Our Psychology Service provides specialist assessments and evidence-based care to help patients in managing emotional, cognitive, or behavioural concerns that impact their health and wellbeing.
Our service includes Clinical Psychologists, Health Psychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists who work across several Northern Health programs.
Clinical and Health Psychologists focus on the connection between physical and emotional health. They can help you in a variety of ways:
- Adjustment to a diagnosis, treatment, or changes in everyday function due to illness
- Managing emotions such as stress, anxiety, worry, low mood, grief, and loss
- Support to manage sleep problems, persistent pain, and specific fears like falling
Clinical Neuropsychologists focus on how the brain works. They can help you by:
- Identifying strengths and challenges in memory and thinking skills
- Identifying changes in behaviour and emotion
- Using this information to assist with diagnosis and treatment recommendations/planning
- Providing consultation and interventions to assist with changes related to brain injury or illness
What to expect from the service?
Clinical and Health Psychologists
Initial contact with the psychologist may be by phone or clinic appointment. The psychologist will discuss the types of issues you may be experiencing, the impact of these, and how you feel you are managing at present. After an initial assessment, your psychologist will develop a treatment plan with you and discuss whether further support is needed. Psychological support can vary from single session therapy to more regular ongoing therapy sessions. It may be provided via telephone, video, inpatient, outpatient, or group support.
Clinical Neuropsychologists
A neuropsychological assessment involves an interview and a number of ‘paper and pencil’ tests designed to examine different areas of thinking and memory. An assessment usually takes around two to three hours. People are usually seen on their own during the assessment or with a support person. The neuropsychologist will speak to people who know you well such as family, friends or other health care professionals.
A neurobehavioural assessment involves observations and interviews with yourself and those that know you well to identify any changes in behaviour following illness or injury. These assessments can then be used to provide strategies and develop skills to help with memory, thinking or behaviour concerns.
