Cancer Psychology
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1. About us
We offer specialist psychological support for adults living with cancer who are currently receiving their main cancer care from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This support is for those experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties related to their cancer diagnosis or treatment
What We Know
- Cancer affects more than just physical health—it can impact family, work, social life, and appearance.
- These changes can cause strong emotions like low mood, anger, fear and significant distress.
What We Offer
- A safe, compassionate space to talk about your feelings and challenges related to cancer.
- Support from professionals trained in delivering specialist psychological care.
- Help to learn new ways to manage psychological difficulties related to cancer.
- Evidence-based, time limited psychological treatments tailored to your needs.
- Collaboration with medical teams.
- Training, supervision, and consultancy for healthcare colleagues.
What We Can Help With
- Managing anxiety or panic attacks.
- Handling feelings of anger.
- Coping with low mood or sadness.
- Adjusting to change, loss, and your diagnosis.
- Addressing worries or fears about the future.
- Making decisions about treatment and medication.
- Managing demands at home and with family.
- Coping with pain, fatigue, and treatment side effects.
- Dealing with the impact of cancer on relationships.
- Addressing concerns about your appearance.
- Supporting your self-esteem.
2. Cancer Psychology team
- Dr Hannah Gormley Consultant Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Jaime Wood Clinical Psychologist, Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Mindfulness Teacher
- Dr Claire Spence - Clinical Psychologist
- Rachel Rawlinson. Counsellor for Cancer Psychological Services
3. What to Expect for Your First Appointment
- The purpose of your first appointment is to get an understanding of the difficulties and how these are affecting your life. We’ll talk about what your priorities and goals are. Appointments usually last 50 minutes.
- Sometimes, the first consultation may be enough to meet your needs. We will discuss with you whether you might benefit from further sessions. There may be other services that would be more suitable, and we will be able to direct or refer you to these if so.
Confidentiality
- We do our best to keep what you share confidential. Our notes are kept separate from your medical records. We’ll write a short summary of your difficulties for your healthcare team, and we’ll talk to you about this in your first appointment. If we believe there’s a risk of harm to you or others, we may need to share your information but we will try to discuss this with you first.
4. Where will the service be offered?
Appointments are available at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital. We can also offer telephone appointments and remote video appointments using our secure service. We will try to offer you a choice and will discuss this with you by telephone when we arrange your first appointment.
5. How can you be referred to the service?
If you feel that you would benefit from this service, please talk to a member of your cancer team, such as your consultant or clinical nurse specialist who can give you more information and make a referral if appropriate.
6. Contact Us
Our secretary can be contacted on 01484 34 6030. Please leave a message if you reach the voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
7. Other useful information
- Samaritans Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress and despair.
- Macmillan cancer support - right there with you Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk 0808 808 00 00 access further information from Macmillan on managing your emotions
- Family and carer support services Carers UK: Provide advice and information for carers. www.carersuk.org Carers UK advice line: 0808 808 7777 (open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm)
- A charity organisation that provides information, advice, education, training and employment opportunities for carers. Telephone no:
- In Crisis Need Help