Specialist Covid-19 Assessment and Therapy
For people experiencing mild, moderate or severe issues following a diagnosis of Covid-19.
Clinical psychologists are trained to work within the biopsychosocial model of healthcare. When applying this approach to your recovery from Covid-19 your assessment will focus on the following:
- Psychological – anxiety, panic, low mood, post-traumatic stress, unreal memories, poor sleep, nightmares
- Functional – cognitive difficulties including memory issues, fatigue, activities of daily living
- Physical – changes in cardiac and pulmonary function, compromised immune system, effects of sedation
- Social – family/friends support, relatives distress, social isolation
Your comprehensive Clinical Psychology assessment will also include completing brief screening questionnaires to explore the following:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms
- Cognitive difficulties (if you’re experiencing these)
You will then be offered the following interventions tailored to your individual needs using various evidence-based psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation approaches:
- Information about the impact and consequences of Covid-19
- Psychological support to explain the causes around how you’re feeling
- Support for emotional issues
- Cognitive-behavioural approaches to recovery
- Interventions to help you overcome your worries and fears
- Advice on compensating for cognitive difficulties (e.g., memory strategies)
- Involvement of relatives or other social relationships (if this would be helpful)
Note: Assessment may take longer than one session dependent on the nature of your difficulties. For example, if you’re experiencing memory issues, a cognitive assessment will be completed with you in your second session.
Your assessment will be completed in accordance with the following guidance:
British Psychological Society. (2020). Meeting the psychological needs of people recovering from severe coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Covid Trauma Response Working Group. (2020). Co-ordinating a trauma-informed response to Covid-19.
Now accepting GP or self-referrals if you are:
- A health care worker
- Coming to terms with grief and loss of a loved one
- "Cocooning" at home
- Experiencing changes in your life due to Covid-19 (e.g. anxiety, unemployment)
Self-help Advice
Department of Health: Getting Through this Together
http://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/?referrer=/together/
HSE: Advice on How to Mind Your Mental Health
http://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/
Emerging Minds: Advice for parents, carers & people working with children & young people
http://emergingminds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19_advice-for-parents-and-carers_20.3_.pdf
© Photo by Brittany Rose Bush
Self-care Ideas
Here are a few ideas to support your emotional and physical wellbeing:
Go out for a walk, cycle or run – 30-45 minutes of outdoor exercise each day, if you can
Limit the amount of news you read or watch – decide on a specific time to check in on the news
Eat well & healthy and have that slice of cake with a cup of tea
Remember to stop and breathe – five cycles of breathing: in for 4 out for 6 and rest for 2
Try an exercise class on YouTube– e.g., yoga with Adrienne for Beginners, stretching, pilates
Practice gratitude – notice three things you’re grateful for each day no matter how small and write in a copy book/journal – what am I grateful for today?
Drink plenty of liquids – water, herbal teas, create new juices
Reach out and stay connected with others via phone, Skype/Facebook video link or text and agree regular check-in times
Sleep well trying to get your ideal number of hours – Insight Timer (free App) offers many relaxation, sleep and mindfulness practices to help you sleep better
Work through your to-do-list – it may end up feeling like quite a productive time
Create a balance with having routine and structure to your day by adding something new in
Read that book you’ve been meaning to or learn a new song on your instrument
Ground yourself in activities – mindfulness colouring, DIY jobs, plant herb/vegetable seeds, macramé, change a room around, spring clean, car maintenance, try out a new recipe
Watch comedy/movies/inspiring documentaries on TV, YouTube, Netflix
Take a moment to be in the here-and-now watching the clouds pass by in the sky, the rustling of the trees in the wind and the tweeting of birdsong
Above all else, be compassionate and kind to yourself during this difficult time.
Disclaimer: This is not intended as personal therapy
