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Psychology

Psychologists in Oncology

Psychologists in the specialist clinical unit of Oncology are experts in Psycho-Oncology and focus on emotional and behavioural problems that may result from, or complicate, the management of a patient’s cancer journey. They work as part of multi-disciplinary teams with other medical, nursing and allied health staff.

Psychologists treat distress and promote wellbeing

Clinical Psychologists in the Cancer Centre have highly specialised training to assess, diagnose and treat emotional, mental, cognitive and behavioural issues that patients and their families can experience.

They use psychological techniques to treat distress and promote well-being, with intervention based on the understanding that health is influenced by a number of factors. These factors include biological (such as a virus or tumour), psychological (involving thoughts and beliefs) behavioural (including habits) and social processes (such as a combination of financial and social factors).

Psychology services that can help you

Services to help patients and families may include:

  • Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness (which is any condition that affects a person’s mood, behaviour or thoughts in a way that is distressing or impairs functioning)
  • Clinical interviews of patients to help inform how medical treatments or other services are provided
  • Counselling for individuals and/or their families
  • Behavioural interventions to reduce the impact of how cancer is experienced and aid recovery
  • Strategies for dealing with pain and other physical symptoms of cancer
  • Consultation regarding psychiatric medications and the making of referrals, where appropriate, for psychiatric review
  • Assessing for and providing recommendations around possible cognitive impairment related to cancer and/or treatment that may be impacting upon school or vocational performance
  • Advocacy and representation for patients and families in regard to mental health difficulties and how they interact with the oncology experience

Consulting and referrals

Clinical psychologists can consult with other specialists about treatments and provide referrals. They do not prescribe psychiatric medications, although they are able to identify the need, or not, for this, and frequently consult with psychiatrists and other medical personnel regarding the application of treatments.

Although a clinical psychologist may provide psychological assessments, reports, recommendations, and participate in multi-disciplinary case conferences, they are not trained in case management and do not provide liaison services with other agencies; except for referrals to mental health services.

Referral information

We accept referrals from all medical and allied health staff within The Children’s Hospital at Westmead who have an ongoing relationship with the patient.

The Department is unable to accept referrals for children and young people within the general community, who are receiving care from another health facility, or for non-oncology related issues.

To make a referral

For all eligible patients, speak with a member of your oncology treating team or oncology social worker.

Contact Details

Email: SCHN-CHW-PsychoOncology@health.nsw.gov.au

Community resources

Mental health issues are common, with 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health difficulty at any given time, and 50 per cent experiencing a mental health difficulty at some time in their life. Cancer experiences, and other complications in life, can provide challenges for patients and families but there are many ways to connect with help.

COVID-19 resources
For children and teenagers
  • Canteen: If you are 12 to 25 and dealing with your own or a close family member’s cancer, check times for counselling here. Face to face sessions are also available.
  • Redkite: If you are under 18 years of age and diagnosed with cancer you can call Redkite on 1800 Redkite (1800 733 548) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm.
  • Headspace: If you are 12 to 25 Headspace will assist you and your family and friends. Face to face sessions are also available.
  • Kids Helpline: If you are aged 5 to 25 you can speak to a Kids Helpline counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phoning 1800 55 1800.
  • ReachOut: You can call ReachOut which has phone numbers for all age groups here for urgent help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as using discussions and tools.
  • Youth Beyond Blue: If you’re aged 12 to 25, or a parent needing support, you can get urgent help here. There is also assistance for hearing and speech impediments and free translation support.
For parents and carers
  • Redkite: If you are a family member or friend of a child diagnosed with cancer aged from 0 to 18 you can call Redkite on 1800 Redkite (1800 733 548) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm.
  • Parent Line: If you’re a parent or carer in NSW with children aged 0 to 18, Parent Line provides counselling and support.
  • Beyond Blue: Information and support is provided to all ages from Beyond Blue for anxiety and depression. There is also assistance for hearing and speech impediments and free translation support. 
  • Lifeline: If you are experiencing emotional distress you can call Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phoning 13 11 14 or use chat or text resources.
  • ReachOut: You can call ReachOut which has phone numbers for all age groups here for urgent help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as using discussions and tools.
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