The children and young people’s health psychology team provide a range of services for children and young people who have psychological issues related to physical conditions, injury and illness.
As well as services for young patients themselves, we can also support family members and carers.
Our children and young people’s health services
You can get more details about our services for children, which include:
- Cardiology and transplant
- Diabetes
- Kidney (renal)
- Cleft lip and palate
- Neuropsychology
- Cancer
- Immunodeficiency
- Burns
What is a clinical psychologist?
Clinical psychologists have been trained to understand how people think, feel and behave. They support adults, children, young people, families, parents and carers who are experiencing distress in relation to a particular difficulty in their life.
Clinical psychologists work closely with other healthcare professionals such as:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Play therapists
- Physiotherapists
You can find out more about the range of children’s healthcare services at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
What can clinical psychologists help with?
A clinical (or healthcare) psychologist can help with a range of psychological difficulties when your child is diagnosed or treated. This might include:
- Adjustment to condition
- Anxiety and low mood
- Difficulties coping
- Trauma symptoms
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Worries or distress about treatments, procedures or staying in hospital (including fear of needles)
- Treatment decision-making
- Social and family relationships
- Transition
- Concerns about the future.
We aim to help you or your child find solutions to these difficulties where we can. For example, helping to understand and manage feelings, thinking about practical ways to support a loved one, or learning to live a full and meaningful life alongside the health condition.
To do this, we work together with your child and can use:
- Talking
- Playing
- Thinking
- Filling in questionnaires
- Drawing/creative activities
- Puzzles and games
Psychologists do not prescribe medication or perform physical examinations.
Returning to school
Returning to school can create a mix of emotions for children and families, from excitement and happiness, to also worry and anxiety.
The psychology team have made this short video for children and families to explore their emotions and tips to help.
