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What we do

Welcome to Clinical Health Psychology, Bradford. We hope that you will find out more about the services we offer and how to access them.

Clinical Health Psychology provides specialist services to adults and children who have a range of physical and psychological needs. We are based at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford.

Some of our services offer talking therapy for people with a physical health condition, and others assessments of cognitive (thinking or memory) skills and behavioural needs. We provide three main services to people accessing healthcare in the Bradford district:

Clinical and health psychologists, counsellors and specialist social workers are trained to understand the effects of having a health condition on emotional wellbeing, and can help people understand and approach the challenges they are facing through talking.

Our psychologists, counsellors and specialist social workers are an integral part of our healthcare teams, and support the psychological care of patients alongside their medical needs. You’ll find more information about the services we offer, and how to access them, below.

Our mission

Developing understanding, inspiring hope, supporting change.

The Clinical Health Psychology Service is committed to improving the psychological care of people in Bradford who have a physical health condition and are accessing medical care within Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Please contact the department if you would like to find out more about the services we offer or discuss making a referral.

Contact details

If you would like any further information about Clinical Health Psychology please contact the department between 8am and 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Please leave a message on our answerphone if you are calling outside these times.

Address
Top floor, Extension Block
St Luke’s Hospital
Little Horton Lane
Bradford
BD5 ONA

Patient enquiries
Telephone: 01274 365176
Fax: 01274 365177

We use the BT text relay service for patients who are deaf or hearing impaired. To contact us ring 18001 01274 365176.

Accessibility

Please see the AccessAble pages on the Psychology department at St Luke’s Hospital.

AccessAble logo

Patient information leaflets

Photo gallery

Interested in joining our team?

Our talented and compassionate staff help care for a diverse population, making Bradford a special place to work. Choosing the right people is key to our success. If you think you’ve got what it takes to join us, please email careers@bthft.nhs.uk to discover more about our latest opportunities.

Clinical Health Psychology and Coronavirus

Please be aware that our services are being impacted by coronavirus and may be on hold or running differently at this time. You can contact us on 01274 365176 from 8am-4pm if you need to discuss this. See below for resources to support wellbeing during coronavirus.

Who we are

Adult Psychology
Andrew Beck Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Robert Whittaker Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Merry Hill Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Katherine Wright Clinical Psychologist
Kate Ryder Clinical Psychologist
Jo Charsley Clinical Psychologist
Sarah Faithorn Clinical Psychologist
Sarah Taylor Clinical Psychologist
Maxie Scheske Clinical Psychologist
Kiran Nazir Health Psychologist
Kate Holt Psychotherapist
Claire O’Nions Senior Psychological Therapist
Aamnah Rahman Psychological Therapist
Fiona Purdie Lead Psychologist for Staff Support
Lucy Smith Counsellor
Robyn Allen Counsellor
Karen Midgley Counsellor
Child Psychology
Andrew Beck Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Sylvie Collins Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Vicki Lee Clinical Psychologist
Kerrie Channer Clinical Psychologist
Sarah Oliver Clinical Psychologist
Claire Mitchell Clinical Psychologist
Chloe Doughty Clinical Psychologist
Beth Carrington  Clinical Psychologist
Stephen Giles Specialist Social Worker
Elaine Phelan Specialist Child Development Practitioner
Lisa Smith Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner
Lauren Oxtoby Higher Assistant Psychologist
Elin Margetts Assistant Psychologist
Samara Aziz Assistant Psychologist
Hannah Rowland Assistant Psychologist
Amelia Bottomley Assistant Psychologist
Neuropsychology
Andrew Beck Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Janet Hodgson Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Helen Toone Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology
Charlene Thwaites Clinical Psychologist
Jeetender Ghag Clinical Psychologist
Saman Hussain Higher Assistant Psychologist
Patrick Mills Higher Assistant Psychologist
Elin Margetts Assistant Psychologist
Amelia Bottomley Assistant Psychologist
Diane Olszewska Occupational Therapist
Laura Morton Occupational Therapist
Admin Team
Carol Walker Administration Services Manager
Dorothy Lever Receptionist/Clerical Assistant
Laura Mackereth-Hamilton Secretary
Louise Stafford Secretary
Lynne Maddison Secretary/PA to Consultant Child Psychologist

Supporting our wellbeing during coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic is bringing uncertainty and great worry into many of our lives. We are being asked to stay at home and may find ourselves feeling isolated or anxious. We might be worried about ourselves or family members, especially if they are elderly or have underlying health conditions. 

Often there are small steps that we can take to look after our wellbeing.  Here are some important yet simple steps we can consider:

  • Acknowledge our thoughts and feelings, without judging them
  • Be kind to ourselves when things are tough, try to offer the same kindness we would with a dear friend
  • Take a pause when we feel overwhelmed, and ask ourselves what we need to take care
  • Focus on the things that we can control, including what we can do support ourselves and others
  • Keep or create new routines
  • Exercise or move our bodies in whatever way if possible for us, following the guidance on social distancing or isolation
  • Stay connected to people – reach out and keep in touch with people you are connected with, for example using phone or video
  • Limit how often you read the media coverage
  • Avoid coping strategies that might have unhelpful consequences, such as drinking, drugs or smoking

It is important for you to find a way that works best for you, and there are many different kinds of support and organisations that you might find helpful.  Below is a collection of information and resources that can help us to think about how we can support our emotional wellbeing during this time.  There are also links to other useful websites and support services. We may continue to update these pages as we find more information.

Specific wellbeing support for inpatients during coronavirus

FACE COVID - Poster
30 activities - Coping calendar
5 ways to support your wellbeing during Covid-19
Supporting our emotional wellbeing during coronavirus
Coronavirus and supporting our emotional wellbeing as staff

Mindfulness for Health and Wellbeing

Learning mindfulness and compassion can help with feelings of anxiety, depression and self-judgements that often arise with – or are complicated by – health conditions.

Mindfulness for Health and Wellbeing is an eight-week course that can help you cope with the stress of living with pain or other health conditions.

Mindfulness involves learning to be aware of what you are experiencing in a friendly and non-judgmental way. This helps us to see more clearly what we need and how to respond skilfully rather than in a reactive or habitual way.

“I feel better in myself. Calmer. Less stressed. More in control. Less emotional tension. Feeling more peaceful and happy with life.”

“It has helped greatly in keeping myself calmer and to cope better with situations.”

For more information, please visit our Mindfulness for Health and Wellbeing pages.

FAQs

How can I access the service?
Patients are usually referred by their GP or another member of their healthcare team such as a consultant, doctor, specialist nurse, physiotherapist or dietician. Please contact us on 01274 365176  if you would like to find out more or discuss making a referral.

How long would I need to see the clinician for?
The number of sessions people need varies. This will be discussed and decided with you at your first appointment, but may change during therapy. It is very important that you attend the planned sessions with your psychologist/counsellor in order for them to be as effective as possible. If you need to cancel your appointment please contact the department as soon as possible using the contact details provided on your appointment letter.

Is there a waiting time for appointments?
We will try to see you as soon as possible however there may be a wait for an appointment. If there is a wait we will let you know how long this is likely to be.

Where will I be seen?
Outpatient appointments are mainly held in the Horton Wing at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.  Some clinics are also run at Bradford Royal Infirmary and in the community such as at GP surgeries. If you are in hospital the psychologist or counsellor may arrange to see you on the ward, in a private room where possible.

What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is an important part of working with a psychologist or counsellor. For more information see our Confidentiality in Clinical Health Psychology booklet.

Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?
We understand that attending new appointments can cause people to feel nervous or anxious and therefore we often allow people to bring someone with them. Please contact the department if you wish to discuss this further. After the initial appointments you may be encouraged to see your psychologist or counsellor alone in order for sessions to be most effective.

Can you provide an interpreter?
If English is not your first language we are able to provide an interpreter for sessions in order to allow you and the therapist to communicate more effectively.  Our interpreters are employed by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and work within the same confidentiality boundaries as us. Please let us know if you require this support when you are referred.