Clinical psychology

Our team includes clinical psychologists and an art psychotherapist who work together to provide psychological support to patients and their families. Click here to learn more about Art Psychotherapy.

Cancer affects the whole person, not just the body, and patients often benefit from talking about the emotional impact of illness. Being ill also affects the family, so even if it is not you who has cancer, you may still want to talk to someone in confidence. Our team specialises in helping you cope with and adjust to the emotional stresses and strains that can accompany your illness. We work closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide overall care and we know every patient has different worries and concerns.

Below are some of the problems and concerns we explore and do our very best to help with:

Feelings of depression, anxiety and anger
Coping with the changes, loss and uncertainties cancer can bring
Managing medical procedures and side effects
Changes to how your body looks and feels
Coping with how cancer affects relationships or sexual functioning
Longer standing problems that have returned or been made worse by illness
Living with and beyond cancer

For patients

If you think it would be helpful to talk to a psychologist, but this opportunity has not yet been offered to you, you can ask any member of staff currently involved in your care to make a referral. When we receive this, we will either call you or send you a letter to book an appointment that is convenient to you. If there is a waiting time, we will let you know. You can be seen on your own or with a partner, family member(s) or other important people in your life.

The first session will last about 45 minutes to an hour. You will have the opportunity to get to know the psychologist, talk about your concerns and discuss the ways in which a talking therapy could be of help to you. At the end of the session we will agree together whether to meet again and how often, depending on your needs. Some people may only need one or two sessions or to meet occasionally while others may need more regular sessions over a longer period of time.

Contact details: Dr Hilly Webb-Peploe, Clinical Psychologist, 020 346 57171