More Information

HPC Registered clinical psychologists working with adults with psychological disorders/conditions deliver this service across a range of venues across the south of England.

Depending upon the condition, our service includes detailed assessment, delivery of evidence based psychological therapies for individuals and families. It also includes advice and consultation to clinical teams, other agencies and professionals. Given the long term nature of some complex adult psychological difficulties, review, longer term monitoring and reassessments are offered.

What are the benefits to the client & referrer?

• Provision of expert reports to the courts
• Improve clinical decision making in complex cases including risk assessment and management plans
• Increase cost-effective use of psychological treatment(s)
• Advise multi-disciplinary teams regarding psychological disorders and problems in community settings, reducing hospital admissions and social isolation
• Support, supervise and train therapists working with people and families with complex psychological difficulties

• Assist people to effectively manage periods of significant change, transition and change
• Support effective/safe parenting and improved psychological/social functioning
• Provide psychological treatment using individualised formulation of complex conditions and problems using a range of therapeutic approaches
• Promote confidence, independence and symptom reduction

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know if I need to see a Clinical Psychologist?

  You might be ‘referred’ by a health care professional (e.g. GP, nurse, therapist or medical consultant), after experiencing psychological/emotional difficulties. Following referral, a first appointment is usually offered to undertake an initial assessment to determine if further more detailed assessment, specific advice, support, treatment or follow-up is appropriate.
  
  You can ‘self refer’ by contacting us and requesting an appointment although it is often very helpful to be referred by a professional who is also familiar with your medical history and current situation.

• Who will I see?

  You will be seen by a Clinical Psychologist, with experience of mental health problems. If your condition is unusual or highly complex, a Clinical Psychologist with specialist expertise in this area is often recommended. In any case, they will be registered with the Health Professions Council.

• What will happen at the appointment?

  If you agree to the assessment, the Clinical Psychologist will assess you by clinical interview. It is likely to involve asking questions about the background to your difficulties, your thoughts/feelings about your situation or condition and how your difficulties might be interfering with your everyday life, in terms of relationships, work and your day-to-day functioning. It might necessitate more than one appointment and also involve you completing psychometric questionnaires relating to your situation.

• What will happen after this appointment?

  By the end of the appointment, you will have discussed your own thoughts and wishes and a plan of action will be agreed with you about what options may be available.
  The options might include:
  
  • Further assessment clarifying, in more detail, the difficulties that you are experiencing
  • Recommendations for psychological treatment involving further appointments. This treatment might include the use of specific psychological treatments including cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy and family based treatments.
  • Practical recommendations to help you manage your difficulties more effectively, cope with changes and risks. With your permission, this work might include other professionals involved in your care/treatment.
  • Preparation of a letter/report to the referrer which you can request a copy of.

• Will the appointments be confidential?

  The information discussed at these appointments is confidential. However, there are some specific and rare situations in which information might need to be shared with other professionals or services. This could include situations in which it is considered that you or other people are at significant risk of harm or if records of the appointments are requested by the courts via a solicitor. Any situation or request of this kind would be discussed with you before any information is shared.

• Could I get this service on the NHS?

  There are usually Clinical Psychologists in your local NHS Trust but your home address will determine what public services are available to you, where they are based and waiting times etc. You can often check this with your GP, Medical Consultant or we can investigate where you might find out this information.

• Will my health insurance cover this assessment?

  Health Insurance policies are very different in the type and level of cover provided. Some policies also specify conditions/criteria that need to be met in order for cover to be granted. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have clarified this with your insurer before confirming any appointment offered.