Physical Health

Chronic Health Conditions
Rehabilitation, Review and Returning to Work
Young People and Health

Chronic Health Conditions

Various different conditions can cause pain, fatigue, loss of physical stamina and other ongoing difficulties. Some may involve multiple hospital or GP appointments, medications or other interventions, while some are at the stage where self-management is an important aspect.

The psychologists at The Integrated Psychology Clinic are experts in pain management, and in strategies for understanding and helping with fatigue. We also have a specialist team that works with The London Hypermobility Unit to support people with hypermobility spectrum disorders, such as Ehlers Danlos syndrome and other hypermobility conditions, as well as other rheumatological disorders. We are also experienced in helping people with many other conditions linked to pain or fatigue, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many other physical health difficulties, including sickle cell disease, diabetes and recovery from infectious illnesses or surgery.

We understand the challenges that living with pain and fatigue and chronic health conditions can bring. We place great importance on having confidential time and space to plan out a support package that works for each individual. Some people may find that their mood fluctuates with their pain or fatigue, while others may want help communicating their situation to their medical team, workplace or family and friends.

We offer a range of interventions, including:

  • An introduction to and support with pacing for pain or fatigue
  • Evidence-based pain management approaches
  • Personalised coping strategies that suit your approach to self-care
  • Joint working with physiotherapists and other clinicians, where appropriate
  • Help making sense of the impact of your health condition on your daily life
  • Cognitive-behavioural, systemic and ACT approaches to recovery or symptom management

Rehabilitation, Review and Returning to Work

We can all find our usual routines disrupted by illness, injury, an accident or medical treatment. The clinical psychologists at The Integrated Psychology Clinic have considerable experience in both acute medical settings and with chronic health conditions of all types. We are specialists in the functional, practical and psychological impacts of health-related interruptions to our daily lives.

Whether the interruption to your usual lifestyle was anticipated or sudden we provide the space to consider strategies for managing treatment, adjusting to a new pace, returning to work or considering new directions. At a time when others can struggle to understand, we will walk alongside you every step of the way. We take time to learn about you and your specific situation. From this place of understanding we can then help you develop a rehabilitation plan, emotionally process all that has changed for you, and consider how to communicate your new needs to people such as Occupational Health, Human Resources, friends and family.

Interventions might include:

  • Rehabilitation programmes including gentle pacing, in conjunction with other healthcare professionals as appropriate
  • Coping strategies suited to your own style of managing adversity
  • A confidential space to think about adjustment to your situation
  • Cognitive-behavioural, systemic and ACT approaches

Young People and Health

When a young person’s life is disrupted by illness, injury, an accident or medical treatment it can have quite an impact. The effect can be felt not just on the young person but on the whole family, including parents and siblings. The clinical psychologists at The Integrated Psychology Clinic have considerable experience in both acute medical settings and with chronic health conditions of all types. We have worked alongside hundreds of young people and families who are having to adjust to or make sense of physical health difficulties.

Interventions we provide include:

  • Developmentally informed assessments and interventions
  • Exploration of family coping styles, and ways of managing adversity 
  • A confidential therapeutic space for any family member who might need it
  • Cognitive-behavioural, systemic and ACT approaches to recovery or symptom management
  • Rehabilitation programmes to help young people improve their physical and emotional functioning
  • Return to school plans – including liaison with educational and health professionals as necessary
  • Help with transitions, such as a move of medical team or a University application