Psychologists work with people who are experiencing difficulties in their life and would like some help in coping with them.

Psychologists do not prescribe medication, they help by listening carefully and trying to help you make sense of your difficulties.

They study the human mind and behaviour: how we think, feel, act, and interact individually and in groups.

Psychologists work with people on a one-to-one basis as well as delivering group programmes. They may also work indirectly by supporting other staff engaged with the patient.

Clinical psychologists can help with:

  • anxiety
  • low mood
  • traumatic events
  • sleep difficulties
  • problems with anger or assertiveness
  • relationship difficulties
  • phobias
  • worries or concerns
  • coping with treatment
  • stress management
  • unusual thoughts or experiences

Seeing a psychologist could help with finding new ways of coping and with learning some new skills to help do this. Psychologists can also meet with carers, if you feel that would be beneficial.

 

Consent and Confidentiality

The Psychologist will usually only see you if you have given your permission (consent). You can opt out of seeing them at any time. Anything you say is treated with the strictest confidence and will only be shared with other members of the clinical team, and with other people involved in your healthcare (such as your Community Psychiatric Nurse or GP).

The only exception to this would be if the team believed that there was a significant risk you would seriously harm yourself or others, or information was obtained about possible harm to vulnerable people, such as children.

 

How to contact psychology

You can directly approach the psychology team member working on your ward, or you can ask any other member of the ward staff to refer you to the psychologist.

It may not always be possible to be seen immediately.

The psychology service is delivered between Monday and Friday.

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