HIV psychology service

The HIV psychology team provides services to HIV positive people, their partners, family members and carers.

The clinical psychology team supports people with:

adjusting to the physical, psychological and social consequences of being diagnosed as HIV positive
concerns about taking medication or difficulties adhering to treatment
sexual health or relationship difficulties
feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or trauma

If a patient has any cognitive issues (learning, memory and perception) we can arrange for a specialist neuropsychological assessment which measures their mental functions. If you are considering plastic surgery, we can also arrange for a psychological assessment to be carried out.

Using different models of therapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We offer 121 psychological therapy and skills based group work.

Where will I be seen?

Your appointment could be at either the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department or at one of the regional sexual health clinics.

In addition, we also see patients who are admitted for an inpatient stay to Ward 19 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Meet the team

We work closely with a range of other health professionals and services including:

Doctors and nurses from the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department
Other nursing and medical staff
Social workers
Welfare rights workers
Sexual health services

We have a team of clinical staff supported by a secretary. Our team include:

Consultant clinical psychologist

Lead the team, provides psychological assessment and treatments, and supervision, consultation, teaching and training to the service

Clinical Psychologists

Provide psychological assessments and treatments, as well as supervision, consultation, teaching and training to the wider service. They support inpatients on Ward 19, and outpatients in hospital or sexual health clinics.

Assistant psychologist

Support the team by carrying out projects, audits and research. They also carry out screening with patients.

Secretary

Provides clerical and admin support to the team, by organising appointments, taking telephone calls, and sending out letters and reports. The secretary is usually the first point of contact with the service.

Trainee clinical psychologist

We sometimes have trainee clinical psychologist on placement with us from Newcastle University with an interest in HIV work.

How can I be referred into the service?

Referrals can be made through the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, social workers, and local sexual health clinics.

Other support

The psychology team works closely with Blue Sky Trust – an organisation who support and connect men, women and children in the North East and Cumbria at every step of their HIV journey.

They provide a confidential and safe place to help come to terms with the diagnosis, peer mentoring, events and workshops, mental well-being course, including yoga and meditation, and becoming part of a supportive community.

They take self referrals and referrals from professionals and agencies.

For more information about Blue Sky trust please go to www.blueskytrust.org

The psychology team also supports the Patient Participation Team (PPT) – a group of HIV positive patients who are involved with teaching medical staff and representing the patient voice during service development meetings. The PPT also have arranged social events in the past for people living with HIV and are keen to provide opportunities for social networking in the future.

The Eyes Open Committee www.eyesopenart.org are a regional steering group who raise awareness of HIV and support World Aids Day. They work around the region in schools, hospitals, community settings and other organisations to promote the awareness of HIV and to remove the stigma that is still attached to HIV.