Psychologists

The clinical psychologist works as part of the interdisciplinary health-care team and uses standardized assessments to assist in diagnosis and management of various neurocognitive (dementias, acquired brain injuries) and mental health disorders.

The clinical psychologist can also help residents who are having difficulty coping with unpleasant thoughts and feelings or who are behaving in a way that they would like to change.

Certain thoughts, feelings, or behaviours may be symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Using psychoeducation, a clinical psychologist can help you, or your loved one, sort these thoughts, feelings or behaviours and better understand your mental condition.

Clinical psychologists help you learn to cope more effectively with stressful life events, chronic pain, grief and loss, addictions/substance use, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health problems by using a variety of techniques based on the best available research, as well as your unique values, goals and circumstances.

For residents with cognitive impairment, the clinical psychologist also assesses the need for behavioural supports and works with the health-care team in developing interventions to reduce risk to these residents and others.

Clinical psychology services are available by referral within the seven long-term care facilities of the St. John’s region. Referrals are prioritized according to regional priority guidelines and higher priority referrals are generally not wait-listed.

Your health-care team in long-term care will refer you to a clinical psychologist if they think a psychology assessment would be helpful. If you are feeling depressed, nervous, or having other mental health symptoms, you should talk to your nurse or social worker who may then refer for clinical psychology services.