Long COVID Psychology
On this page
1. About us
Our service offers specialist psychological and emotional support to help people to manage the impact of Long COVID. We work as a core part of the Post-COVID Assessment Multi-Disciplinary Teams in both Calderdale and Huddersfield.
As clinical psychologists, we are trained to understand the effects of having a health condition on our emotional wellbeing. We help people through talking therapies to manage this through helping with understanding and finding helpful ways to cope with the challenges that they are facing. Our service uses compassion, mindfulness and values-informed approaches to therapy.
We are an integral part of the Long COVID team, which means that we can support people with their psychological needs alongside their physical and medical needs. We meet regularly with other clinicians in the Post-COVID MDT to talk about how we can best support people as a team, and sometimes offer joint appointments. We also offer teaching, training and supervision to our colleagues, to support the psychological care of people living with Long COVID.
This service focuses on supporting people with the psychological impact of Long COVID. Where a person has pre-existing mental health difficulties or needs that would be best met by a different kind of service, we can help to signpost elsewhere.
2. Meet the team
Our Long COVID Psychology Service is provided by a Clinical Psychologist (HCPC Registered) and a secretary
Dr Emma Bishop - Clinical Psychologist (HCPC Registered)
Secretary - Kirsty Sharp
3. What can you expect at your appointment?
Psychological therapy is time limited and involves working on a particular concern or need over a period of regular sessions.
We meet for an initial assessment session to talk about a person's current concerns and consider together whether psychological therapy could be helpful. We would discuss goals and hopes for therapy, and also consider the therapy approach that would best meet a person's needs.
Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly or fortnightly depending on the nature of a person's difficulties and life circumstances.
We sometimes offer a single assessment session, particularly where someone has complex medical and or physical needs that may need supporting in other services. This allows us to do an assessment together, and share our understanding with the MDT, GP or other support services.
4. Where will the service be offered?
Outpatient appointments usually take place Calderdale Royal Hospital or Allan House in Sowerby Bridge. We can also offer remote appointments by telephone or video call where this is needed.
5. How can you be referred to the service?
We accept referrals from the specialist Long COVID Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in Calderdale and Huddersfield. People who are experiencing symptoms would need to be assessed by the Long COVID team, which can be arranged by a person's GP. This is important to ensure that any medical investigations can be arranged, and also allows access to other support available through Long COVID services. We offer a team approach, which includes Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and group courses, depending on individual needs.
6. Contact Us
Our secretary can be reached on 01422 222058 Monday to Friday between 8:30am-4pm.
7. Useful links and additional information
- Samaritans Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress and despair. www.samaritans.org 116 123
- What is Post-COVID Syndrome / Long COVID? https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/post-covid-syndrome-long-covid/
- https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/
- Managing worries, low mood and memory difficulties: https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/i-think-i-have-long-covid/effects-on-your-mind/
