The role of the psychologist in the successful treatment of illness, pain and other medical conditions has become increasingly prominent. While there is no definite pattern, the following list of presenting psychological/behavioural symptoms are not uncommon:

• Chronic pain: The patient may present with depression, helplessness, hopelessness, suicidal tendencies, drug and/or alcohol dependency.
• Hypochondriasis: The patient may present with low self-esteem, social dependency, anxiety.
• Migraine or constant headaches: The patient may present with anxiety, stress, poor self-management techniques (including time management and delegation of responsibilities).
• Eating Disorders: The patient may present with denial, low self-esteem, social dependency, poor disclosure techniques.
• Head injuries: The patient may present with poor self control, behavioural problems, depression, learning and memory difficulties.
  

MANY OF THESE MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND RELATED SYMPTOMOLOGY
CAN BE MINIMISED WITH THE AID OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

The clinicians at the R.E.A.D. Clinic not only provide treatment and therapy for the psychological component of illness. They can also assist in many other areas including:

ASSESSMENT

• Neuropsychological assessment
• Medico-legal assessment
• Educational assessment
• reading
• gifted and talented
• repetition and acceleration
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) assessment
• Off-road driving assessment
• Competency and guardianship assessment
• Victim compensation assessment
  

COUNSELLING

• Stress management
• Grief counselling
• Post natal depression
• Post traumatic stress counselling
• Marriage guidance
• Child management techniques
• Counselling after stroke or debilitating illness or accident
• Management of pseudo seizures
• Vocational career guidance

THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION

• Pain management techniques