A specialist psychology service for people with diabetes, respiratory conditions, and coronary heart disease.

What we do

We are a team of psychological therapists and psychologists working with patients who have been diagnosed with a long-term health condition i.e. diabetes, cardiac, respiratory conditions. We understand that having a long-term health condition can have a serious or unpleasant impact on your day-to-day life. Seeing a psychological therapist is helpful for many people.

Difficulties people bring to therapy:

• Feeling frustrated
• Low mood / loss of interest
• Feeling stuck, hopeless, or lost
• Feeling overwhelmed/ loss of control
• Relationship difficulties due to the illness
• Feeling different, isolated, or lonely
• Feeling a burden on others
• Feeling afraid, worried or stressed
• Sleep difficulties
• Adjustment difficulties
• Uncertainty surrounding the physical condition
• Affects of trauma

Treatment

During your first session you will have the opportunity to discuss your needs or difficulties, what you would like to achieve or change through therapy. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions and share any thoughts about this process.

We can offer weekly sessions or review follow up appointments according to your needs and this will be discussed with you.

We will help by:

• Working on a collaborative psychological assessment
• Negotiating a treatment plan and interventions
• Exploring strengths
• Developing new coping skills
• Talking about concerns
• Building on support systems
• Finding long-term solutions and avoiding short-term fixes
• Supporting carers and partners
• Considering resources that may be helpful
• Signposting to other services

Referrals

We take referrals for patients who are seen under the Long-Term Conditions Service at Porters Avenue. Referrals are only accepted within the team at Porters Avenue. Patient self-referrals are not accepted. For more information, please contact us at ClinicalHealthPsychology@nelft.nhs.uk.