Ian Charleson Day Centre psychology service

Psychological therapies are available within our HIV service with our team of highly experienced specialist psychologists and a cognitive behavioural therapist.    

You can self-refer or speak to your doctor or nurse and request a referral.    

Due to the high number of referrals, there may be a short wait before you are seen by the team. For anyone newly diagnosed with HIV, pregnant or inpatient, you will be prioritised and seen sooner.   

The psychology service comprises of clinical and counselling psychologists, a cognitive behavioural therapist and trainee psychologist. The psychologists work closely with the consultants, doctors, nurses, psychiatrist, pharmacists and research nurses embedded within the MDT team.   

Our HIV psychologists are specifically trained to support people with the following:  

• new diagnosis and adjustment to living with HIV  

• HIV-related mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep, bereavement and loneliness, relationship and sexual health problems  

• sharing of status (to partners, family, children and others)  

• practicing safer sex and risk reduction  

• pregnancy  

• taking HIV medication  

• Chemsex (with onward referral to services supporting people who use substances)  

• stigma and discrimination  

• neuro-cognitive screening for cognitive issues  

The psychologists also offer services to patients during their hospital stay under the care of HIV consultants, HIV positive female patients throughout their pregnancy and people experiencing mental health issues but find it harder to attend clinics.   

Additionally, the psychology services offer group sessions (a tree of life group based on narrative therapy approach) and virtual webinars in collaboration with Positively UK (HIV charity).   

The HIV psychology department offers a neurocognitive screening service for people reporting mild to moderate cognitive difficulties, including problems with concentration and attention, co-ordination and movement, memory, slowed thinking, difficulties with completing complex tasks, personality change, irritability, and emotional changes.  

The screening involves testing, which takes approximately two hours. Depending on the outcome, people may then be offered a short course of psychological intervention or onward referral to a more appropriate service. 

All outpatient referrals are offered psychological assessment and interventions for psychological problems that may impede treatment adherence or coping with HIV condition. The service offers between 1-12 sessions, which are 50-minutes in length per patient in a variety of modes (in person, video, and telephone). Our psychologists often draw on numerous evidence-based therapeutic modalities, such as:  

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)  

CBT is an evidence-based therapy commonly used by psychologists. CBT is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours to promote healthier coping strategies and emotional well-being.   

It has been found to be equally, if not more effective, in improving mental health symptoms than pharmacological treatments.  

CBT has also been shown to impact HIV-related clinical outcomes.   

Narrative therapy  

Whilst traditional therapy often focuses on symptom management, the Narrative Therapy framework offers a different approach by helping individuals reshape their stories about their identity and lives. It centres people as the experts in their own lives and opens the space for the telling of people’s experience and stories. Storytelling can help people to see their personal strengths, resources and values, which allows people to reclaim agency and reduce the influence of the problem in their lives.  

Acceptance and commitment therapy  

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a type of therapy that emphasises acceptance to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances.  

ACT is a modern and evidence-based therapy that focuses on helping individuals embrace psychological flexibility and develop strategies for living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. ACT teaches skills to observe and accept thoughts and emotions without judgment, let go of unhelpful patterns, and engage in actions aligned with personal values. ACT encourages individuals to engage in behaviours that align with what truly matters to them, even in the presence of discomfort or distressing emotions.  

Mindfulness and meditation  

There is now increasing evidence that mindfulness and meditation practices are beneficial to people living with HIV to help improve with acceptance and adjustment, resulting in better management of their overall health.  

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing  

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps people process and recover from traumatic experiences or distressing life events. It uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. EMDR is highly effective for treating trauma-related conditions and anxiety, among other conditions, allowing individuals to achieve adaptive healing.  

 Systemic Therapy  

Systemic therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on understanding individuals within the context of their relationships and social systems, such as family, work, or community. It explores how patterns within these systems influence behaviour, emotions, and well-being. By addressing interpersonal dynamics, systemic therapy aims to create healthier, more supportive relationships and promote holistic change.  

 Integrative Therapy  

Integrative therapy is a flexible approach that combines elements from different therapeutic models to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each individual. Drawing from modalities like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic approaches, integrative therapy offers a personalised framework for addressing various emotional, behavioural, and psychological issues. This approach ensures a comprehensive and adaptable treatment plan for each patient's specific situation.