There are many reasons why patients and their families may see someone from the cleft lip and palate psychology service.
You may see our team if you
- Are dealing with treatments and procedures 
- Need help to manage physical symptoms and pain 
- Are adjusting to a diagnosis or coping with bad news 
- Are handling emotions and anxiety 
- Need support after a trauma related to a medical condition or injury 
- Are thinking about making decisions about surgery
- Have appearance concerns and body image issues
- Need help with communication skills, confidence-building and self-esteem
- Have problems with bullying and relationships with peers
- Have worries about being in hospital or having a medical, surgical or dental procedure.
How can I access the service?
Clinical psychologists are usually involved with patients from the first time they attend an appointment with the Cleft Lip and Palate Service. This means we can introduce the role of clinical psychology and begin to provide support and advice.
If you would like to speak to a clinical psychologist, please ask one of the members of the team e.g., Surgeons, specialist nurses, speech and language therapists who will put you in touch with the psychology team. Or you can contact the psychology team directly using the information below.
Appointments with the psychologist can be in a number of locations, including hospital wards, outpatient clinics, medical clinics, home visits and schools. We now offer online video appointments using the platform Attend Anywhere. The location of your appointment will depend on the reason for your appointment, the distance you live from the Royal Victoria Infirmary and how frequently you are medically reviewed by the team
Contact
Psychology in Health Care
Old Children’s Outpatients
Office Block 26
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle
NE1 4LP
Tuesday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
Crisis support
Psychology in Healthcare is not a crisis service.
If you require urgent support, please contact your local GP, A&E or a crisis service.
If your child/young person is experiencing a mental health emergency and you live in County Durham, Darlington, Teesside and North Yorkshire, you can contact your local CAMHS crisis and liaison team on 0800 0516 171.
If you live in Cumbria, Northumberland or Tyne and Wear, and your child/young person is requiring urgent help with their mental health, you can contact 0800 652 2865. 
Online mental health support
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is an organization which offers young people tools to look after their mental health.
They have has lots of advice and further information about what to do if you are having difficulties with how you feel.
This charity has information for both young people, parents and those who work with young people. YoungMinds also provides useful information and videos about feelings, coping and how you can support a friend struggling with mental health difficulties.  
Kooth
Another useful resource available online is Kooth, this platform has been designed for children and young people aged between 11 and 24. This is an anonymous site which can help children and young people feel safe in exploring their concerns and seeking support from professionals. This service is available 24/7 and lets young people provide peer-to-peer support through moderated online discussion boards. Support can be offered through online counselling via chat-based messaging, sessions are available to be booked or drop-in.  
Clapa is an organisation that offers support and advice to families and children and young people with a cleft. They offer peer support and run workshops and provide lot of useful information Cleft Lip and Palate Association.
Changing faces
Changing Faces in an organisation that offers support for people with a visible difference. They offer peer support and have lots of useful information and resources about coping with visible differences and bullying.
