Our specialist clinical psychologists are embedded within the orthognathic surgery multi-disciplinary team at Barts Health NHS Trust working alongside consultant maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists to provide psychological support to patients undergoing orthognathic treatment. The service is based at two hospital sites, the Royal London hospital site in Whitechapel and Whipps Cross hospital, Leytonstone. Our aim is to provide a psychological pathway of care for patients undertaking the orthognathic surgery process, from preoperative consultation through to after surgery follow-up. This may involve assessing body image and appearance concerns, expectations and understanding of surgery, as well as any mental health concerns that may impact on the treatment process.

Where necessary, we can provide tailored support to patients and their families in advance of and along the surgical and treatment pathway. This is in the aim of promoting adherence to treatment and postoperative adjustment to the changed appearance which will improve psychosocial outcomes for all patients.

We welcome referrals for new patients at the beginning of their treatment, as well as patients at other points along the pathway.

Meet the team: Charlotte Priestley, clinical psychologist

I am a Clinical Psychologist currently working within the new Orthognathic Psychology service based at the Royal  London and Whipps Cross hospitals. I trained at the University of Sheffield and qualified in 2014. I have worked across a range of settings including older adult and adult mental health, Eating Disorders and Bariatric and Weight loss services. I have a keen interest in supporting people who experience appearance-related distress and use a variety of psychological approaches to address the issues they face, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic informed Therapy (CAT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I am particularly interested in how body image and adjustment can be influenced by physical illness and surgical procedures, and how psychological interventions can be used to improve mental health outcomes throughout people’s healthcare journeys. 

Meet the team: Jamie Kapoor, assistant psychologist

Graduating in 2017 for my BSc (Hons) I have been working towards doing my doctorate in clinical psychology as soon as I can. I have worked in many areas of psychology to gain experience to help me along my journey. I did lots of voluntary work with the NELFT service helping with research and attending different therapy sessions and helping out where I could.

I have been working in the dementia section of a care home for a while putting my psychological knowledge to good use in helping staff and families understand dementia a bit better.

I have had a huge passion for clinical psychology that only grows larger each day. I have a personal interest in the orthognathic side of psychology as I myself have gone through the treatment and personally understand the toll it can take on one’s psyche. I intend to put my full amount of passion and knowledge into attempting to help as many people suffering as possible.

Contact us

Royal London Dental Hospital
Turner Street
E1 1FR

Whipps Cross Hospital
Whipps Cross Road
E11 1NR

Tel: 0300 555 1158, ext. 57918
Email: dotpsychology@nelft.nhs.uk

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm