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Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology

How is Psychology linked to health?

Experiencing health problems can affect peoples’ lives in many different ways. Having health problems can change the way people feel about themselves and their bodies. Their lifestyle can change and people may experience feelings of loss if they have to give up education, work or hobbies. It may be a struggle to find the same enjoyment that they used to have in life.

People may also be faced with difficult choices about treatment. This can bring about changes in mood, such as anxiety and / or depression. People may feel anger or frustration. These are all very normal feelings. Health problems can also affect family life and relationships.

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Psychology is the application of psychological knowledge in practical ways to help people, with personal, emotional and health related problems.

Clinical Psychologists in hospitals are health professionals who have completed specialist training and work with people to help them cope with/ adjust to living with illness and chronic health conditions. We are also involved in research and provide teaching and training within the hospital, at the University of East Anglia and some regional events.

People with health problems may talk to Psychologists about:

  • Coping with living with a condition or illness
  • Pain management
  • Having medical procedures
  • Adherence to medicines
  • Improving Quality of Life
  • Making decisions about treatment
  • Feelings of anger, depression or anxiety
  • Wider difficulties that are impacting on their illness

To learn more about the role of a Clinical Psychologist visit the British Psychological Society (BPS) website http://www.bps.org.uk/.

Specialty Referrals

We offer psychological input for a number of health problems and take referrals from health professionals within the hospital. The departments who currently refer to Clinical Health Psychology are:

Please click on the links above for further information in relation to those departments and their contact details.

Who are we?

This hospital has a number of Clinical Psychologists working in different teams:

Adult services:

Dr Paula Christmas – Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead Psychologist for Adult Psychology, Pain Management Centre;

Dr Amy Carroll  – Clinical Psychologist, Palliative Care

Dr. Beth Roughsedge – Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Centre

Dr Elisabeth Norton – Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Centre

Dr Isabelle Straw – Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Centre

Dr Harriet Johnson – Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Centre

Dr Katherine Moran – Clinical Psychologist, Cystic Fibrosis

Dr Chloe-Ghosh-Cannell – Clinical Psychologist, Diabetes

Dr Jenny Lacey – Clinical Psychologist, Diabetes

Amelia Smith – Assistant Psychologist, Pain Management Centre

Paediatrics:

Dr Jo Derisley – Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of Clinical Psychology, Diabetes

Kiki Mastroyannopoulou, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead Psychologist for Paediatric Psychology, Rheumatology and Gastroenterology

Dr Bob Budd – Clinical Psychologist, NICU and Oncology

Dr Louise Morgan  – Clinical Psychologist, Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis and Oncology

Psychology secretary – Linda Fish (01603 287545)

What does seeing a Clinical Psychologist involve?

Clinical Psychologists provide talking therapy using a range of psychological approaches. We do not prescribe medication to patients. In the first appointment you will be asked about the history of your medical care, the way your illness affects your life at the moment and how you are coping with it. You will also be asked some background information. You and your Clinical Psychologists can then decide whether further appointments are needed. Appointments usually last 45 minutes to 1 hour.

To learn more about the role of a Clinical Psychologist visit the British Psychological Society (BPS)

How is confidentiality observed?

What you discuss in an appointment is confidential. However, a Clinical Psychologist would routinely write to a referrer to inform them of the outcome of your appointment. If you have any questions about confidentiality then you can discuss this with a Clinical Psychologist.

The Psychologist would break confidentiality only if there was a serious risk of harm to yourself or to other people.