Our Services A - Z - Clinical Psychology Department
About the service
The Clinical Health Psychology team supports people whose physical health condition and /or medical treatment is negatively affecting their psychological wellbeing. Our clinical aim is to reduce distress. Our team are trained to help you understand these difficulties. We offer a variety of methods of psychological support including psychological therapy aimed at supporting you to manage the impact of your health condition so that you can maintain your quality of life.
“The staff in your Clinical Psychology department are amazing. They’re so friendly and I always feel at ease when I visit. This is an extremely valuable service and I’m grateful to have had access to it.”
We support people with a range of difficulties related to their health condition, including:
- Difficulty coming to terms with, or adjusting to a diagnosis
- Struggling to cope with uncertainty or life-changes brought about by illness
- Feelings of anxiety, trauma or depression related to physical health
- Struggling to cope with cognitive, functional and / or physical changes related to a health condition (e.g. memory problems, speech and language difficulties, movement limitations, appearance concerns)
- Managing symptoms (e.g. pain, fatigue, nausea) related to a health condition and / or medical treatment
- Anxiety about coping with forth-coming medical or surgical procedures
- Decision-making about treatment or elective procedures
- Making lifestyle changes that maintain and improve health
Psychologists are not medical doctors or psychiatrists, therefore we cannot prescribe medication. We use a range of evidenced-based methods of psychological support including talking therapies to best meet the needs of each individual.
Related Services
Clinical Psychology Department Statement of Purpose
‘To treat the psychological needs of those experiencing physical health adversity to the highest standards with the aim of improving our users quality of life’
What people are saying about us
"The best department accessed in 56 years of receiving healthcare!"
"I was treated with dignity and respect throughout the sessions I had with my psychologist and by other staff whom I encountered in the department. Absolutely – 5 star excellence"
"Very understanding of my situation at all times. Was listened to by my psychologist with patience and empathy and given strategies and techniques to help me concentrate / focus on day to day living and enjoying life again."
"I would recommend anyone to this service. All the staff are wonderful."
"I was able to discuss issues in a safe space and have been able to work with the therapist to tackle past trauma, challenged to push through barriers that kept me stuck and have developed effective coping strategies to improve my overall mental health."
"All staff were very welcoming. The therapy sessions were incredibly beneficial in helping me to move forward and to re-frame previous negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviours."
"Very supportive and informative. Felt very acknowledged and listened to. Staff are all very welcoming and kind."
"I felt listened to. I had non-judgemental help to reassess my thinking patterns and examine them in detail and helped to take action to change them. I also felt cared for and encouraged to take care of myself."
"I feel I received a great deal of input that was far beyond my expectation. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had this therapy and it is leading to many changes for the better in my thinking and ability to deal with a range of issues not only related to my diabetes."
Selection of comments received via patient feedback January 2024 to January 2025
- Meet the team
Dr Leila Eccles, Clinical Psychology Manager, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.
I qualified from The University of Liverpool and since this have specialised in trauma, older age psychiatry, dementia, mental capacity and burns. I joined the Trust in April 2021.
My interests clinically are in trauma work, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am passionate about patient care being at the centre of all decisions, well led services and psychology led care.
Dr Helen Burns, Principal Clinical Psychologist.
I trained at the University of Liverpool and since qualifying I have spent my career solely working into Clinical Health Psychology services with adults across the lifespan. I have worked in many clinical health specialities in various hospital trusts, and I joined the Clinical Psychology department in February 2018.
Clinically I work with adults and utilise a vast range of therapeutic techniques which I adapt to the needs of my patients. I enjoy working with both patients and the clinical teams which support them to provide the best possible outcomes for my patients.
Dr Louise Fairburn, Principal Clinical Psychologist
I qualified from the University of Liverpool. I have worked in the field of Clinical Health Psychology since qualification, specialising in oncology. I joined the Trust in February 2022 and work into adult services.
I am interested in therapies such as ACT and Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). I work with people to help them to navigate and understand the life changes that a physical health condition can often bring, and to support them to live a valued and meaningful life despite these challenges.
Dr Ami Brooks, Senior Paediatric Clinical Psychologist
I qualified from the University of Staffordshire. Since this I have specialised in paediatric chronic health (particularly type 1 diabetes) with previous experience working in CAMHS, early years (including parenting and attachment interventions), developmental trauma and adoption services. I also have research experience in neuroatypicalities and cognitive assessment, infant attachment, developmental trauma, self-harm in adolescents and psychosocial outcomes of children with genetic disorders. I joined the Trust in September 2021 and work in paediatric diabetes, Tourette’s, epilepsy, and respiratory services.
My main interests clinically are working systemically with families and teams, alongside one to one therapeutic work using ACT, Solution focused, Narrative and EMDR therapies. I work creatively and collaboratively with young people of all ages and believe that every interaction can be therapeutic.
Dr Sharon Cook, Senior Health Psychologist
I completed my Clinical Health Psychology training with Staffordshire University and the University of Liverpool. Since qualifying I have worked in various NHS Trusts around the Northwest specialising in supporting people with chronic and / or life-limiting health conditions including Specialist Cancer and Palliative Care services. I joined the Clinical Psychology Department in November 2018.
I enjoy working collaboratively with patients to explore the impact of their health condition on their quality of life and to find a way forward. Clinically I use a range of different therapy approaches to achieve this with a particular interest in third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies including ACT, CFT and MCT. I am also passionate about using psychological research to enhance clinical care.
Dr Jade Spinosa, Senior Clinical Psychologist.
I completed the Clinical Psychology Doctorate at Liverpool University. I have worked in the NHS for many years and while my job title has changed over time, my focus has always been supporting people with their mental wellbeing. I joined the Clinical Psychology Department at St Helens Hospital in 2017.
Currently, I work with adults to support them with the emotional impact of changes to their physical health. I enjoy so many things about my job but most of all, helping people develop the tools to live life according to what is most important to them.
Dr Heather Boland, Clinical Psychologist
I qualified from Leicester University. Previously I have worked in Adult Mental Health services, Maternal Mental Health, and with Children and Adolescents services. I joined the Trust in May 2023 and work into adult services.
I am interested in therapies such as CFT, ACT, Narrative therapy, and Systemic approaches. I enjoy helping people to feel compassionate towards themselves. While working in this department I hope to assist people to feel connected to and understood by the support systems around them.
Dr Stephanie Dugdale, Health Psychologist.
I qualified from Staffordshire University and have previously worked with substance misuse services and in cardiology settings. I joined the Trust in May 2023 and work into adult services.
Clinically I am interested in ACT and CFT. I enjoy working with patients to help them to meet their therapeutic goals, with a compassionate mindset, and with consideration of the physical, mental, and social aspects that make up health.Dr Sarah Montrose, Senior Clinical Psychologist.
I qualified from the University of Edinburgh and have previously worked in neurorehabilitation services and older adult community mental health teams. I joined the Trust in September 2022 and work into adult services.
Clinically my Interests are in compassion focused therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. I am passionate about supporting people to develop a compassionate mind to support them in their physical health journey.
Dr Faromarz Nasiri, Clinical Psychologist
I completed the Clinical Psychology Doctorate at Lancaster University, and have experience of working with adults and older adults in different mental health settings. I joined the Trust in September 2023 and work in adult services.
Clinically, my areas of interest relate to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I work integratively to ensure the patient is at the heart of the care I provide, helping them to work through and cope with the psychological impact of their physical health journey.
Lorna Parks, Trainee Health Psychologist
I’m currently on a two-year placement with the trust and studying for my qualification as a Health Psychologist at Staffordshire University. I joined the trust in October 2022, working into adult services.
I’m interested in ACT, CFT and using health psychology models to support people living with health condition
Al Finney, Clinical Psychology Secretary
I have been Clinical Psychology Secretary since 2006. I have worked for the Trust for 24 years and prior to that, I worked five years in a Doctor’s Surgery.
I really enjoy being part of the Clinical Psychology Team and I enjoy meeting our patients, and helping people, which is a big part of my role.
Gillian Price, Clinical Psychology Secretary
I have worked at this Trust for 28 years and have been a Clinical Psychology Secretary since 2006.
I enjoy being part of this hard-working team and a friendly helpful face to everyone that visits our department.
We regularly have Trainee Clinical Psychologists on placement who you may see as part of your treatment. Trainee Clinical Psychologists are undertaking their Doctorate in Clinical Psychology; the final stage of their training before they qualify as a Clinical Psychologist. During placement they are supervised by a Qualified Psychologist from our team.
- Accessing the Service
We are able to accept referrals from people in the following specialty areas:
- Burns & Plastics
- Cancer
- Pain Management Programme for patients with a Knowsley GP
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- HIV
- IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
- ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
- MRI (Medical Resonance Imaging) anxiety
- Stroke
- Urology
Please Note: The above specialities may have differing catchment areas and /or referral criteria
We are unable to accept self-referrals.
If you feel you would benefit from Clinical Health Psychology – please discuss this with a member of your hospital medical team or your GP and ask them to contact us.
If at any point you feel you are struggling to cope or you feel in crisis with your mental health please contact your GP for an urgent appointment. If you need urgent support outside of GP hours, please call 111. In an emergency you can call 999 or go to your local Accident and Emergency department.
If you have been referred to the Bariatric Psychology service, please click here to be directed to the Bariatric Psychology page.
- Location and Contact details
The Clinical Psychology Department is based in the Orange Zone on the Lower Ground Floor of St Helens Hospital. Outpatient Clinics are held Monday to Friday generally within the department, or in Specialist Clinics at Whiston Hospital.
We also offer a limited service to inpatients on the wards at Whiston Hospital.
We are based at:
The Clinical Psychology Department
Lower Ground Floor, Orange Zone,
St Helens Hospital,
Marshalls Cross Road,
St Helens
Merseyside WA9 3DATelephone: 01744 646 864
- Patient Information Leaflets
Title - Accessing Psychological Support for People with Cancer
Description - Being diagnosed with cancer can be an extremely difficult and stressful time. Almost everyone will feel shocked and upset at first. For many people these feelings improve over time with support from their healthcare team, family and friends.Title - Help with big feelings about your health Information for children - primary school
Description - Having a health condition can be really hard work. Sometimes you find it easy to do all of the things you need to do to look after your health. Other times, it might make you feel really sad, angry, worried or fed up. Sometimes you have other things going on in your life that makes you feel stressed or sad, like problems at school, with friends or family.Title - Psychological Support after a Stroke
Description - Having a stroke can be a shocking and difficult experience. It can impact on different things like walking, talking, eating, drinking and moving. It can also have more “hidden” effects on thinking, planning, memory, solving problems, relationships and emotions.Title - Psychological support for people who have experienced a traumatic event
Description - After a traumatic experience, the brain must work very hard to process the memories of the event. This is incredibly difficult especially if there is any threat to our survival. In order to do this, the mind replays the event in the days to weeks following.Title - Psychological support for people with chronic pain
Description - Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months. Chronic pain could occur after surgery, or injury but persists after the normal healing process is complete. Chronic pain can also occur with no obvious initial injury or event. It is also a common feature of conditions such as fibromyalgia syndrome.
Page last updated on 11th February 2025
