What is Health Psychology?

If a person has a health problem, it can be quite distressing to the patient and his or her family and friends. These beliefs underlie psychologists' interests in helping people behave in ways that promote wellness, adjust to health problems that develop and participate effectively in treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Edward P Sarafino (1994) 'Health Psychology' John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.

What do Health Psychologists treat?

Clinical Health Psychologists provide a range of psychological therapies to patients, families and carers affected by physical health difficulties.

Dr Tracey Parker BSc(Hons) D.Clin.Psy is the Chartered Clinical Health Psychologist at The Ashcroft Clinic providing both cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic therapies to help those who would like to move forward with their lives and explore ways of coping with the uncertainty and limitations that health problems may bring. Problems commonly encountered in which counselling or psychological therapies may be beneficial include heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, asthma, generalised health anxiety, bereavement, adjustment to life after surgery, sleep disorders and phobias.

What about treatment?

Chartered Clinical Health Psychologists are fully trained to recognise and comprehensively treat the broad range of psychological health problems which can affect people from all walks of life, including their families and carers.

Psychology and Patient Protection.

Chartered Clinical Psychologists are professionally indemnified, and follow a strict code of conduct.

Patients have the same safeguards as when they currently consult a doctor or dentist, and may be consulted without medical reference.

Click here to return to treatments page