If you are due to have an appointment with one of our Clinical Psychologists, please read these frequently asked questions to help you to understand the nature of your appointment. If you have a query which remains unanswered, please telephone us on 07880 206964.
Why do I need an appointment?
We have been contacted by an agent on your behalf. This may be your insurers or solicitors, or a rehabilitation provider, in support of a claim.
How long will the appointment last?
You should expect your appointment to last approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
What can I expect during my appointment?
The Clinical Psychologist will quickly help you feel at ease, and will discuss with you your current difficulties, which are placed into the context of your background history, social, relationship and cultural factors, and a little about your physical health. The Clinical Psychologist will use this information, together with the results of the questionnaires you have been asked to complete in advance of the meeting, to prepare a report detailing this information, and provide a diagnosis as to your condition, and will recommended appropriate treatment. The report is provided to your agent who requested the assessment, and who will then provide you with a copy.
What is a Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists have undergone clinical training and academic study to Doctorate level. They are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness (such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) and are professionally regulated in their practice. A Clinical Psychologist is not a medical doctor and is unable to prescribe medication or help you with your physical health.
What can I do to prepare for my appointment?
Please complete the questionnaires which may be sent to you prior to your appointment. It is important to answer the questions based on how you have been feeling over the past two weeks, rather than how you may have felt at the time of an incident occurring. Please bring them with you to the appointment, together with two forms of identification, one of which should be photographic.
What will the psychologist already know about me?
You will previously have given authority to your agent for your medical records to be supplied to the Psychologist, who should already have had an opportunity to peruse these. Your Psychologist should also have been given some details about the nature of your case.
If you are unable to attend your appointment…
If you need to reschedule your appointment, it is important to give us as much notice as possible. Please telephone 07880 206964. If you don’t tell us that you can’t make an appointment and do not attend, your agent may not be able to authorise a second appointment, which could have a detrimental effect on settling your case or delay the commencement of therapy.
Finally, please tell us if you require disabled access, so that we can provide an appropriate venue.
