Psychology

Pain Psychology

Psychological treatment has become a fundamental component of a comprehensive, multidimensional, and interdisciplinary approach to managing persistent pain. These interventions are informed by the biopsychosocial model of pain and are underpinned by an extensive body of psychological research, which has identified the pivotal role of behavioural, cognitive, and emotional factors in the perpetuation, and potentially the development, of chronic pain, pain-related disability, and emotional distress. 

There is evidence-based approach to manage persistent pain which includes Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and EMDR.

Long COVID

The Long COVID Team in Beaumont Hospital includes staff members from Infectious Diseases, Psychiatry, Psychology and Physiotherapy. We work together to support patients experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. Referrals are via your GP or your hospital consultant. 

What is the Long COVID Psychology Service? 

Psychologists work with the COVID Team to provide a holistic approach to long COVID care. Everyone’s experience of living with long COVID is different. Your long COVID might affect you in one, or some, of these ways:

• feeling worried or frightened about being breathless
• feeling as if you can’t cope with it all
• noticing you are giving up things you enjoy
• feeling unhappy or angry about how long COVID has affected your life
• feeling distressed, anxious, frightened
• interference with relationships with partners, family and friends
• concerns about work or studies
• worrying or feeling hopeless about what the future holds
• losing your self-confidence
• difficulties with managing your long COVID or the treatment

Cystic Fibrosis Psychology Service

The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Psychology Service provides support to people who attend the CF multi-disciplinary team in Beaumont Hospital. 

We support people around the emotional needs that may arise as part of living with CF, including coping with stress, managing treatments, adjusting to change, and managing mood and wellbeing. Support is offered based on a person’s individual needs and wishes.

Neuropsychology Service

The neuropsychology service works with in-patients and out-patients who are under the care of the neurology and neurosurgical teams in Beaumont Hospital. We offer a range of services to this diverse patient group, including cognitive assessment, formulation and intervention. Our goal is to assist patients with the emotional, cognitive and behavioural impact of their health condition on their quality of life.

Psycho-Oncology

The Psycho-Oncology team is a multidisciplinary team comprising two Clinical Nurse Specialists, two Medical Social Workers, three Psychologists and a Consultant Psychiatrist. The service is both a mental health and psychosocial support service. A patient may see any member of the team and at times, a number of members of the team according to their needs. 

It is normal for patients to feel distressed in relation to their cancer diagnosis and the team aim to empower patients with coping mechanisms and build their resilience. The team has a role in signposting patients and their family members to community based supports including community cancer support centres, Cancer Thriving and Surviving, Living Well Programme, LACES and EX-Well.

Referral

Referral is to the team, and each referral is triaged to the appropriate team member based on the level of distress and the referral question. 

Eligibility for referral is as follows: 

The Psycho-Oncology team accepts referrals from Medical Oncology, Haematology, Breast Care, Upper GI, and Radiation Oncology teams. The service is being rolled out across other surgical oncology teams at present and referral for these patients is by case by case discussion with the team. 

The Psychologist will typically see patients who present with more moderate or severe distress (Levels 4 and 5 of stepped care model).

National Living Kidney Donor Programme Psychology Service

The National Living Donor Renal Transplant programme is run by the National Renal Transplant programme at Beaumont hospital. Currently, there is one 0.5 WTE Senior Clinical Psychologist providing assessment and psychological support of living kidney donors (LKDs). Potential LKDs are seen for comprehensive psychological assessment / support session(s) as part of their living kidney donor assessment work-up. LKDs are also seen post-donation for support.

Beaumont Hospital Department of Psychology Migraine Service

This service is funded by Sláintecare and is run with the Migraine Association of Ireland. Online psychotherapy groups are provided to enable people living with migraine to gain peer support and develop effective coping abilities. Individual sessions are offered to people who need additional psychological support for coping with migraine. However this is dependent on current resources within the service and is time-limited.

Psychology Service to Liaison Psychiatry

The psychology service to Liaison Psychiatry meets with inpatients and outpatients from across many specialisms who need additional support.

Sometimes this is due to the difficulties of their medical conditions and sometimes this is due to underlying mental health challenges.

We are a clinical psychology service that helps with the diagnosis and treatment of the difficulties people experience in medical treatment and health management.  Sometimes people meet with this service once or twice, and sometimes they meet for longer periods of time.  All treatments are agreed between the psychologist and the patient involved.

There are many different ways that patients can receive support and treatment. Our service has expertise in how to determine which treatment would help the most.

All referrals to the psychology service to Liaison Psychiatry come through the Liaison Psychiatry service. There are no direct referral pathways from any other hospital specialism or department.