The HIV psychology team provides services to people living with HIV, their partners, family members and carers.
The clinical psychology team supports people with:
- adjusting to the physical, psychological and social consequences of being diagnosed as living with HIV
- concerns about taking medication or difficulties adhering to treatment
- sexual health or relationship difficulties
- feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or trauma
- cognitive issues (learning, memory and perception)
Using different models of therapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We offer 121 psychological therapy and skills based group work.
Where will I be seen?
Your appointment could be at either the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department or at one of the regional sexual health clinics.
In addition, we also see patients who are admitted for an inpatient stay to Ward 19 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Meet the team
We work closely with a range of other health professionals and services including:
- Doctors and nurses from the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department
- Other nursing and medical staff
- Social workers
- Welfare rights workers
- Sexual health services
We have a team of clinical staff supported by a secretary. Our team include:
Consultant clinical psychologist
Lead the team, provides psychological assessment and treatments, and supervision, consultation, teaching and training to the service
Clinical Psychologists
Provide psychological assessments and treatments, as well as supervision, consultation, teaching and training to the wider service. They support inpatients on Ward 19, and outpatients in hospital or sexual health clinics.
Assistant psychologist
Support the team by carrying out projects, audits and research. They also carry out screening with patients.
Secretary
Provides clerical and admin support to the team, by organising appointments, taking telephone calls, and sending out letters and reports. The secretary is usually the first point of contact with the service.
Trainee clinical psychologist
We sometimes have trainee clinical psychologist on placement with us from Newcastle University with an interest in HIV work.
Support Care Coordinator
Offers advice, support and signposting in matters such as housing and accommodation issues, welfare benefits and income, creditors and debt, employment and studying, asylum and immigration. Our SCC will make initial contact with you following the referral to our service and whilst you are on our patient waiting list. The SCC will prepare you for our ongoing support and provide information about other services available to those living with and affected by HIV
How can I be referred into the service?
Referrals can be made through the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, social workers, and local sexual health clinics.
Other support
The psychology team works closely with Blue Sky Trust – an organisation who support and connect men, women and children in the North East and Cumbria at every step of their HIV journey.
They provide a confidential and safe place to help come to terms with the diagnosis, peer mentoring, events and workshops, mental well-being course, including yoga and meditation, and becoming part of a supportive community.
They take self referrals and referrals from professionals and agencies.
For more information about Blue Sky trust please go to www.blueskytrust.org
More information
HIV AIDS information:
Contact us
Tel: 0191 282 4081
Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday 9am – 4pm
(answerphone out-of-hour)
Psychology in Health Care
Old Childrens Outpatients
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP