Would you like to meet with a clinical psychologist?
Having a long-term health condition can be stressful, upsetting, and difficult to manage.
Why are there clinical psychologists in the medical teams?
Trying to fit a health condition into everyday life including work, family, and a social life is a challenge. It can be difficult to manage at times, and family can also worry. Sometimes it can feel difficult to come to terms with limitations and changes to daily life. There can be a sense of loss and grief.
Talking to a clinical psychologist can help you adjust and to understand what is going on in your life, and to live with the condition.
A clinical psychologist can help with:
- Strong emotions such as sadness, fear, anger - especially when first diagnosed.
- Anxiety relating to your condition (for example panic attacks, worry, and avoidance).
- Feeling down or depressed; having no energy or lack of sleep.
- Learning to live with and managing your condition.
- Support and technique to help you make lifestyle changes.
- Support around self-care issues.
- Managing stress and feeling overwhelmed.
- Relationship issues, sex life.
Should I contact my GP, mental health services or the Clinical Psychology team?
If you have experienced long term mental health difficulties or your main concern is not related to your health condition, then your GP or NHS Talking Therapies are likely to support you best. NHS Talking Therapies offers a variety of short-term psychological therapies for a range of mental health difficulties.
Phone: 0333 200 1892
NHS Talking Therapies also has some free, instant-access, self-help resources on the website: NHS Talking Therapies - North Somerset & South Gloucestershire
If you feel your emotional distress relates specifically to your physical health then the Clinical Psychology Team at NBT might be able to support you, or suggest something which could help.
If you would like to make an appointment with our Clinical Psychology team
Phone 0117 414 6407
Email psychologymedicine@nbt.nhs.uk
Please leave your name, phone number, and date of birth. Once you have contact us, we will arrange a conversation with you as soon as possible. When you meet the clinical psychologist for the first time you will be able to discuss what would be most helpful for you, and agree the next steps together. This can be done in person (in Southmead Hospital), or over the phone if you prefer.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2025. Review due March 2028. NBT003227