Paediatric Clinical Health Psychology

A service to support children & their families to cope and manage life with chronic ill health, and it’s treatments

Who We See

It can be hard enough growing up at times, never mind having to cope with ill health too. There are lots of different reasons a child or young person, with a diagnosed medical condition, might see a Clinical Psychologist. 

Children and young people who have been referred may be experiencing difficulties with their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and ability to cope. These difficulties are often a result of their medical condition and/or will be impacting on their ability to manage their condition.

We work closely with the professionals caring for you to try and make life as easy as possible for you. You can even help us by letting us know what you think would make being in hospital/having treatment an easier experience for you and others.

If would like to speak to us, talk to your medical team, nurse or consultant.

WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE US FOR

  • Emotional Distress

    Having a medical condition can sometimes make a child or young person feel anxious or scared, either about coming into hospital or about how to cope in daily life. Sometimes there are fears about the future, and how best to manage things.

    It often takes time to understand and accept a diagnosis or injury, and sometimes there will be feelings of anger, sadness and grief over the changes to life.

  • Procedural Distress

    Children or young people can often feel very anxious and distressed about having medical procedures, attending clinics or receiving feedback at clinics e.g. some young people with Diabetes feel evaluated and worried when attending clinics to discuss their HBA1C levels. This can often mean worry in the lead up to hospital appointments and finding it difficult to relax once they get here. Sometimes this can make them not want to come for procedures or attend clinics, or feel very upset when undergoing treatments.

  • Adjustment

    Sometimes children can become worried about their treatments, or just struggle to take their medication. It can take time and energy to stick to a medication regime, and this can be harder still when it means time away from doing things that are fun or where you feel different or separate from your peers. Sometimes there are changes to how a child or young person looks or feels in their body, and adjustment to this can take time.

  • Acceptance

    At other times it might be hard for a child and family to learn to accept and cope with living with a medical condition. Having a new diagnosis often means a big change to life as they all know it, and there can be mixed feelings about these changes.

  • Trauma

    Occasionally children and young people may be affected by traumatic events which have occurred at the time of diagnosis or injury, or following complicated procedures. In the immediate aftermath of sudden scary events, distress and anxiety is a normal response. However, sometimes, after a longer period of time, the memory of these events can still trigger feelings of distress and can begin to interfere with day to day functioning.

  • Parental and Family Support

    When a child or young person has become unwell or is given a new diagnosis, or where complex decisions must be made, parents can often benefit from the opportunity to reflect upon events and receive emotional support. We are also aware of the impact that a child with a medical condition can have on siblings within a family, and where possible try to involve the whole family when offering support and advice.

What Happens at an Appointment

Tell any of your healthcare team if you would like to come and meet us! Once they let us know, we hope to see you shortly after you request help. As we are a growing service, there may be a short wait after this appointment, before we can meet again to work on your goals.

 

Assessment

First appointments will normally last between 45 minutes and an hour, when we will meet with you and your parents/carers. 

We understand that you may feel worried or apprehensive about an appointment. Our role is to help you feel comfortable enough to discuss your thoughts and feelings.

At a first appointment it is helpful for us to hear all about you, your life, hobbies, school/college/work, friends and family, as well as the background to your medical condition. 

We will also think together about the difficulties that you have been experiencing, how these are impacting on your life and condition, and how you and your family cope.  We will take some notes when we meet, and then write you a letter to tell you and other doctors how we may be able to help. We can talk about anything that you don’t want written in this letter.

First appointments involve some talking and listening, sometimes drawing, and playing with toys together.

Follow-Up

If it is thought that it would be helpful for you to return for further appointments, this will normally be arranged in the first appointment.  Follow up appointments will allow us to get to know you better, to formulate your difficulties and come up with a plan for supporting you and your family.

We use a number of different therapies, all of which have an evidence base.  That is, we know from research that these can be helpful for children and young people struggling with the same kinds of difficulties as you.  These might include, among others:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

  • Solution Focused Therapy

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Response).

Who We Are

  • Dr. Louise Harrold

    My name is Louise, I am a Clinical Psychologist working with children and young people who have a long-term health condition, such as diabetes, heart problems, arthritis, and who might need support to talk through how it impacts their life and on how they feel. I sometimes work with their parents too. I am new to the Highlands, and I love being outdoors, especially walking my dog, Mr Bailey.

  • Dr Tracy McGlynn

    I’ve worked in the service for over 15 years and over that time have met THE most inspiring kids, young people and families trying to live their best lives with a long-term health condition. We work closely with the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals involved in your care. As a Clinical Psychologist, my role is to help with the emotional impact of living with illness and disability. I love to run, write and play with my pup, Barley.

Advice and Support for Everyone who has to go to Hospital

  • Distraction

    Some of the best tips for distracting yourself during any procedure, from Great Olmond Street Hospital

    Click Here

  • Breathing Techniques

    Simple, easy to use breathing techniques, that evidence shows can decrease pain, fear and distress

    Click Here

  • Facing Your Fear

    More evidence based advice on reducing needle phobia, through breathing, alternative tension, and gradual exposure.

    Click Here

  • For Parents

    An online tool for parents, to identify your child’s risk of distress and provide individualised advice

    Click Here

  • The Evidence

    For those budding scientists amongst you, here’s the evidence

    Click Here

Specialised Information, Advice and Support Groups