CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

The Adult Mental Health Clinical Psychology Service is based in Craigavon Area Hospital. It offers a range of psychological services to persons aged between 18 and 65 years. Persons can be referred through their General Practitioners or through a Consultant Psychiatrist. Most of the work is carried out on an individual basis, though Group Work is available occasionally. Support for families and carers is also offered.

Persons are referred with a variety of difficulties which affect how they are functioning in their lives. The Adult Clinical Psychology Service is primarily aimed at helping individuals who are experiencing acute difficulties and who are able to undertake therapeutic work to address their problems. After an initial assessment appointment individuals attend a number of therapy sessions, each 50 minutes long. The number of sessions will depend on the nature of the presenting difficulties. These are usually organised on a weekly to fortnightly basis.

The therapeutic work carried out usually involves working on mood states, behaviour patterns and thinking styles. It is mainly focussed on the problems persons are experiencing in the here and now and involves the individual and the therapist working collaboratively on agreed therapeutic goals. Between session homework is also a component of the work.

The Adult Clinical Psychology Service also offers specific specialist services such as neuropsychological assessment, i.e assessment of various aspects of brain functioning such as memory or attention, EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) in the area of trauma, and the assessment and management of difficulties for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Referrals must be made in writing to the Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Unit, Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown

BT63 8QQ. Tel 028 38612544

PAIN MANAGEMENT SERVICE

A multi-disciplinary Pain Management Team provides a service to people who suffer from chronic pain (pain that lasts months or years) who are resident in Armagh & Dungannon Trust and Craigavon and Banbridge Trust areas.

An individual’s GP or Consultant can make a referral to the Pain Clinic via the Consultant Anaesthetist who is head of the Pain Management Team. The Consultant then makes the referral to the Clinical Psychologist if appropriate.

Dr Nicola Sherlock, Clinical Psychologist, is currently working in the Pain Management Service. She can be contacted on

028 38 612544

DIABETES SERVICE

A Clinical Psychology service is provided to children and adults who have Diabetes. The service can be accessed through the individual’s GP or through a member of the Diabetes Team.

Dr Nicola Sherlock, Clinical Psychologist, is currently working in the Diabetes Service. She can be contacted on 028 38 612544.

CHILD & ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Clinical Psychologists provide a service to Children and Adolescents up to age 18 and they are based within the Child and Family Clinic (for further information on this service, contact The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Bocombra Lodge, Portadown, Tel 028 38392112).

BRAIN INJURY TEAM SERVICE

A Clinical Neuropsychology service is provided to people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury. For further information on this service, contact:

LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICE

Clinical Psychologists within the Learning Disability Specialism work with individuals, their families or their carers in a range of settings such as the individual’s home, school, day centre, residential home and hospital.

A major role is the assessment of the individual in terms of intellectual ability, social ability (day to day living) and the presence of other psychological problems, including those that have a behavioural or emotional basis.

Treatment and advice is offered for a wide range of assessed difficulties including sleep problems, tantrum behaviour, aggression, non-compliance, obsessions, phobias, inappropriate behaviour, toileting problems, trauma repercussions, abuse prevention, detection and counselling, social skills training, assertiveness training, enhancement of self esteem, self protection, personal development etc.

Within Craigavon & Banbridge Community Trust, Clinical Psychology also offers a highly specialist Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnostic service and follow-up advice, education and support.

Carer and professional training is also regularly undertaken in many topics, within and outside the Trust.