing any information, the clinical psychologist will discuss this with you where possible.
Patient information
Clinical Health Psychology for people with gastrointestinal difficulties
Clinical Health Psychology for people with heart problems
Clinical Health Psychology for physical health problems