Psychology at the Emmeline Centre – children and young people

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Psychologists can help people with their feelings. They help by working with people on doing the things that are most important to them.

Clinical Psychologists at a hospital aim to help you and your family with some of the difficulties that can come with having a medical condition, or its treatment. They are not medical doctors. They are here to talk to you and hear your concerns. They can also offer advice to help. The Clinical Psychologist at the Emmeline Centre works with the rest of the people in the hearing implant team.

What will happen when I meet the Psychologist?

At the first appointment we will begin to get to know each other. We may talk about the worries you have. Together, we decide on some good things we might be able to do to help you. We may decide to meet for more appointments. Sometimes we agree that you will not need to come again.

It is completely normal to feel a bit worried about the first appointment. Young people have told us it’s often less scary than they first thought! It is up to you who comes in with you to the appointment. You are welcome to bring in anything that makes you feel more comfortable into your sessions (e.g. fidgets, favourite game).

Who will have information about our family?

We will always keep what you say to us private (on our NHS note system). There may be some conversations that we want to share with your adult (or sometimes other adults) so that you can get more help. We plan to talk to you about this before we share anything.

What sorts of areas can we help with?

We see children, young people and families for lots of different reasons. Here are just some of the areas we can help you with:

• Worried feelings about operations and medical treatment
• Understanding your areas of strength and weaknesses with your thinking skills
• Helping you to wear your hearing device
• Help with making decisions about your hearing
• Feelings about your hearing loss/hearing device
• Understanding how helpful a hearing implant could be for you

How do we contact the Clinical Psychologist at the Emmeline Centre?

You and your family can speak to anyone in the hearing implant team you see and ask them to speak to the Psychologist for you. If you and your family need to contact the Psychologist directly, they can use the contact details below:

Email the Emmeline centre (please state ‘for the attention of the Psychologist’ in the email)

Psychology reception number: 01223 217957 (please state you want to speak to the Psychologist in the cochlear implant team and leave the best number and time to ring back on)

Please note, the Psychologist in the team works part-time. They will not be able to speak to you immediately. If you have urgent concerns, please speak to your adult about contacting your GP.