what is a clinical psychologist? · dr joanna latham, clinical psychologist, lancaster university...

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What is a clinical psychologist?

Easy read information leaflet

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A U T H O R S

Dr Joanna Latham, Clinical Psychologist, Lancaster University Doctorate of Clinical Psychology.

Dr Ian Smith, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Senior Clinical Tutor, Lancaster University Doctorate of Clinical Psychology.

This leaflet is intended to be used as a template for services where there may not be an existing information leaflet already. Services can also choose to distribute this leaflet directly.

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What is a clinical psychologist?

Psychologists help you feel better through talking therapies.

They are part of the health team, like nurses and doctors.

They are different to your key worker or support worker.

Psychologists do not give medication or use needles.

Here are some problems they can help with

Worrying a lot.

Feeling sad a lot.

Getting angry a lot.

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Why am I seeing a clinical psychologist?

Sometimes we feel sad, angry or confused.

You might be upset about your life.

When we feel upset it can be difficult to talk.

A psychologist can help you.

How can a clinical psychologist help me?

Psychologists can help you talk about your feelings.

They will listen to you.

They try to understand how you feel.

They can give advice on how to make things better.

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Psychologists may ask you questions and to do some puzzles.

They find out what you are good at and what you find difficult.

Psychologists help your care team to understand you better.

Keeping your information safe and confidential

Everything you share with the psychologist will be confidential / private.

This means that psychologists will not tell other people what you said.

Sometimes it is helpful to share your information with your care staff or your family.

Psychologists will only share your information with your permission.

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When we feel upset, angry or worried, we may have thoughts of hurting ourselves or other people.

If you feel this way, psychologists may tell people in other care services.

Telling other care services means that more people will be able to help you.

What happens in an appointment?

The psychologist will ask you some questions.

Psychologists might use drawings and writing to help you understand.

They can help you learn about your feelings.

They can help you talk about your emotions with your staff and family.

They can help you feel more confident.

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