Children’s psychology – cardiology - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Our clinical psychologists work as part of the team at the children and young people’s cardiology service. We help young people and their families deal with a range of issues including:

Adjustment to condition
Problems in school
Anxiety and low mood
Difficulties coping
Trauma symptoms
Worries or distress about treatments, procedures or staying in hospital (including fear of needles)
Treatment decision-making
Social and family relationships
Behaviour management issues
Concerns about the future

Clinical psychologists work closely with healthcare professionals in the Children’s Heart Unit. Other professionals we work with include doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, play therapists and physiotherapists. The psychologists can see any child/young person who uses the service, or member of their immediate family.

How can I access the service?

If you are a patient or family member or carer you are welcome to refer yourself directly to the clinical psychology service, please contact us using the details below.

Alternatively you can be referred to psychology by healthcare professionals working in cardiology – please ask them if you would like to be referred.

Who you might meet

Our friendly team includes:

A consultant clinical psychologist who manages the team, provides psychological support to children and their families, and provides consultation to other members of the team about psychosocial aspects of care.
Clinical psychologists whoprovide support to children and families, and advice and consultation to other members of the team on psychosocial aspects of care.
An administrative officer who deals with telephone enquiries and organises appointments, typing and sending out letters.

We also often have trainee clinical psychologists working with the team. They can be at various stages in training and could work with patients and families, provide consultation to staff, and deliver teaching and training.

What we do

We help young people and their families with psychological issues or distress related to cardiac conditions, such as those listed above.

We use a range of psychological approaches such as ‘cognitive behaviour therapy’. When working with a child or young person, our appointments might include: