Psychology
We provide psychological assessment and intervention to assist in the management of health conditions and injury.
What we do
Psychologists help patients understand and manage the thoughts, attitudes, feelings and behaviours that may improve recovery from injury or illness.
Clinical and Health Psychologists help patients and their families cope with the stress of being in hospital, adjusting to poor health or disability, managing pain, preparing for procedures, and dealing with grief, depression, trauma and anxiety.
Psychologists at the RAH provide assessment, evidence-based treatment and consultation with other health professionals and also conduct clinical research.
Our psychologists may provide intervention targeted towards:
- improving the mental health, wellbeing and functioning of patients with illness, trauma, injury or disability
- optimising patient participation in treatment, for example, teaching self-management skills and developing working relationships between the patient, their family and their health team
- designing and implementing prevention, education and behaviour change programs
- conducting neuropsychological assessments and providing opinions regarding cognitive functioning.
Services with related units
We provide a specialist service to inpatients and outpatients of the Adult Burns Unit.
Our psychologists can help burns patients with:
- depression and anxiety
- body image
- poor sleep and nightmares
- distressing memories about the trauma
- managing persistent pain
- strained relationships with loved ones
- coping with staring and negative comments
- return to work issues.
Cancer Services Psychology provides a specialist service to inpatients and outpatients at the RAH, triaged according to patient need.
Common reasons for referral include:
- adjustment/grief and loss issues
- anxiety and worry
- depression
- pre-transplant assessments
- medical phobias
- body image, confidence and self-esteem concerns
- coping with treatment
- sleep problems
- making choices about treatment
- the impact of the disease on themselves and others.
There is a specialist psychology service for patients of the Youth Cancer Service SA/NT.
The Cystic Fibrosis Psychologist helps people living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) manage emotional and psychological difficulties and make changes to their lives that help them feel better and achieve their goals.
The psychologist will often work with a person with CF about:
- balancing the demands of treatment with achieving life goals
- anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, helplessness
- stress management
- grief, loss and change
- persistent worries, fears and phobias
- sleeping problems
- addictions
- coping with transplant
- chronic pain or discomfort
- family and relationship concerns
- eating and body-image.
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Service offers psychological screening and support to outpatients to help address the psychological and emotional issues that are common in IBD.
Common challenges for people with IBD include:
- anxiety and depression
- managing symptom flare-up
- poor coping
- pain management
- fatigue
- social/communication issues
- medication adherence.
Psychological screening is available to patients at clinic appointments and can be discussed further with the consulting gastroenterologist or psychologist on the day. Psychological support options will be discussed based on the results of the screening measures.
The Psychology Consult Service (PsyCS) provides a specialist assessment, treatment and consultation service to inpatients of the RAH (excluding the clinical areas listed above).
Common reasons for referral to PsyCS include:
- difficulties coping with a recent traumatic event
- sadness or depression
- stress or anxiety
- grief or loss
- anger, irritability or frustration
- feelings of guilt, hopelessness and despair, numbness, being overwhelmed
- difficulties coping with pain or painful procedures
- persistent sleep problems (including nightmares)
- feeling a lack of control or independence
- concerns with body image.
Where to find us
Outpatient clinic located on Level 3 (ground floor), Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Check appointment information and screens on arrival at the RAH, for the specific location.
Who we are
- Anne Burke - Co-Director
- Kathryn Collins - Co-Director
Resources
Allied health services accept GP, private specialists, allied health and other health professional referrals.
Once your referral has been received it will be triaged according to clinical urgency.
If your referral is accepted, you will either:
- receive a letter, phone call or text message confirming your appointment time, date and location
- receive a letter confirming you have been waitlisted for an appointment.
If the referral is declined, your GP or referring medical practitioner will be notified.
Outpatient services
Find out information about specialist outpatient appointments, how to be referred, plus information when attending an outpatient clinic.
Your outpatient appointment
Contact us to:
- change your appointment time
- cancel your appointment
- find out triage status
- general outpatient enquiries.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment time, let us know as soon as possible.
Allied health services accept GP, private specialists, allied health and other health professional referrals.
A written referral is required prior to an appointment being issued. Emailed or faxed referrals are preferred.
Referrals should include:
- patient details - address, date of birth, contact phone number, medicare number, pension card
- reason for referral
- relevant clinical history of the patient
- list of current medications
- current treatment regimen
- recent relevant test results – x-ray, pathology, etc
- referrer's name and contact details.
ADD FORMS OR SPECIFIC REFERRAL GUIDELINES HERE