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What is a Paediatric Clinical Psychologist?

A Clinical Psychologist is someone trained to understand how people think, feel and behave. We work with the rest of the teams at the hospital including the doctors, nurses, therapists and play staff.  We also have Trainee Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists working with us. You may see us around the Children’s Outpatient Clinic, or on the wards.

Training

A Clinical Psychologist will have done at least 6 years of University training (undergraduate degree in Psychology then a doctorate in Clinical Psychology). They will also have spent several years working with people of all different ages with different difficulties. Paediatric Clinical Psychologists have now chosen to specialise in working with children and young people who have health needs

What does a Paediatric Clinical Psychologist actually do?

We listen to worries and help children, young people and their families cope with difficulties that can come from having a medical condition or treatment. We try to understand the situation people find themselves in, and help them to make positive changes.

Paediatric Clinical Psychologists have the title ‘Dr’, but are different from the medical doctors who might look after you in hospital.

We Don't:

  • Wear white coats
  • Give you medicine, injections or examine you
  • Read minds
  • Give you lie detectors
  • Make decisions for you
  • Judge you

We Do:

  • Like to talk to you
  • Like to listen to you
  • Ask about any problems you have
  • Ask about your friends and hobbies
  • Talk about your home and school life
  • Play games
  • Do lots of drawing and making things
  • Take your worries seriously, and do our best to help you feel better
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